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Lagos State’s Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, has said that the renewal of established cities such as Lagos must go beyond rebuilding roads and buildings to restoring their ability to deliver dependable services, with reliable electricity at the centre of that effort.

Delivering the lead presentation at a panel on Urban Renewal, Regeneration and the Transformation of Older Cities at [event name, venue and date], Ogunleye framed regeneration as a systems problem rather than a construction exercise.

‘An older city does not need a new identity. It needs a new operating system,’ he said. ‘Renewal is not the demolition of the past. It is the restoration of the city’s ability to serve the future.’

Six pressures on older districts

Citing UN-Habitat’s World Cities Report 2024, the Commissioner identified six pressures reshaping established urban districts: ageing and overloaded power, water and sanitation networks; climate exposure from flooding, heat and stressed drainage; conflicting demands on land from housing, commerce and mobility; housing affordability, overcrowding and tenure insecurity; fragmented governance across agencies, utilities and capital; and the loss of heritage and livelihoods to poorly managed renewal.

In response, he outlined a six-part framework for what he called ‘genuine regeneration’, covering physical infrastructure, utilities (power, water, waste and digital), economic activity, social protection and housing, cultural heritage, and climate resilience.

He pointed to ongoing road, drainage and collector reconstruction across parts of Lagos Island as a live example. The aim, he said, is to reduce recurring flooding and improve movement and commerce in the historic core, while managing disruption, coordinating utility relocation and safeguarding traders and heritage.

The generator economy

Ogunleye described unreliable electricity as ‘the invisible constraint’ on urban productivity. Drawing on a 2024 study by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Lagos State Government, he noted that an estimated 4.5 million fossil-fuel generator sets operate in the state, that the grid met only about 20 per cent of electricity demand in the study, and that generators produce an estimated 39 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.

‘The generator is not merely a backup device; at scale, it becomes an expensive parallel urban infrastructure system,’ he said.

The shift Lagos needs, he argued, is from a ‘generator-powered district’ marked by high fuel costs, noise, pollution and uneven reliability, to a ‘serviced district’ with networked electricity, shared infrastructure, measured service standards and utility planning linked to land use. Dependable energy infrastructure, he said, should be located where people already live, work and trade.

Reform before scale

The Commissioner traced the state’s institutional groundwork to the 2024 Lagos State Electricity Law, followed by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) and the Lagos Independent System Operator (LAISO) in 2025-26. Work on investment, licensing, contracting and consumer protection is ongoing.

‘An energy market is an instrument of urban policy, not an end in itself,’ he said.

He cited two projects that show what neighbourhood-scale implementation could look like. Victoria Island Power, a commercial district upgrade with 40MW of planned embedded capacity and a 12.6km dedicated underground feeder network to supply local businesses, is under development and not yet operational. The Akute independent power plant, an existing dormant asset with 26MW of base contracted capacity, is set for rehabilitation under a concession agreement in 2026 to supply public services.

People must be able to stay

Ogunleye insisted that the true test of regeneration is whether existing residents can remain and prosper. He set out a social compact built on four commitments: protecting renters, traders and vulnerable households through open consultation and fair procedures; preserving significant architecture and neighbourhood identity; including affordable housing, accessible public space and livelihood opportunities in plans; and staging works to protect access, utilities, safety and trading during construction.

‘Regeneration without inclusion risks becoming displacement with better architecture,’ he warned.

Making neighbourhoods investable

On financing, he proposed that districts be planned as single units, with roads, drainage, power, water and land use coordinated before procurement. Public capital should fund common goods, while private and public-private partnership (PPP) capital funds service assets. Contracts should pay for outcomes such as reliability, maintenance and resilience, not just construction, and affordability and local commerce should be ring-fenced.

He also presented an illustrative three-stage playbook, which he stressed is not a set of announced government deadlines. It would begin with a diagnosis phase of up to 12 months, mapping infrastructure, flood risk, residents, traders and power demand. A delivery phase from 12 to 36 months would bundle priority works and pilot district energy zones. After 36 months, a scale-up phase would replicate what works and use performance data to attract more capital. Progress would be tracked through power reliability, flood disruption, business continuity, affordability and resident satisfaction.

