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Atiku visits Minna, donates N20m to families of deceased miners

Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has donated N20 million to the families of 37 suspected artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

Atiku announced the donation on Tuesday during a visit to Minna, where he condoled with the Emir of Minna and Chairman, Minna Emirate Council, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, visited former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), and met with families and survivors of the tragedy.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the incident as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of young Nigerians struggling to survive amid economic pressures.

He said it was harrowing to listen to the account of one of the survivors.

‘It was a gory tale listening to one of the survivors. He told us that more than 68 of them were crammed into one small detention facility and that conditions became so desperate that they had to drink one another’s urine just to stay hydrated.

‘No Nigerian should ever be subjected to such indignity in the custody of his own government. These were human beings in the care of the state. Whatever accusations may have been made against them, they were entitled to their lives, their dignity and the protection of the law,’ Atiku said.

Atiku said the fact that many young Nigerians were driven into hazardous and poorly regulated occupations should compel the government to confront deeper questions of poverty, unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis.

‘Thirty-seven young Nigerians entered the custody of the state alive and did not return alive to their families. That tragedy demands truth, justice and accountability.

‘But beyond establishing what happened in that detention facility, we must also ask why so many of our young people are being pushed into dangerous and precarious livelihoods simply to survive,’ he said.

He said the deaths should force the Tinubu administration to reflect on the human consequences of economic policies that had placed enormous pressure on households.

‘When families can no longer afford the basics, and young people are forced to take extraordinary risks just to earn a living, government cannot pretend that everything is working.

‘Economic reform must ultimately be measured by what it does to the lives of ordinary people. If life becomes progressively more difficult for families, workers and young people, then the government has a responsibility to reconsider the choices producing those outcomes,’ Atiku said.

The former Vice-President reiterated his commitment to policies designed to reduce the cost of living if elected president, including targeted production subsidies for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, rather than a return to open-ended subsidies on imported fuel.

He said the policy would be structured to support domestic refining, eliminate waste and ensure government support translated directly into lower prices for consumers.

‘My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people.

‘We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer.

‘The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people,’ he said.

Atiku said Nigeria’s young people deserved classrooms, skills, jobs and opportunities that would allow them to fulfil their potential rather than an economy that left survival dependent on dangerous livelihoods.

W.O.M.A.N. empowers women-led businesses in Lagos

Women-led businesses have been empowered at the third Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Nutrition(W.O.M.A.N.), Alitheia Capital’s yearly conference in Lagos.

The event was attended by over 300 women entrepreneurs -founders of manufacturing companies, agribusinesses and nutrition enterprises.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, challenged the participants to turn potential into progressive capital partnerships.

‘Let the conversations lead to investments. Let the connections lead to partnerships. Let the training lead to stronger businesses. And let the ideas generated here lead to enterprises that create jobs and transform communities. That, ultimately, is how conferences such as this must be measured: not merely by the quality of the conversations, but by the quality of the outcomes they produce,’ Ms. Olusanya said.

In the keynote address, Co-founder of WIMBIZ, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, said: ‘Financial discipline creates business legibility, business legibility creates credibility, and credibility creates access to capital and opportunitiesfor growth.

Mrs Ighodalo, also foundr/CEO, CEO of DO.II Designs Limited, spoke on the theme: ‘Building Investment-Ready Women-Led Enterprises in Nigeria’s Real Economy’.

Day one panel discussions examined the policy and regulatory environment, the financing landscape, and how green manufacturingdrives operational resilience.

Two parallel masterclasses provided the technical grounding: the Investment Readiness Bootcamp, facilitated by Olufemi Oludare, covered financial statements, unit economics, governance and capital structuring; the Green Investment Readiness Bootcamp, led by Abbie Fasasi, addressed energy efficiency as both a cost management strategy and a pathway to impact-focused capital.

Co-Founder of Alitheia Capital, Mrs. Jumoke Akinwunmi, said: ‘Alitheia means truth. When we founded this firm, standing for what is true and standing for women entrepreneurs – were the same principle. What today showed us is that the theory is not the problem.The businesses are ready. The question is whether the ecosystem around them is ready to respond.’

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Hon. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said: ‘Women do not need to be rescued. Women need access. Access to capital. Access to markets. Access to networks.Access to technology. Access to opportunity. And, critically, access to one another. That is what this W.O.M.A.N. Programmerepresents.’

