Category: Business Day

Work resumed today, Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Train-7 construction site after many frequent shutdowns.

This is as Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria (DECN) Limited which had to give final shutdown order has showed gratitude to Abinye Pepple, the chairman of Bonny LGA.

Pepple had appealed to the workers on Thursday, October 16, 2025 to resume work while his administration would intervene and interface with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, NLNG, and other stakeholders to address the issues. He however urged Daewoo to stop punitive actions such as payoff and interdictions to avoid further provocation.

A grateful Daewoo has in a letter signed by Bernard Ewubare, Community Affairs and Security Manager, commended Pepple and the management of Nigeria LNG (NLNG) for their timely and effective intervention in restoring calm to the project site. ‘Your leadership and support have been vital in stabilising the situation and creating a path forward.

‘We also deeply appreciate our workers for showing understanding and allowing reason to prevail during this period. Your cooperation and commitment are highly valued, and we remain dedicated to working together to ensure continued progress and resolution of all outstanding matters.’

Majority of the workers, who are staff of labour contractors to Daewoo comprised of welders, fitters and other specializations, had shut down the Daewoo section of the Train-7 project protesting over-taxation, illegal deductions, and non-issuance of tax clearance certificates and tax identification numbers.

Daewoo on the hand had always denied any wrongdoing but their explanations never seemed to satisfy the workers who were asking for evidence of where their taxes were going. The LGA boss still said he would trace it, an evidence that up till now, the critical questions asked by workers have not been satisfactorily addressed.

Sotonye Ibiama, the Public Relations Officer at DECN Train 7 Project, confirmed to an online outfit on Friday, 17 October 2025, that work has fully resumed on the company’s section of the project.

‘Yes, the junior workers and welders and fitters are here on site doing their legitimate job, while some junior workers, welders and fitters are yet to resume,’ he told the news outfit.

‘As management, we will be waiting from today to Monday for others to resume.’

The Bonny LGA Chairman’s appeal is said to come after the presentation of an investigative report on the issue by a committee he set up to probe the issue at the Government Lodge in Bonny and a second meeting with representatives of the protesting workers, heads of security agencies, and other stakeholders.

Addressing the workers who took their protest to the Government Lodge, Pepple said he was concerned about the welfare of the workers, as well as the peace and security of the LGA, assuring them that his administration abhors victimization of any sort and will work to resolve the issue amicably while they return to work.

‘That’s my area of concern; where workers will go back to work, the company will do the needful, so that we know where is the payment going to? How much is your company to deduct at various categories of workforce? How much is most appropriate to be deducted from your money and where is money being paid to?

‘So, gradually we are making progress, but we can’t make the progress when the workers are now being given redundancy or payoffs or end of contract benefit, that is not fair. We cannot allow that.’

He went on: ‘So, we are saying that, whereas we are asking the management to say, ‘No, don’t take this step.’ We can’t be talking to management not to take this step when you are at home.

‘Come back, let it be done. A little to the left, a little to the right, so that as you’re working, these other new persons will join the team. My own is to support, to make sure that the writing is done.

‘We cannot allow intimidation, but at the same time, as the man that God Almighty and all of your votes have kept here, it is not a good record that the place is not peaceful.’

His response that the panel he set up has still not answered critical questions seems to pont to red flags in the matter, because, according to sources, it does not take years to confirm the allegations by workers. Sacking them does not seem to be the correct response, the sources said.

In response to the consensus reached at the meeting and in deference to the Bonny LGA Chairman, DECN issued a statement after the meeting, asking workers to resume work on Friday, 17 October 2025 as well as residence at the Train 7 Workers Village.

Background to crisis:

Daewoo Nigeria began about middle of September 2025 fighting to restore stability at the Train-7 plant which was in turmoil. Though top managers in Daewoo suspected external influences, the crisis was due to mass protest by a section of the workers.

The workers claimed they were over 8,000 and that deductions from their taxes had run into several billions of naira.

The company said there was no tax fraud situation in Daewoo.

The workers had alleged that the deductions were not being remitted to the coffers of the government. They said they feared that the fast-approaching new tax law in January 2026 would hurt them if tax identification number (TIN) was not issued to them.

Some of the workers interviewed said the deductions ranged from N80,000 per month to N180,000.

The company said there was no tax fraud in Daewoo, and that it did not use uniformed men to intimidate protesting workers. It however acknowledged the issue of controversy surrounding tax receipts.