He closed with a challenge to policymakers and investors: ‘Do not just rebuild the city. Renew what the city can do.’ The goal, he said, is a Lagos that is more resilient, more inclusive and more productive.

The Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) runs 25-26 November at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel. The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) organises it, with support from SolarPower Europe. It follows editions in Cape Town, Nairobi and Accra.

The forum is under the patronage of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Abba Aliyu, managing director of REA, will give the keynote at the opening plenary on 25 November.

A market that has grown quickly

Nigeria is West Africa’s largest solar market, with about 618 MWp of operational capacity. That ranks first in the region and eighth in Africa. It leads the continent in mini-grids with 132 MWp, more than double second-placed Angola. It is fourth in Africa for commercial and industrial solar, with roughly 385 MWp tracked by AFSIA. About 76% of operational capacity was commissioned from 2022 onwards.

Policy and money are following. REA’s $750 million World Bank-backed DARES programme targets 1,350 solar mini-grids and better electricity access for 17.5 million people. Construction has started in several states, helped by new NERC Mini-Grid Regulations issued in April.

The $300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund, run by NSIA and Africa50, launched commercially in September. It will finance mini-grids, standalone solar and other distributed projects.

On manufacturing, Nigeria’s first privately owned 100 MW module assembly plant is operating in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. REA, InfraCorp and Solarge are developing a 1 GW factory. REA has committed to buying at least 200 MW of its modules a year for five years.

Under NERC’s Net Billing Regulations 2026, eligible solar customers can export surplus power to the grid and earn credits. Oversight of electricity markets has also passed to 16 states, Lagos among them. For single-state projects, licences and tariffs now come from state commissions.

What’s on the agenda

Sessions will cover why permitted, contracted utility-scale projects are still waiting for financial close, and how productive-use loads improve mini-grid returns. They will also look at corporate power purchase agreements and storage, and at why telecoms, mining and data centres are becoming bankable power customers. Other streams cover e-mobility fleets, blended finance structures for currency and offtake risk, and counterfeit solar products. B2B matchmaking runs on both days alongside an exhibition.

REFA says earlier editions drew 325 attendees, 41 speakers and 25 partners, and led to 972 B2B meetings. Developers and financiers made up more than half of 2025 attendees.

On the evening of 25 November, the AFSIA Awards will honour projects and companies across 14 categories.

Industry voices

‘Nigeria’s clean energy ecosystem is growing at an unprecedented pace,’ Aliyu said. ‘The nation’s transition to a sustainable energy future requires more than ambition; it requires investment, strong partnerships, and the development of our local manufacturing ecosystem.’

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, called Nigeria ‘one of West Africa’s most dynamic markets for renewable energy development,’ with momentum around solar, storage and local value creation.

Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO of the Africa Minigrid Developers Association, said distributed renewables are increasingly positioned to power productive enterprises and support Africa’s industrialisation ambitions.

Equipment makers are also backing the event. Jinko Solar is Diamond Partner. JA Solar, AIKO, Zimmermann PV-Steel Group, AlphaESS, KUKA Cable and Sungrow are also partners. Max Luo, regional manager at AlphaESS, said storage can help businesses ‘get more from solar while using less diesel.’

The need for Nigeria to strengthen local pharmaceutical production, expand access to essential medicines and improve preparedness for epidemics and pandemics took a centre stage at a side event during the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

The programme was hosted by 10Generation, in partnership with the Institute of Scientology as well as Word Mission Foundation in New York.

The event brought attention to the relationship between pharmaceutical manufacturing, public health education and Africa’s capacity to prevent and manage future health emergencies.

Moderated by international broadcast and multimedia Journalist, Lydia Enyidiya Eke, the discussion examined the opportunities for Nigeria to strengthen its pharmaceutical industry, serve its domestic market more effectively and position locally manufactured medicines for eligible regional and international markets.