‘Honestly, it was so impactful. I learnt a lot that will help me take Nature Sense to the next level,’ said FunmilayoOgunsanya, Co-Founder of Nature Sense. ‘ I am leaving more convinced than ever that we are ready for what comes next.’

Alitheia Capital will follow up with all W.O.M.A.N. 2026 participants throughout the year, tracking progress on capital access, revenue growth, and job creation.

‘Nearly 20 years ago, we founded this firm on a single conviction: that backing women-led businesses in Africa was not charity, it was one of the most compelling investment opportunities on the continent,’ said Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Alitheia Capital. ‘Today, with $250 million in assets under management and almost three hundred businesses in this room- all screened, all growth-ready – the evidence is undeniable. The question is no longer whether this market exists. The question ishow quickly capital catches up with it.’

‘Alitheia IDF is Africa’s first dedicated gender-lens private equity fund. After more than a decade of investing, our portfolio keeps proving the same thing: when you design capital for women-led businesses, the returns follow. When women-led businesses scale, local economies scale. That is not a social argument. It is a financial one.’

W.O.M.A.N. 2026 was supported by institutional partners including FCMB SheVentures, Airtel, StarSight, RenCom, LATC, Bank of Industry, FCDO Manufacturing Africa, Google Hustle Academy, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), SMEDAN, and the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (CCTI).

Capacity building key to efficient public service – HoS

Zamfara State Government said it will sustain its institutional capacity building initiative to achieve competency and professionalism in public service.

Zamfara State Head of Service, Shehu Baraya, announced this at his office during a brief ceremony marking the end of the Pre-Examination Refresher Course and examination for directors aspiring to become permanent secretaries.

The course was organised by the Office of the Head of Service, in collaboration with the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, at Government House, Gusau.

He thanked the Public Service Institute of Nigeria for its continuous partnership and professional support to Zamfara State Government.

During the ceremony, a sealed examination result was presented to the Head of Service by the Head of the PSIN team, Dr AbdulKareem Ishaq, for onward submission to Governor Dauda Lawal.

The exercise was the second organised in the last three years under Governor Lawal’s administration.

Present at the occasion were the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Dr. Usman Shehu Hassan, and the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Human Resource Development, Barr. Suwaiba Ibrahim Barau, among others.

Flood destroys 60 houses, displaces 300 in Ebonyi community

No fewer than 60 houses have been destroyed, while about 300 residents have been displaced, following a flood that ravaged Amaegbu community in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The disaster, which began on Tuesday, also destroyed farmlands and property worth millions of naira, leaving many residents, including children, homeless.

One of the victims, Chief Michael Uzor, told journalists that the flood washed away his farmlands, television sets, vehicles, certificates, and other valuables.

‘Many houses were demolished in this axis and more houses are collapsing as a result of the flooding. In this particular place, Ndi Ibezeukwu, over 20 houses have fallen down since Tuesday this disaster started,’ he said.

Uzor appealed to the government at all levels to urgently come to the assistance of the affected residents, saying many families had been rendered homeless by the disaster.

Another victim, Mrs Joy Chikezie, said the number of houses destroyed in her area could not be ascertained due to the scale of the devastation.

‘As you can see, many houses are down here. You can’t count the number of houses that have been destroyed by this disaster. We are homeless now and our farmlands have been destroyed too. The losses are enormous. We are sad, we are helpless, we need assistance,’ she lamented.

The Secretary of Amaegbu community, Prince Ette, said more than 50 houses had been demolished in the community, calling for urgent intervention to alleviate the suffering of the victims.

‘We are devastated, we are in pains because the damage the flood caused us is much. Some people didn’t salvage any item from the disaster,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has expressed concern over the disaster and donated N5 million to the affected residents.

Odii, who was represented by the state Chairman of the party, Chief Chukwuma Igwe, made the donation during a visit to the community, saying it was intended to cushion the impact of the disaster on affected families.

‘We came to tell you that what happened to you also happened to us; we are all affected by this disaster.

‘We have over 54 families affected by this disaster in this axis, and we know that there are other families in other places in the community also affected.

‘Our principal, Chief Ifeanyi Odii has given us this token to give to you people, to show you that what happened to you, also happened to him. He will do more for you,’ he assured.

Also speaking, the PDP candidate for Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Chief Felix Igboke, described the flood as unfortunate and said improved drainage and other environmental measures would be needed to address the problem.

He promised that, if elected, he would prioritise better drainage infrastructure and other environmental solutions to reduce the impact of flooding in the area.