Daewoo further denied withholding the taxes, clarifying that tax deductions from workers were instantly remitted to the RIRS and tax receipts obtained and advanced to respective staff.

Management also said tax identification number was not generated by Daewoo but by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). ‘Management also wishes to clarify that there is no incidence of fraud associated with tax deductions in DECN.’

The company promised to facilitate through the RIRS the provision of verifiable TIN having DECN code for accessibility to all welders/fitters within two weeks from 22/09/2025 to 04/10/2025. ‘Management is actively engaging with the welders and fitters as well as their respective unions to address the issue and this dialogue processes have reached advanced stages with an appeal for workers to give the management two weeks or fourteen days to resolve the issue.

On resolving the impasse, Daewoo said: ‘Management has been in active communication with the workers, unions, and other stakeholders with a view to communicating the state of things with all parties concerned in the matter with a view to resolving the issue.

‘Management has agreed that in case of perceived over taxation of any Welder/Fitter, such matter should be made available with evidence of pay slip to the site representatives and forward to DECN human resource team for necessary attention.

‘Management has also agreed with the various unions that no Welder/Fitter will be placed on redundancy within this period without being provided with his/her verifiable TIN. It has also not mandated any security agency to invite, arrest, interrogate or detain any worker with regards to the issue at hand.’

Daewoo however alleged that some of the workers smashed glasses and caused some damages and assaulted their colleagues and even security personnel on duty. ‘Management wishes to inform that the project owner, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, project implementer, security agencies, and all relevant stakeholders are all informed that resolution processes have been activated to resolve the issue. The company appealed for calm and for all to maintain the existing good relationship.

The frequent shutdowns and denial by workers that the matter had been resolved seem to add tension and confusion in the crisis, making it difficult to know the true situation of work in the Train-7 project.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council has reaffirmed its readiness to strengthen the existing partnership with the office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state.

Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, the state NUJ chairman, stated this in Ilorin when he led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to Joshua Onifade, the NYSC State Coordinator.

He said the council was ready to accept corps members on primary assignment, for them to be trained on the rudiments of journalism.

‘We believe that this is the time to come together as partners to address the high rate of unemployment.

‘We want to let you know that our facilities are open for use and also for us to collaborate on the deployment of corps members to the council as Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).

‘As a council, we want to provide a platform for the corps members to learn because it is not about getting ready to be employed, but for them to be employable.

‘We want to teach them the rudiments of journalism, which will help them when they finish service.

‘And the rationale is to make them ready to work in the outside world, as practical on the field is different from the theory they were taught in school,’ he said.

Ahmed added that NYSC can also use the NUJ Press Centre as a point of convergence for corps members on Editorial Community Development Service Group and also partner NUJ in terms of coverage of events, to avoid misrepresentation.

The Chairman, however, commended the proactiveness of the NYSC leadership to relocate its Orientation Camp from Yikpata, Edu Local Government, to the premises of Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin, due to insecurity.

In his response, the state NYSC coordinator pledged the scheme’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with the NUJ.

Onifade said the partnership of both bodies is important as stakeholders doing their best to ensure Nigeria is doing well amongst the committee of nations.

He promised to consider the council when sending corps members to their places of primary assignment.

The state coordinator, however, urged Journalists to always uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

‘Journalists should be mindful of the headlines they give to their stories, as some of them often negate the body of the stories.

‘It is not a good thing to shun Journalists from interviews, but we shouldn’t be misrepresented.

‘Let people be bold to talk to Journalists, and if we present Nigeria or Kwara badly, we will suffer for it.

‘Journalists should be using their media to change the mindset and orientation of the youth,’ he advised.

Muazu Musa Omeiza, executive director, Kogi state Primary Health Care Development Agency, has said that the state government is targeting over 1.9 million children aged between 9 months to 14 years, with the Measles-Rubella vaccination, protecting them from two highly infectious and potentially deadly diseases.

He stated this at the Integrated Measles-Rubella campaign flag -off ceremony in Lokoja sponsored by UNICEF and other donors.

‘We are deploying the novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) to strengthen our defence against any resurgence of the polio virus and maintain Nigeria’s hard -earned polio-free status,’ he said.