A central issue was the need to look beyond Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical market and explore the country’s potential to become a stronger participant in the global pharmaceutical industry.

With Africa’s population approaching 1.5 billion, the continent represents a substantial market for medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other essential healthcare products.

However, converting this demand into improved health outcomes requires investment in manufacturing capacity, research, quality assurance, infrastructure and effective regulation.

The discussion however, highlighted the importance of building local capacity to meet healthcare needs while ensuring that pharmaceutical products intended for international markets satisfy the relevant safety, quality and regulatory requirements.

Beyond manufacturing, the programme addressed the importance of preparing Nigeria and other African countries to prevent, detect and manage epidemics and pandemics.

The panelists who spoke included President and Founder, World Mission Foundation who is the main Representative to the UN ECOSOC, Ambassador Anthony.

Others were Fadja Robert-Carr, of 10 Generation and Nicole Berth, Community Affairs, Institute of Scientology.

The speakers noted that health emergencies could expose weaknesses in medicine supply chains, healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance and public communication.

Strengthening these systems before an outbreak occurs is therefore an important part of building national and regional health security.

Expanding reliable local pharmaceutical production could contribute to this effort by diversifying sources of essential medicines and reducing exposure to international supply disruptions.

Nevertheless, effective preparedness also requires trained health personnel, laboratory capacity, emergency response systems and coordinated public health policies.

The conversation underscored the importance of treating preparedness as a continuous responsibility rather than an activity undertaken only when an outbreak emerges.

Public Health Communication as a Prevention Tool was also a part of the panel discussion.

Public service announcements and sustained health enlightenment campaigns equally featured among the issues highlighted during the programme.

Radio, television, digital media and community communication channels can help people understand disease risks, recognise the importance of prevention and obtain reliable information about appropriate health practices.

Effective communication is particularly important during epidemics and pandemics, when misinformation and delayed access to credible information can complicate public health responses.

The discussion pointed to the need for accurate, accessible and actionable public health messages that reach people across different communities.

For Nigeria, this means strengthening collaboration among health authorities, medical professionals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers and the media.

Public health communication must also be supported by accessible healthcare services so that people can act on the information they receive.

Another important dimension of the discussion was the need to place disease prevention at the centre of healthcare planning.

Prevention includes immunisation, sanitation, health education, screening, early diagnosis and access to appropriate medical interventions. These measures can reduce avoidable illness and help ease pressure on healthcare facilities.

The right to health is recognised within international human rights frameworks, although the specific legal obligations and mechanisms for implementation differ across countries.

This makes the responsibility to provide reliable health information, strengthen preventive services and improve access to essential healthcare an important issue for policymakers and public health institutions.

Moderating the discussion, Eke brought her experience in broadcast journalism, editorial leadership and public-interest communication to a conversation connecting pharmaceutical development with health security and public enlightenment.

Her participation reflects the role of professional moderators and journalists in facilitating conversations on issues with implications for public policy, economic development and the well-being of communities.

The issues raised at the Manhattan programme point to the importance of a coordinated approach to Africa’s health future.

Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry requires an enabling environment for responsible investment, innovation, quality manufacturing and regulatory compliance. At the same time, health systems need sustained investment in preparedness, prevention and public communication.

Governments, manufacturers, research institutions, healthcare professionals and media organisations all have roles to play in advancing these priorities.

For Nigeria and the wider African continent, the challenge is to translate market potential into stronger production capacity, and public health knowledge into practical preventive action.

The broader message is that health security cannot depend exclusively on responding to emergencies.

It must be built through sustained investment in local capacity, effective healthcare systems and informed communities.

Sanjo Faniyan, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) National Consultant on Food Security and Food Systems analyst, has said that Nigeria was making significant progress in implementing the United Nations Food Systems Transformation pathways.

Faniran, who is the immediate past National Convenor for the Implementation of UN Food Systems Transformation in Nigeria, spoke on the sidelines of the Southwest Zonal Review Meeting held in Lagos.