FG pushes culture, tourism as new frontiers of Nigeria-China ties

The Federal Government has identified culture and tourism as new frontiers for deepening Nigeria-China relations, with emphasis on cultural diplomacy, creative industries, tourism development and people-to-people exchanges.

The government made its position known at the ‘Shared Moon, Shared Moment, Meet in Africa – Hunan Culture and Tourism in Nigeria’ event in Abuja, where a delegation from China’s Hunan Province showcased its cultural heritage through music, dance, acrobatics and other traditional art forms.

Representing the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, Musa Alhamdu said cultural exchange could strengthen bilateral relations while creating opportunities for tourism, skills development and the creative economy.

He described the event as more than a cultural performance, saying it was a celebration of Nigeria-China friendship, cultural diversity, mutual respect and people-to-people exchange.

‘Culture has a unique ability to bring people together. It translates language, geography and differences, allowing us to discover what we share as human beings,’ Alhamdu said.

He said Nigeria’s cultural diversity, reflected in its music, dance, theatre, visual arts, festivals, crafts, fashion, film, literature and contemporary creative industries, provided a strong foundation for sustained cooperation with China.

According to him, cultural diplomacy is an important instrument for strengthening international relations, promoting tourism and creating opportunities for creative practitioners.

He said Nigeria’s engagement with China in the cultural sector should extend beyond artistic exchanges to include creative collaboration, tourism opportunities, skills development and greater participation of young Nigerians in the global creative economy.

‘For us at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, cultural diplomacy is an important instrument for strengthening international relations, promoting tourism and creating opportunities for our creative practitioners,’ he said.

Alhamdu urged both countries to expand exchanges among artists, cultural institutions, museums, theatres, creative entrepreneurs, young people and tourism stakeholders.

He said such partnerships would help transform cultural exchanges into enduring relationships capable of contributing to economic and social development.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration, Olubunmi Olowokere, said Abuja offered significant opportunities for collaboration with Hunan in cultural exchange, creative industries, heritage promotion, tourism development, skills development and preservation of traditional arts.

Olowokere said culture often provided the first avenue through which people from different countries encountered and understood one another.

‘So when a Nigerian watches a Chinese cultural performance, or when a visitor from China experiences Nigerian music and traditional arts, something important happens. We move from simply knowing each other to experiencing each other. And that experience creates understanding,’ she said.

She called for the establishment of long-term institutional partnerships rather than limiting cultural cooperation to one-day celebrations.

She urged artists, cultural institutions, tourism professionals, museums, cultural centres, performing arts organisations and creative entrepreneurs from both countries to develop partnerships.

Olowokere also encouraged Chinese visitors to explore Abuja and Nigeria’s tourism attractions, while urging Nigerians to discover the cultural and tourism opportunities in Hunan and other parts of China.

Earlier, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, said cultural and artistic exchanges could strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between Nigeria and China.

Yang said the Mid-Autumn Festival, which centres on the full moon, represented values of family reunion, harmony, peace and the shared aspiration for a better life.

‘Culture and art know no borders. A song, a dance or a sincere gathering can cross mountains and oceans and touch people’s hearts,’ he said.

He said Hunan had three World Heritage sites and nine elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Yang noted that Changsha, the provincial capital, had served as the permanent host city of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo since 2019, adding that Hunan and Nigeria had developed ties in trade, investment, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

He said the Hunan delegation brought songs, dances, acrobatics and other performances to Abuja, while Nigerian cultural presentations were also featured to promote mutual appreciation.

Yang said the programme was particularly significant as 2026 marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

He expressed hope that the cultural engagement would lead to stronger ties between Hunan and Nigeria, particularly between Hunan and Abuja, while encouraging more Nigerians to visit the province and experience its cultural heritage and tourism attractions.

Sri Lanka at the right time for enterprise digital transformation: Salesforce

As Sri Lanka accelerates its digital transformation journey, businesses across sectors are increasingly looking at technology to improve productivity, strengthen customer relationships and build competitiveness. Salesforce Country Lead for Sri Lanka Pablo Tachil discusses the opportunities emerging in the market, the transition from AI experimentation to enterprise adoption, and the importance of building a strong local ecosystem to support sustainable digital growth.

Q: Sri Lanka is entering a new era of digital and economic growth. Where does Salesforce see the biggest opportunities for technology to improve productivity, competitiveness and business growth?

A: One of the biggest opportunities Salesforce brings across the ecosystem is creating a level playing field for businesses of all sizes.