‘In some of our communities yet unreached, we are introducing the HPV vaccine for girls aged between 9 to 14 years and following up in communities where girls within the targeted age range may have been missed. The HPV vaccine aims to prevent cervical cancer, which has claimed too many lives of women, lives we can now save through timely vaccination.

‘The campaign came at a critical time across the country and globally, where we are witnessing rising cases of vaccine -preventable diseases due to immunity gaps worsened by disruptions in services during the past years.

‘Our teams are prepared. We have conducted micro planning down to the ward level. Cold chain and logistics have been mobilised. Social mobilisation teams are working to engage every segment of the community. The structures are in place; what we need now is the full participation of every household’.

In a related development, Salami Oni Salihu, Okehi local government area Immunisation Officer (LIO), has equally disclosed that they are targeting about 88,854 children for Polio vaccination, also targeting 147,580 children for Measles – Rubella vaccination.

He commended the state government and UNICEF, and other donors that sponsored the programme, adding that lack of funds has been the challenge preventing them from reaching Fulani settlements in that local government for immunization.

He pleaded for more funds so that children in the Fulani community can always benefit from the immunisation.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent commended the Kogi State government and UNICEF, and other donors, for the sponsorship.

Rabiu Suleiman and Rebecca Joseph respectively said that giving their children’s immunisation will enhance their good health, as they thank UNICEF.

The Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) market in Nigeria is, curiously, lagging behind peers in spite of its growth potential as reflected in the country’s over 200 million population, housing deficit estimated at 28 million units, and an active rental market where 80 percent of the population lives in rented accommodation.

REITs is a specialised investment instrument that many people are not participating in. Investors are encouraged to make enquiries on the REITs through their stockbrokers or the Fund Managers. REITs, on their own, should also do their best to educate the investing public on the benefits of investing in REITs, which include high cash payouts and distributions, among other gains.

The REIT is an investment that is suited to a certain kind of investors. It constantly pays dividends, unlike companies that may suffer some fluctuations in their profit earnings. ‘By regulation, REITs are mandated to pay out dividends every year. So, it is an investment for people who want an annual income, and such income is not usually affected by the volatility of the stock market in terms of distribution,’ Odunayo Ojo, CEO, UPDC, explains.

According to him, REITs have returns that are stable and predictable, and that is something that makes investors cherish it. It is suitable for investors who want regular, stable and consistent income distribution.

Over the years, the REITs market has grown into a multi-trillion-dollar industry with an estimated value of $4 trillion. Reports have it that about 44 countries are enacting legislation to create REIT structures. It adds that more than 85 per cent of global REIT asset value is concentrated in just five countries, nearly 80 per cent of which is in the United States.

South Africa dominates Africa’s REIT landscape, with a market capitalisation of approximately $8.5 billion, while Nigeria trails at $600 million, followed by Kenya’s $300 million. Ghana, Morocco, and Egypt are laying legislative groundwork but have yet to see actual REIT listings.

In Nigeria, returns on REITs have remained discouraging. Investors earn only about seven per cent on Nigerian REITs, far below the 15 per cent offered in South Africa and nine per cent in Kenya. This gap reflects both operational inefficiencies and structural bottlenecks holding back the sector’s growth.

So far, only three Nigerian REITs -Union Homes REIT, SFS REIT, and UPDC REIT -have shown some resilience in Nigeria. Together, they recorded a rental income of N2.16 billion in 2023, according to the Knight Frank Africa Horizons report, which valued the Nigerian REITs market at $600 million in 2024. UPDC REIT, one of the largest and most diversified, has demonstrated strength and resilience over the years. Ojo revealed the company’s property portfolio spans more than 100 properties, including office towers, shopping centres, residential complexes, and student hostels across Lagos and Abuja.

Its flagship assets include Victoria Mall Plaza in Lagos, the Kingsway Building in Marina, UAC House in Abuja, and a hostel in Pan-Atlantic University, Epe.

Financially, UPDC REIT has turned the corner. After posting a net loss of N4.48 billion in 2021, it swung to net incomes of N1.68 billion in 2022 and N3.8 billion in 2023.

Union Homes REIT, with over 50 properties primarily in residential and mixed-use categories, continues to maintain a steady but modest profile. The SFS REIT is a specialist vehicle focused on prime office assets in Lagos and Abuja, owning just over 10 properties but with strong tenant bases.

However, while these funds demonstrate that Nigerian REITs can perform under difficult circumstances, they remain few, thinly capitalised, and limited in scope compared to their global counterparts and even African peers.