According to him, the food systems transformation initiative started in 2021 on the recommendation of the UN Secretary-General, directing member countries to examine issues affecting their food systems.

‘The food system is the interconnectedness of all the food value chains. It’s not only agriculture; we are looking at all the food value chains. Nigeria went around all the states and came up with recommendations which were presented by President Muhammadu Buhari in New York on September 23, 2021,’ Faniran explained.

He noted that it was thereafter agreed that every two to three years, there would be a review of implementation by all UN member countries. The first review was held in 2023 and the second in 2025, both led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

On implementation so far, Faniran said: ‘So far so good. States have cooperated.’

He disclosed that to ensure nationwide coverage, the country adopted a geopolitical zonal arrangement with one coordinating state per zone – Lagos for South-West, Kano for North-West, Borno for North-East, Enugu for South-East, Cross River for South-South and Kwara (Ilorin) for North-Central.

‘With this arrangement, it is easy to decentralize coordination. The report on implementation will be obtained from the coordinating states and all states in the zone will come together to give information on what they have done so far, where are the gaps, capacity requirements and how the federal government and development partners can support,’ he said.

Faniran stressed that the focus goes beyond production to processing, storage and other components of the food value chain, adding that Nigeria has been ranked by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in Rome as one of the serious and committed countries.

Speaking on post-harvest losses, he said storage remains a major concern of the current administration. ‘The issue of storage has become very important. At the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, it is taken as an important segment of controlling food wastages. Lagos State is an example – it has created market hubs where agric products that would have been destroyed are taken for people to buy, sometimes subsidised by government,’ he said.

On how food systems translate to health, he noted that the end product of the food system is healthy diets and nutrition. ‘We are looking at food systems from farm to dining table. At the dining table, the food should be healthy. Good diet gives improved nutrition; improved nutrition improves human capital capacity. When you are healthy, productivity level is higher and contribution to economic growth is guaranteed,’ Faniran stated.

He also said the issue of insecurity affecting farming is being taken seriously by President Bola Tinubu, noting that recent presidential directives show renewed commitment to secure farmers and farming communities.

Isiaka Ibrahim, Food Systems and Nutrition Specialist with the FAO of the United Nations, said tangible steps have been taken by the Federal Government in collaboration with technical partners to transform Nigeria’s food systems.

He said after the 2021 zonal dialogues which culminated in the development of Nigeria’s Food Systems Pathways, 78 priorities were set for implementation.

‘This is a collaborative effort that all stakeholders participated in, including government. Secondly, the Federal Government validated the National Agric Food Investment Plan. Even if tangible transformation is not yet fully seen, key steps have been taken by government in collaboration with technical partners like FAO,’ he said.

Ibrahim noted that globally, the focus is now on technology, climate-smart agriculture, precision agriculture and innovation, including school farms and rooftop farming, as against practices that degrade the soil.

‘The way to go is to embrace technology and innovation and at the same time ensure facilities and infrastructure are in place to ensure timely processing and availability of all-year-round food,’ he said.

He disclosed that FAO is one of four key UN agencies implementing the Agrifood Systems Transformation and Innovation Project initiated by the Food Systems Coordination Hub in Rome, alongside UNICEF and others.

‘One of the key result areas is strengthening of food systems coordination in the country and that is what FAO is implementing. We want to take stock of progress Nigeria has made since the 2021 stock-taking and development of pathways – what achievements have been made by the coordinating states, what are the challenges, capacity gaps and how to develop state capacity, because implementation of food systems is actually at sub-national level,’ Ibrahim added.

Aradel Holdings Plc grew revenue more than sevenfold in the nine months to September 2026, but the expansion did not translate into stronger bottom-line earnings as rising finance costs and tax expenses weighed on profit.

The oil and gas group reported revenue of N3.95 trillion for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with N538.81 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. Gross profit rose to N1.66 trillion from N234.73 billion, while operating profit increased to N1.56 trillion from N167.53 billion.