Whether it is large enterprises such as John Keells, commercial businesses, mid-market organisations or SMEs, companies today have access to global, world-class technologies that can help improve customer retention, increase adoption, grow revenue and enhance different aspects of their operations.

The ability for even smaller businesses to access enterprise-grade technology and compete more effectively is one of the biggest opportunities that platforms like Salesforce can enable.

Q: Salesforce has been strengthening its engagement in Sri Lanka. What does the Sri Lankan market represent for Salesforce today, especially considering the presence of other global technology companies?

A: I would not specifically comment on market share in Sri Lanka because I do not think that would be representative at this stage. Salesforce has only been actively engaging with the Sri Lankan market over the past couple of years, with stronger focus during the last 12 months.

However, we believe the timing is right because several factors are coming together.

Sri Lanka is becoming much more digitally mature, and businesses are increasingly understanding what world-class platforms like Salesforce can deliver. Previously, many organisations may not have had access to these technologies, but today they can leverage some of the best solutions available

globally.

Salesforce is the world’s leading CRM platform, and our focus is to bring those capabilities to Sri Lankan businesses. We believe the right elements are coming together, customers, partners and talent, which creates the foundation for long-term growth in the market.

Q: AI is quickly becoming central to enterprise transformation. How prepared are Sri Lankan businesses to move from experimenting with AI towards using it at scale and delivering measurable business outcomes?

A: Experimentation is an important first step. Many organisations are exploring AI tools and understanding what they can do. However, the real value comes when AI moves beyond experimentation and starts delivering measurable business outcomes in production environments.

At Salesforce, our focus is ensuring that AI solutions adopted by customers create tangible business value and generate meaningful returns.

Sri Lanka is also a highly connected market, where success stories can influence wider adoption. This is why having strong lighthouse customers, such as John Keells, is important. When customers succeed and demonstrate real outcomes, it encourages broader confidence and adoption across the market.

Q: What are the main factors enabling or influencing digital transformation among Sri Lankan enterprises?

A: I would not necessarily say that something is holding businesses back. Instead, I see a lot of positive momentum happening across the market.

Digital maturity and adoption are increasing significantly. Businesses are beginning to understand the productivity improvements and business value that technology investments can create.

Another important area is data. Organisations are recognising that their data will become one of their most valuable assets. Establishing the right data foundations today will be critical as businesses move towards larger digital transformation initiatives.

I have seen many organisations putting significant thought and effort into building these foundations, and that is an encouraging sign.

Q: As Salesforce supports Sri Lanka’s next chapter of digital growth, what role will customers, partnerships, talent development and the wider technology ecosystem play?

A: These elements will play one of the biggest roles in Salesforce’s growth journey in Sri Lanka.

Customers are obviously central. Sri Lanka is a very connected market, and successful customer journeys create confidence across the wider business community.

At the same time, our implementations, deployments and customer success initiatives are typically supported by partners and startups. We are placing strong emphasis on developing this ecosystem and have been engaging with many partners over the past several months.

We are also focusing on the developer community through initiatives such as YAL Learning, and we are looking at launching Trailhead Academy and Trailblazer communities in Sri Lanka.

Building this ecosystem will be essential to ensuring customers succeed and that the broader digital economy continues to grow.

Q: You mentioned plans to launch the Trailblazer community. How will this support Sri Lankan startups and the wider technology ecosystem?

A: Some of the smartest people I have worked with over the past 23 years have been from Sri Lanka. I have seen many talented

individuals doing remarkable work here.

Communities such as Trailblazer will encourage more people to learn technology, understand how it can solve customer challenges and identify new business opportunities.

We also believe there is an opportunity to build a Salesforce economy in Sri Lanka. By developing Salesforce skills, people can support local customers as well as organisations globally.

This creates a positive cycle, more skilled professionals support more businesses, which creates more opportunities and continues to expand the ecosystem.

Q: Would you like to add anything in closing?

A: We are very excited about the Sri Lankan market. Our focus is to work closely with customers and partners, support their success and help organisations leverage technology to achieve their business goals.

NDLEA busts Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, docks kingpins over Enugu clandestine lab

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in the Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday, two kingpins, 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were arrested in connection with operating the methamphetamine laboratory in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, a Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City, Mexico.

Babafemi said the arrests followed several months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on the syndicate.

The two suspects were subsequently arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organisation, as well as unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act.

He said that following their pleas, Justice Segun-Bello scheduled the trial for October 21, 2026, following an application by the agency for an accelerated hearing.

Also named in the charge and currently at large are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, described by the agency as a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.