Until recently, with the new tax reform which promises tax exemption for REITs, Nigerian REITs risk double taxation, at both the trust and investor levels which erodes yields and discourages large-scale participation. Besides regulatory overlaps between the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Nigerian Exchange all of which create compliance headaches, liquidity is also a critical barrier.

The few listed REITs are thinly traded, making it difficult for investors to buy or sell units without steep discounts. Institutional investors such as pension funds, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds, key players in global REIT markets, largely avoid Nigeria’s REITs due to these liquidity risks. Retail participation is also weak because public awareness is low.

On top of these structural problems, the macroeconomic climate adds to the difficulties. Currency depreciation, high inflation, and interest rates north of 20 per cent make government securities more attractive than REITs. In such an environment, investors prefer safer bets like treasury bills and bonds, further starving REITs of much-needed capital.

Governor Sim Fubara who has tasted all types of judiciary in uncountable cases in his short span in politics and governance, seems hungry of a judicial system that operates in its own without interference.

He seems hungry for a time when a man facing a case in court would rely on interpretation of the law by lawyers and judges without bizarre twists and turns that come outside of jurisprudence.

The governor has thus pledged necessary support to ensure the Judiciary operates as a truly independent and effective justice system.

Gov Fubara gave the assurance while formally declaring open the 2025/2026 legal year at a special court session at the State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt on Friday. He expressed satisfaction not only with the event’s success but also with the Bar and Bench’s commitment to advancing the integrity of the judicial system.

The Governor said that the Rivers State Judiciary ranks among the best in Nigeria, adding that it features some of the brightest judicial minds who courageously interpret and apply the law with a high sense of justice.

He reminded the lawyers, that as ministers in the temple of justice, they are under oath to conduct themselves honestly in their practice of the law before the courts, to uphold the rule of law and advance the course of justice at all times.

‘Similarly, every judge is under a judicial oath to provide equal justice to all persons according to law to the best of their knowledge and ability without fear, favour, or affection’, he said.

He stressed that the judicial oath is not composed of mere words but demands that judges act with moral courage to resist pressure, and ensure that both friends and foes have access to equal and impartial justice.

He, therefore, requested that all courts, inferior or superior, should perform their duties with courage, adjudicate and interpret the laws and cases in ways that promote substantial justice, democracy, and citizens’ fundamental rights.

The governor, however, declared that the political crisis is now over, with all parties fully reconciled, and his administration back on its feet, affirming that he holds no grudges or ill feelings toward anyone.

He stated that the administration is now re-energised and has resumed the implementation of people-centric policies, programmes, and projects with greater determination to achieve the developmental milestones set to enhance the well-being of the people of Rivers State.

Governor Fubara reiterated his commitment to work with the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, and other stakeholders to recover lost ground, sustain peace and accelerate development of the state.

He also appreciated the Chief Judge for providing functional, effective leadership, exceptional courage, and an unwavering determination to ensure justice is served to all who seek the aid of the courts. The Chief Judge was believed to have held the Judiciary firm during the impeachment threats and his position was said to have saved the situation as it allowed the Executive arm and legislative arm to resolve their problems without using the Judiciary as the linchpin. Speaking earlier during the thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara called on the Judiciary to remain steadfast as a ‘true temple of justice’, urging the courts not to let the innocent suffer unjustly.

In his remarks, Simeon Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, highlighted the absence of a Committee on Prerogative of Mercy in the state, which, he said has contributed significantly to congestion in custodial centres.

He noted that the non-reduction of sentences for inmates, including 493 male and 15 female death-row prisoners, is beyond the Chief Judge’s powers, and called for government intervention.

He thanked the governor for the support given to the Judiciary so far, and solicited for more encouragement to reduce the pressures judicial officers face in the performance of their duties.

Also speaking, Cordelia Eke, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, said the 2024-2025 legal year began with optimism but was soon overshadowed by political and institutional turbulence.

She noted that the state of emergency and suspension of key elected officials disrupted democratic governance and tested the resilience of the justice system. ‘The absence of an Attorney General caused serious delays in justice delivery, unprocessed legal applications, and financial losses,’ Eke stated.

According to her, the situation underscored the urgent need to fortify laws that protect institutions and ensure that the justice system continues to function even in difficult times.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Onueze Okocha (SAN), expressed concern over the battered image of the Judiciary, lamenting that many Nigerians have lost faith in the courts due to inconsistent judgments and prolonged case delays.