However, finance costs climbed sharply to N841.13 billion from N21.39 billion, while tax expenses rose to N721.41 billion from N55.56 billion. Consequently, profit after tax fell 82.3 percent to N43.30 billion from N245.13 billion.

Profit after tax declined by 82.3 percent to N43.30 billion from N245.12 billion, while earnings per share dropped to N32.57 from N55.90.

The increase in finance costs was driven largely by the N529.10 billion unwinding of contingent consideration linked to the acquisitions of ND Western and Renaissance, alongside N251.06 billion in interest on bank borrowings. The unwinding charge is an accounting expense and should not be interpreted entirely as cash interest paid.

The revenue expansion also reflects a significantly larger business following Aradel’s acquisition of ND Western and Renaissance, completed on December 31, 2025. The 2026 figures therefore include businesses that were not consolidated on the same basis in the 2025 comparative period.

The enlarged group’s balance sheet reflected that expansion. Total assets rose to N10.76 trillion at September 2026 from N1.96 trillion a year earlier, while total liabilities increased to N8.81 trillion from N459.56 billion. Shareholders’ equity grew to N1.95 trillion from N1.50 trillion.

Cash and cash equivalents increased to N2.00 trillion from N411.83 billion. However, total borrowings also rose to approximately N1.51 trillion from N206.51 billion, reflecting the group’s larger financing structure.

Cash generation strengthened during the period. Net cash from operating activities reached N2.46 trillion, compared with N205.41 billion in the corresponding nine months of 2025. This was supported partly by a N1.38 trillion increase in trade and other payables, while the group paid N690.32 billion in taxes.

Investment spending also increased, with purchases of property, plant and equipment rising to N570.64 billion from N116.54 billion. Net cash used in financing activities widened to N1.32 trillion from N54.46 billion, reflecting outflows including interest, dividends, borrowing repayments and contingent consideration payments.

The company is generating substantially more revenue and operating cash, but facing a much heavier finance and tax burden as it integrates its enlarged business.

Aradel Holdings currently trades at N1439.9 and has a market capitalisation of N6.3 trillion; it has remained one of the most performing stocks on the stock exchange, returning 99.9 percent.

Taiwo Akinola, the presiding bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers, has called on the government, political leaders, institutions, and citizens to renew their commitment to justice, accountability, national unity, and people-centred governance, as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Akinola said Nigeria possesses enormous human and material resources, and urged the government to prioritize citizens’ welfare. ‘Nevertheless, persistent insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, healthcare deficiencies, substance abuse, and threats to food safety demand urgent and coordinated responses,’ he said.

According to him, the 2027 general elections offer Nigerians another opportunity to strengthen democratic institutions and demand responsible governance. He therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders to work towards peaceful, transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.

‘Vote-buying, intimidation, electoral violence, religious manipulation, and misinformation must be firmly discouraged. Young people as well as senior citizens, should complete the necessary voter registration procedures, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards where applicable, and participate responsibly in the electoral process,’ Akinola said.

He reiterated that the Church must remain non-partisan but never indifferent to justice, truth, and good governance. According to him, the Church must educate consciences rather than dictate political choices. ‘The true measure of political leadership is not the volume of campaign promises but the tangible improvement in citizens’ lives,’ Akinola said.

The Archbishop said the 2024 World Bank’s development indicators, which puts Nigeria’s life expectancy at birth to approximately 54.6 years, underscores the need for sustained improvements in healthcare delivery, nutrition, sanitation, and living conditions.

He added that healthcare expenditure must produce measurable improvements in service delivery, and that no Nigerian should be denied essential medical attention merely because of poverty.

Akinola reiterated that a healthy population is indispensable to human dignity, national productivity, and sustainable development. He said further that greater investment in preventive healthcare, immunisation, nutrition, sanitation, and mental health services is equally necessary.

‘We urge the government at all levels to prioritise functional primary healthcare centres, affordable health insurance, essential medicines, maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, and improved welfare for medical personnel.’