Investigations by a Special Operations Unit of the NDLEA revealed what the agency described as a sophisticated transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel.

Babafemi said surveillance conducted by the agency between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states, eventually leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities was uncovered.

The laboratory was fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus, which the agency said mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.

A search of the premises led to the recovery of large quantities of precursor chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances.

The agency said the recovered chemicals were consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.

A related search of George’s family residence also led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilograms of ephedrine.

Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency remained determined to track down every suspect who had fled in connection with the cartel and ensure they faced the full weight of the law.

Marwa commended the NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in dismantling the international drug syndicate.

He described the Enugu laboratory bust as further proof that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels.

Marwa warned that the agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships would continue to close every loophole exploited by drug barons, whether local or foreign.

He also charged NDLEA personnel with sustaining the momentum of enforcement until the country was rid of illicit drug production and trafficking.

Lagos APC expels Egunjobi, Yusuf

Two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State were yesterday expelled by the party leadership.

The chieftains, Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi and Mr. Azeez Yusuf, were expelled, following their anti-party activities and disloyalty to the party.

Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said in a statement that they exhibited conduct considered inimical to the integrity and party discipline.

Egunjobi and Yusuf contested APC primaries for Agege Constituency I and Agege Constituency II, but failed to secure the party’s tickets.

Rather than respect the outcome of the internal democratic process and remain loyal to the platform on which they sought election, they obtained tickets from the opposition Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Ojelabi said the party viewed the conduct as a clear repudiation of the obligations of party membership and an unacceptable act of anti-party activity and disloyalty.

He said in a statement that their purported resignations from the APC were therefore, viewed as a belated and face-saving attempt to pre-empt the consequences of their actions.

Ojelabi says the party’s position is that membership of the APC cannot be treated as a convenient political garment to be worn during a primary and discarded immediately after an unsuccessful outcome.

He said: ”APC is a political organisation governed by rules, regulations and constitutional obligations. While members are free to aspire to elective office, such aspirations must be pursued within the framework of the party’s constitution and the applicable electoral laws.

‘A member who loses an internal contest is expected to accept the outcome or pursue legitimate avenues of redress provided by the party and the law-not to undermine the party by seeking an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle.

‘The party has accordingly invoked the relevant provisions of Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution (as amended in 2022) in taking disciplinary action against the two former members.

‘Their conduct is particularly significant in the context of the 2026 electoral framework. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has emphasised the obligation of political parties and political actors to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Commission’s regulations governing the electoral process.

‘The Lagos APC therefore wishes to make it abundantly clear that Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi and Mr. Azeez Yusuf are no longer members of the All Progressives Congress.

‘Consequently, neither individual has the authority to speak for, represent, negotiate on behalf of, or otherwise transact any business with any person, organisation or institution in the name of the Lagos State APC or the All Progressives Congress.

‘The party urges members, supporters, stakeholders and the public to take note of their changed status and to refrain from dealing with either of them as representatives or authorised agents of the APC.

”The APC remains committed to internal democracy, discipline, loyalty and respect for the rules governing the organisation. The right to contest an election does not confer the right to sabotage the party after losing its nomination process.

‘The APC is a party of rules. Its tickets are contested, its decisions are respected, and its integrity will be protected.

‘The Lagos APC will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the discipline, cohesion and credibility of the party as it prepares for the forthcoming elections.’

Aruna inspires Amiens to winning start in France

Nigerian table tennis star Quadri Aruna marked his French Pro B League debut with a victory on Tuesday leading Amiens to a 3-2 win over Lille.

Aruna secured a hard-fought win in his opening tie before defeating Iran’s Hossein Hodaei 3-1 to anchor the victory for Amiens. The result places Amiens third in the overall standings as the club pursues promotion to the top division.

African players delivered strong performances across the opening fixtures. Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa led Courbevoie STT to a 3-2 victory over Compiégnois TT 1, while Benin Republic’s Salifou Abdel-Kader was left out of the Compiégnois lineup. In Nantes, Nigerian veteran player-coach Segun Toriola guided his side to a 3-1 win over Frejus AMSL alongside Egyptian teammate Youssef Abdelaziz and Greece’s Panagiotis Gionis.

Caen TTC moved to the top of the league table following a 3-0 sweep of Miramas AS, powered by Algeria’s Stephane Ouaiche. Elsewhere, Le Havre ATT recorded a 3-1 win against Boulogne Billancourt AC without Nigerian pair Olajide Omotayo and Taiwo Mati featuring in the squad. In Proville, Algeria’s Maheidine Bella claimed his team’s lone point in a 1-3 loss to Pontoise-Cergy AS.