He urged judges to resist personal interests that could influence their professional conduct, calling for renewed integrity and faster dispensation of justice. Earlier in his homily during the thanksgiving service, Patrick S. Eluke, Apostolic Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, urged members of the legal profession to uphold moral and spiritual integrity in their practice, reminding them of their ‘sacred duty’ to ensure that justice reflects honesty, compassion, and fairness.

He cautioned against hypocrisy, rivalry, and unhealthy competition within the legal profession, stressing that true justice must protect the vulnerable and remain unswayed by material or political influence.

He further called on elected leaders to demonstrate patriotism and accountability to the people who entrusted them with power, noting that democracy and justice thrive only where integrity and fairness prevail.

Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to the Governor, his Deputy, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge; as well as prayers for the Government, the Judiciary, the State and the country.

Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, the Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, on Saturday disclosed that under her administration, UNIMED will become a one-stop institution for medical and health sciences education through deployment of high-end technology.

Adejuyigbe, in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Isaac Oluyi, and made a copy available to journalists in Akure expressed the willingness of her administration to ensure rapid infrastructural development of the university through the support of the state government and other stakeholders.

The Vice Chancellor hinted that efforts have been put on ground to ensure the rapid development of all the infrastructure in all the campuses of the university.

This includes the installation of internet connection facility across all the campuses and hostels of the university. Adejuyigbe noted that the development will enable students and staff have access to information at the speed of light.

She added that ‘the facility will among others provide 24-hour, per-session internet bandwidth service, provide network engineering support 24-hours per day a session, help reduce the cost of communication and internet fees, provide a single-hop direct connection to the international internet backbone, provide real-time monitoring of performance and use of infrastructure, provide centralized administrative controls for users, management, promote secure and accessible exchange of information and sharing of ideas within UNIMED.’

Also, the Vice-Chancellor said ‘access to quality information at the speed of light gives any institution a huge advantage to be globally competitive and relevant. One of my cardinal objectives is to reposition UNIMED as a global brand in teaching, research and community service.’

This development, which is a fall out of an agreement entered into by the University with Sam Smith Global Company Limited, a Lagos-based technology outfit, the Vice Chancellor said, is already generating excitement within the university community.

Stakeholders in the health sector and media professionals have stressed the urgent need for the state governments to prioritise funding for Family Planning (FP), Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programmes so as to reduce maternal and child mortality in the country.

The stakeholders and the media experts who spoke at a two-day training workshop organised for journalists in Abuja by the Pathfinder International under its Smart Advocacy for Strategic Action (SASA) Project, opined that proper funding of FP and MNCH projects would also lead to improved health outcomes and significant cost savings from preventing unintended pregnancies and child births.

Speaking at the training which held in partnerships with Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPDARO) and Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego) of Kenya, Chairman of the management committee of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning, Ejike Oji appealed to governments at all levels to take the issue of family planning commodities serious lamenting that at the beginning of this year, out of a total of $ 4 million approved by government, only N60 million was released.

While commending the Minister of Health for gradually changing the narratives which led to the ministry approving $60 million for procurement of family planning commodities through the National Primary Health Agency, Ejike said:’We must commend the present Minister of Health for taking the bold initiative to approve such an amount which is the first time in Nigeria such a huge amount is allocated to family planning commodities.

‘Apart from this, the Presidential Initiative For Value Chain also allocated N5.77 billion for the purchase of FP commodities while in the third trench, the President approved $200milion which was basically to take care of the counterpart funding of USAID for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis programme which was one of the things trending. It would have been very catastrophic for the nation medically because the absence of these drugs means that anti-retroviral will become prevalent and more people will be infected.

Oji who is a medical practitioner, the Civil Society representative of FP 2030 Commitment as well as the convener of the 5 million women data base was also emphatic that buying these commodities through USAID would not only be more beneficial and cost effective for the country but, would lead to accountability in the whole process.

‘USAID uses what is known as economy of scale of purchase for about 53 countries of the world which enables them to buy commodities at a reduced price for countries and there is need for Nigeria to channel the monies through the organisation to enable it benefit from the economic subsidy.

‘The way USAID operates is that if you purchase commodities worth $357,000, you’ll get a marching grant of $2million. So, if the Federal Government contributes $100,000 and all the states were able to contribute the balance of $357,000, the country will still unlock the $2 million grant.