Speaking on the church’s forthcoming convention themed, ‘More Than Conquerors,’ Akinola, who is the Pastor-General, Rhema Christian Church and Towers, said the 35th convention of the ministry will bring believers from diverse backgrounds for spiritual renewal, sound biblical teaching, fervent prayers, worship, and life-transforming encounters with the supernatural power of God.

According to him, the theme reminds the congregation that national challenges, however formidable, must not become excuses for despair or inaction. He reiterated that the theme reminds the church and Nigerians at large that adversity cannot extinguish hope; difficulties must not destroy faith, and believers can triumph through the unfailing grace and power of Jesus Christ.

‘At a time when individuals, families, and nations confront formidable economic, social, and spiritual challenges, this message is particularly timely. For thirty-five years, God has graciously sustained this ministry in its divine assignment of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and raising a people of His power, purity, and purpose,’ Akinola said.

Yomi Akinyemi, chairman, Rhema World Convention 2026, said daily sessions will be held at 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m., with a special Hosanna Night of Power and Praise on Friday, November 6, by 9:00 p.m.

According to him, the grand finale will be held on Sunday, November 8, with special thanksgiving and special impartation service. ‘As we celebrate thirty-five years of God’s faithfulness – our message, ‘More Than Conquerors’ is one of faith, responsibility, courage, and hope. We call on political leaders to rise above selfish interests, institutions to rise above negligence, and citizens to rise above apathy,’ he said.

The Federal Government is considering integrating training programmes of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) into its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative as part of efforts to expand employment opportunities for young Nigerians and address skills shortages in the sports sector.

Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, disclosed this during a meeting with Philip Shaibu, Director-General of the NIS, where both officials discussed ways to align sports training with the Federal Government’s vocational skills development programme.

The proposed integration would provide young Nigerians with access to practical training in sports-related fields, including coaching, sports management, exercise science, sports medicine, facility maintenance and sports technology.

Alausa in a statement signed by Ikharo Attah, his Special Adviser (Media and Communications), said the initiative would help equip young people with employable skills while strengthening the capacity of Nigeria’s sports industry to generate jobs.

He explained that the ministry was exploring how existing NIS programmes could fit into the TVET framework, subject to the necessary consultations and approvals.

The minister said a common curricular framework would be developed in collaboration with relevant regulatory and professional bodies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), National Sports Commission and private-sector stakeholders.

The proposed curriculum would cover Sports and Exercise Science; Coaching and Development Science; Sports Management and Business; Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation; Sports Technology and Data Analytics; and Sports Law.

Basic training in coaching, sports instruction and sports-facility maintenance could also be incorporated, depending on programme requirements and approvals.

Alausa said the government was considering using NIS training centres across eight states to widen access to the proposed programmes. Training courses lasting up to six months could also be considered under the arrangement.

He said the TVET initiative had trained and graduated more than 250,000 Nigerians through approximately 1,200 centres within the preceding 12 to 18 months, with about 98 percent of the centres privately operated.

Participants in the programme receive a monthly stipend of ?30,000 during their training, he added.

The minister said extending the programme to sports-related occupations could create employment opportunities in areas such as groundskeeping, pitch maintenance, coaching and games instruction.

He also identified the need to build local capacity in sports services, noting that better-trained Nigerians could help reduce the sector’s reliance on foreign expertise and workers.

Shaibu, in his remarks, highlighted the shortage of qualified games masters and certified coaches in the country, describing it as a major challenge to sports development.

He said the NIS had expanded its training activities across the six geopolitical zones and graduated more than 1,000 coaches within a year.

According to him, the institute’s 2025-2035 strategic plan places emphasis on coach certification, groundsmen training and creating pathways for retiring athletes to acquire new skills and remain active in the sports industry.

Shaibu called for the integration of the institute’s basic training programmes into the national TVET initiative, saying the partnership would help address the shortage of skilled personnel while improving access to professional sports training.