Amiens will return to action on Tuesday, September 29, when they travel to face Toriola’s Nantes.

Ogun begins disbursement of N6bn fund to 3,855 women groups

The Ogun State Government has commenced the disbursement of a N6 billion Community Investment Fund (CIF) to 3,855 women groups across four local government areas to boost women-led businesses and improve household livelihoods.

The intervention, being implemented in partnership with the Federal Government and the World Bank under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), is designed to expand women’s access to finance, strengthen economic resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Ijebu-Ode, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, said the fund would help women transform subsistence activities into sustainable enterprises.

He said the initiative was part of his administration’s efforts to empower women, strengthen families and expand opportunities for economic growth.

‘Today, we gather not merely to mark the disbursement of a fund, but to celebrate another important step in our deliberate journey of empowering women, strengthening families and expanding opportunities for sustainable livelihoods,’ the governor said.

Abiodun disclosed that the beneficiary Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) had collectively saved N2.6 billion in seven months, while loans accessed through the groups exceeded N4 billion.

He said the figures demonstrated the financial discipline, trust and commitment developed by the groups, adding that beneficiaries had met programme requirements, including regular participation, savings, internal lending, opening of bank accounts and preparation of Micro-Investment Plans.

The governor, however, clarified that the N6 billion fund was not an outright grant but a sustainable revolving financing facility designed to provide capital for establishing and expanding businesses, generating income and employment, and improving household welfare.

‘These figures are more than statistics; they are compelling evidence of the financial discipline, trust, commitment and readiness that the Women Affinity Groups have developed under the programme,’ he said.

Abiodun said the intervention built on the Nigeria for Women Project, which commenced in Ogun in December 2020 following an agreement between the World Bank and the Federal Government in 2018.

He said the parent project established 3,792 WAGs across 1,003 communities in Odeda, Ikenne, Ijebu North East and Yewa North, while 368 ward facilitators were trained and deployed.

The project also provided individual grants to 67,094 women in April 2022, he added.

According to him, the scale-up phase has expanded to seven local government areas – Ifo, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Abeokuta North, Ipokia and Remo North – with 5,394 WAGs formed and 124,062 women reached as of September 21, 2026.

The programme, he said, has covered 3,489 communities, with 664 trained ward facilitators, while about 26 states have visited Ogun to understudy its implementation model.

The World Bank, he added, had adopted the state as a training hub for the programme.

Abiodun said the WAG model extended beyond access to finance to include financial literacy, savings, responsible borrowing, collective accountability, entrepreneurial skills, gender awareness and life skills.

It also provides opportunities for health insurance, climate adaptation, strategic partnerships and National Identification Number enrolment.

‘In other words, the programme is building not only businesses, but knowledgeable, financially disciplined and economically resilient women,’ he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing the policy support and institutional collaboration required to sustain the intervention, while appreciating the World Bank, the Federal Project Coordinating Unit and other partners for their contributions.

Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant on Technical Management, Princess Jummaih Idonije, described the initiative as a strategic economic intervention aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said expanding women’s economic opportunities was central to inclusive national development.

The minister commended Ogun State for its leadership in the programme and urged beneficiaries to serve as models for other women groups across participating local government areas.

The World Bank Task Team Manager, Michael Ilesanmi, said the programme was helping to bridge financial access gaps for women while strengthening their capacity to withstand economic pressures.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dapo Okubadejo, said the intervention underscored the importance of investing deliberately in women, who contribute significantly to the economy as traders, farmers, processors, artisans, entrepreneurs and community builders.

Okubadejo, who chairs the programme’s Multi-Sectoral Committee, was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Adebimpe Obienu.

He commended the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, community leaders and other stakeholders for supporting the programme’s implementation.

Some beneficiaries, including Oyesanya Omotoke of Irede WAG in Sagamu, Ayomide Ogunleye of Ifeoluwa WAG in Ijebu-Ode, and Adesola Teriba, chairperson of Success WAG in Abeokuta North, expressed appreciation for the intervention.

They said the fund would help strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods, while the WAG model had encouraged savings, internal lending, financial discipline and collective responsibility.

The beneficiaries pledged to deploy the funds to productive economic activities, sustain accountability and ensure the intervention translated into stronger businesses, higher household incomes and improved livelihoods for their families and communities.