‘Through this process, the country will also unlock more financial expenses like quantification exercises because if you don’t have proper quantification, you won’t know how much commodity to buy’, he stressed.

He posited that in view of the huge amount of money the government approved, people should be concerned about the accountability process since nobody is sure whether these commodities would be purchased through USAID or by individuals.

On his part, Senior Media and Communication Officer at Pathfinder International Nigeria, Bayo Ewuola, said that the two-day training was designed to deepen journalists’ and influencers’ understanding of FP/MNCH priorities in Nigeria.

Emphasising, the power of storytelling in advancing maternal health and family planning issues in the country, Ewuola said : ‘The training was designed to go beyond abstract discussions and focus on life-saving narratives that resonate with communities”.

According to him, media practitioners have a unique responsibility to highlight the lived experiences of women and families while ensuring accuracy, ethics, and depth in their reporting.

‘These are not abstract concepts, they are about saving the lives of our mothers, sisters, daughters, and aunties, people who matter to us.’

He stressed that the training was aimed at equipping participants with techniques in investigative, data-driven, and solution-based journalism that would bring attention to real challenges, policies, and community perspectives.

‘By framing issues differently and focusing on solutions, he noted, the media can contribute to saving lives and influencing policy.’

Also, president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, described the initiative as timely and critical, given Nigeria’s troubling maternal mortality figures.

Citing the National Demographic and Health Survey, he reminded participants that communities practicing child spacing could reduce maternal deaths by up to 40 percent.

He therefor urged journalists to take ownership of maternal health and family planning reporting as a service to humanity and as a way of advocating for a healthier Nigeria.

On the other hand, Yahaya lauded Pathfinder International for its commitment to building the capacity of journalists, adding that health reporting should move beyond mere coverage to active advocacy.

He highlighted the importance of integrating family planning with maternal and child health services and called on journalists to champion critical funding mechanisms such as the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and state-level counterpart contributions.

Drawing from his own state’s example, he pointed out Gombe’s pioneering release of counterpart funds to the UN Population Fund for reproductive health commodities.

He further encouraged journalists to review budget performance regularly, acknowledging modest government efforts while pushing for greater allocations to the health sector.

Despite the challenges of poor remuneration in the media, Yahaya reminded participants that they could still influence change by engaging directly with health commissioners, primary healthcare executives, and policymakers.

The NUJ president therefore called for active participation in government budget cycles to ensure maternal health receives the attention it deserves, insisting that journalists have both the platform and responsibility to change the narrative on maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Lead on strengthening health systems at the Budget Foundation”,Biobelle Davidson, presented the Primary Health Care (PHC) portal, a tool designed to gather feedback from citizens on the state of facilities.

Biobelle who is a medical practitioner explained that the platform tracks service delivery, facility readiness, and community perspectives, providing opportunities for accountability and improvement.

Given a brief history of the portal, she said: ‘The PHC portal, which began with 75 facilities across 15 states, has now expanded to cover over 1,000 facilities nationwide. However, this remains a fraction of Nigeria’s 30,000 PHCs.’

She added that efforts are ongoing to scale up coverage, while also addressing challenges of internet access and digital literacy by deploying community champions to support residents in providing feedback.

‘The platform has encouraged greater use of PHC services among young people and is gradually changing perceptions among older citizens who previously associated PHCs only with antenatal care, child services, or malaria treatment.

While stating that improving health systems does not only saves lives, she added: ‘but it, also strengthens Nigeria’s economy by supporting healthier, more productive communities and agreed that while government policies exist, stronger partnerships, wider community involvement, and greater visibility through the media are key to driving real progress in maternal, child, and family health across the country.”

In a strategic move to engage a new generation of artists, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has announced the launch of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, with an inaugural focus on Documentary Film. This new award replaces the previously established Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.

The prize is designed exclusively for Nigerian citizens aged 18 to 35. Announcing the initiative, NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr Philip Mshelbila, emphasised the decisive role of film in shaping national discourse.

‘Film possesses a unique power to engage young people in shaping the future through the lens of our culture, history, and present realities,’ stated Dr Mshelbila. ‘Our brand promise is to inspire a sustainable future, which requires us to reflect on the world around us and act to create positive change.

We envision that this documentary award will inspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect us more deeply to our national identity and our potential.’