The proposed collaboration is expected to link vocational training with employment opportunities across the sports value chain, although the scope and implementation framework will depend on further consultations between the relevant institutions.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has advised President Bola Tinubu to go return home to rest, saying he lacked the energy to govern

Obi made the call on Friday during the commissioning of the NDC State Secretariat and campaign office in Yenagoa, stressing that Nigeria needs a president and capacity to address the nation’s daunting challenges.

He insisted that Nigeria can no longer afford a leadership that lacked the energy required for effective governance and that Tinubu should abandon his re-election ambition.

The former Anambra State governor criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare and inadequate electricity supply in the country.

He described the prevailing socio-economic situation as troubling, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet their basic needs while access to essential services such as healthcare, education and employment remain major challenges.

‘Today, we have a country that produces the highest number of poor people in the world. Today, we have a country where our people are hungry. Nigerians don’t know where the next meal will come from,’ he said.

Obi expressed worry that some Nigerians had resorted to seeking spiritual intervention instead of medical treatment because of inadequate healthcare facilities, adding that the absence of quality schools and employment opportunities had further worsened the situation.

He assured Nigerians that the NDC is offering an alternative political direction anchored on national unity, security, production, accountability and economic opportunities.

‘We are telling you that NDC is coming to build a new Nigeria that is possible. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. We will start by uniting the country,’ he said.

He pledged that an NDC administration would tackle insecurity, strengthen public institutions and ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or geographical backgrounds, feel a sense of belonging.

Condemned the persistent cases of kidnapping and attacks on communities being witnessed across the nation, he promised a more decisive security response if elected.

Obi also promised to make public education accessible, saying his administration would work with state governments to provide classrooms and ensure free basic education at the primary and secondary levels.

On power supply, he pledged that an NDC government would produce, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity compared to about 4,000 megawatts currently being generated.

He further promised to support industries and small businesses, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians and proposed the development of seaports across the South-South region.

According to him, the proposed ports would serve areas including Warri, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Calabar, pledging improved road infrastructure to connect the states and stimulate economic activities.

Obi also took a swipe at the Federal Government over the country’s borrowing, challenging Tinubu to explain how the funds obtained through loans have been utilised.

He raised questions over President Tinubu’s reluctance to visit Bayelsa State for political campaign in spite of the state’s contributions to the country’s oil revenues.

Obi said it was unfair for a president to benefit from the resources generated from the Niger Delta without adequately engaging with the people and addressing their development concerns.

He also criticised Tinubu’s foreign travels, promising that, if elected, his own international engagements would be strictly in Nigeria’s interest and that Nigerians would be kept informed of his whereabouts.

Making a direct appeal for a change of leadership, Obi said: ‘The man is tired. He needs to go home. Tinubu must go and rest. We want him to go and rest.’

He added that Nigeria needs a government that is both accessible and accountable instead of one that is allegedly run around family interests.

Earlier, Henry Seriake Dickson, founder of the NDC and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Senate, urged Bayelsans to give Obi and all the party’s candidates in the state overwhelming electoral support.

The former governor of Bayelsa State accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promises to the people and criticised the ruling party for what he described as the poor political treatment of some individuals who had served in government.

He called on party members and supporters to mobilise across communities in Bayelsa State to secure support for the NDC candidates.

Dickson also cautioned supporters against intimidation and electoral violence, urging them to remain peaceful but resolute in defending their voting rights.

He said elections should be won through votes rather than the deployment of security personnel to intimidate voters.

‘We don’t do politics with violence. No weapon, no bullet. Overwhelm them with the sheer force in your community. Vote and you declare and you follow up,’ he told supporters.

Dickson said he had worked with Obi for about 25 years, describing their political relationship as one built on longstanding cooperation.

He urged the people to listen to Obi and support the party’s campaign, promising to join the mobilisation efforts across communities in the state.

Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor, has reiterated the importance of entrepreneurship to economic prosperity, noting that Nigeria’s natural resources alone could not guarantee prosperity without entrepreneurship, skills, knowledge and intensive production.

Makinde acknowledged the significance of having a growing group of businesses headquartered in Ibadan, and commended CapitalSage Holdings for its entrepreneurial journey and contributions to economic development in Oyo State and Nigeria.

‘Somebody has to take the risk on behalf of the people, so John Alamu and team, I congratulate you. I thank you for taking the risk on our behalf,’ he stated at the recent 10th anniversary and launch of CapitalSage Holdings’ new global headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He also pledged the state government’s continued support, while encouraging businesses and partners to work with the group. ‘When I was looking at your profile, I saw that you now have about 20 companies in the group. And those 20 companies are headquartered here.

‘I can assure you that we will continue to give our support as a government because we want you to continue to provide jobs and grow the economy of Oyo State,’ Makinde stated.

John Alamu, founded and group managing director, CapitalSage Holdings, stated that the new headquarters reinforces the group’s commitment to building from Nigeria while serving markets beyond its borders.

‘A business can have global ambitions without abandoning its roots. From Ibadan, we can build for Nigeria. From Nigeria, we can build for Africa. And from Africa, we can build for the world. That is what we are doing,’ Alamu stated.

He reiterated that the business started 10 years ago with personal conviction that problems could become businesses. ‘So, for us, the next ten years cannot simply be about becoming bigger.’

He disclosed that the next 10 years would be about creating generational wealth built on stronger, more enduring legacies. ‘We want to build businesses that a generation after us can inherit, improve and take further,’ Alamu stated.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, CapitalSage Holdings held a three-day public exhibition between October 29 and 31, 2026, at CapitalSage House, Kenneth Dike, Secretariat Road, Ibadan.

The exhibition opened daily at 10:00 a.m., allowing visitors to explore participating businesses, discover products and services, and engage directly with representatives across the group.

As CapitalSage Holdings enters its next decade, Alamu reiterated that the group remains focused on developing its businesses, strengthening partnerships and contributing to economic activity through enterprise, innovation and job creation.

He added that the business has grown over the past decade into a diversified group of companies with interests spanning financial services and technology, agriculture and food processing, manufacturing, healthcare, and cross-border payment solutions.

Bola Arotiowa, chief commercial officer, C.H.I. Limited (CHI), has reiterated that the beverage company will continue to strengthen its engagement with consumers just as it pushes to sustain its market penetration.

‘This award inspires us to keep raising the bar in delivering the quality, taste and refreshing experiences our consumers expect from us,’ Arotiowa said recently, following Chivita emergence as the most outstanding juice brand at Brandcom awards 2026.

According to Arotiowa, the recognition underscores the firm’s sustained relevance in the juice category and its connection with consumers across generations. He stated that the award also reinforced the brand’s reputation as the gold standard of juice, built on a commitment to quality, excellence and taste while keeping pace with evolving consumer preferences.

‘We see this recognition as a celebration not only of our brand, but also of the people who continue to make Chivita part of their everyday moments,’ Arotiowa stated, expressing appreciation to consumers for their continued trust and patronage, noting that their support has been instrumental in strengthening the brand’s position as the gold standard of juice in Nigeria.

According to him, the recognition further reinforces the brand’s ‘Your Chivita Your Way’ platform, which celebrates consumers’ individuality and the different ways they connect with the brand.

He reiterated that the brand will continue to build meaningful connections that extend beyond its products to the occasions and experiences they create, by placing consumer preferences at the heart of its approach.

‘We are delighted to receive this recognition, and we are especially grateful to our consumers for their continued trust and patronage. Their loyalty and the different ways they continue to enjoy Chivita have been an important part of our journey,’ Arotiowa stated.

He added that the firm’s recent recognition at Brandcom 2026 marks another milestone in its continued engagement with Nigerian consumers, reinforcing its commitment to delivering refreshing moments and building on the trust it has earned over the years.

‘For CHI, the award highlights the importance of consistency, innovation and consumer understanding in building enduring brands in Nigeria’s competitive beverage sector. As tastes and expectations continue to evolve, the company remains focused on strengthening its brands through quality products and relevant consumer experiences.’