This shift underscores NLNG’s commitment to fostering contemporary art forms that drive social reflection and national development.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has flagged off the construction of the 15.15km Ojoku-Ilemona Road in Oyun Local Government Area, describing the project as another milestone in his administration’s effort to open up rural communities and boost economic activities across the state.

The governor said the new road complements his administration’s extensive investments in infrastructure, health, education, water supply, and social protection.

‘We have delivered over 100 kilometres of road in Kwara South alone, aside from several others across different sectors. ‘In addition, we are constructing or about to award new road projects totalling about 109 kilometres in this region, including those under the RAAMP initiative,’ he said.

The governor urged residents to support and take ownership of public infrastructure for sustainability.

The flag-off event coincided with the joint inspection of the Eiyenkorin -Afon- Ojoku -Offa Road by Governor Abdulrazaq, David Umahi, Minister of Works, and a delegation from BUA Group led by its Group Executive Director, Kabir Rabiu. The 42.6km concrete road, handled by BUA, links Kwara Central to Kwara South and Osun State within 30 minutes.

Both Abdulrazaq and Umahi commended the quality of work, with the Minister assuring that the road will last between 50 and 100 years.

During the visit, Governor Abdulrazaq reminded the Minister of the dualisation of the Ilorin -Lokoja Road, describing it as a priority project for the people of Kwara.

In a major development, the Minister’s delegation also announced that the Federal Government has approved the construction of a flyover at Oko Olowo – a long-awaited intervention expected to end years of fatal accidents along the busy corridor.

The governor further appealed to federal attention to the Share-Patigi Road and the Moro Bridge, which he described as critical to the economic integration of northern Kwara communities.

‘We are glad to have this road. It’s part of the dividends of democracy and the renewed hope agenda. ‘We thank Mr. President for his commitment and policies. Inflation is going down, the exchange rate is firm and stable, and we are seeing progress.

‘This road connects agrarian communities and will ease the movement of goods and services. Even though it is only 45% complete, traffic has already picked up. Earlier today, we also flagged off a new 15km road that links more communities and extends into Osun State.

‘This road has existed since the 1960s as a mere footpath. BUA has turned it into a proper greenfield road. The impact is huge – it will open up the area for agriculture and investment. For instance, Olam is set to commission a $25 million soybean processing plant along this corridor, and more investors are coming,’ the Governor said in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, his chief press secretary.

In his remarks, Minister Umahi praised Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership and unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, assuring that the Ministry would consider Kwara’s priority projects in the next fiscal year.

The Minister said: ‘This road was awarded on May 22, 2023, and construction began in September 2023. We commend President Tinubu for funding the project through the tax credit scheme and appreciate the Governor’s quiet but impactful work in the state. ‘We will work around your requests to support Kwara.’

Umahi added that the Ministry would return to the state next month for the Kwara stretch of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.

The Ojoku-Ilemona road flag-off was witnessed by lawmakers, cabinet members, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, senior government officials, and party leaders.

Abdulquawiy Olododo, Kwara Commissioner for Works, described the project as a corridor of growth that would transform lives and livelihoods in the axis.

‘For decades, our people here have suffered poor road conditions that affected trade, healthcare access, education, and agriculture. This administration is changing that narrative,’ Olododo said, assuring that the project will be executed to the highest standards.

In their separate remarks, the Elerin of Erin-Ile, Oba Adesoye Adebowale Jimoh, and the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Abdulrazaq Adegboyega Afolabi, lauded the Governor for his transformational agenda.

‘Without good roads, there can be no meaningful development. With this, mobility and commerce will greatly improve,’ the Elerin said.

The Olojoku, who also conferred on Abdulrazaq the traditional title of Aare Bobaselu of Ojoku, said the road will significantly reduce travel time from Ojoku to Ilemona and nearby towns while enhancing commerce and connectivity.

Johnson Bamidele Adewumi,

Convener of the Kwara South Development Initiative, thanked the Governor for his unprecedented infrastructure drive.

‘Roads are as vital to communities as the backbone is to the human body. ‘When completed, this journey that currently takes hours will be reduced to minutes,’ he stated.

Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, APC chieftain, also commended the Governor’s commitment to legacy projects.

‘You are doing so much for Kwara South, not for re-election, but for legacy. We are documenting these achievements for posterity,’ he said.

Nigerians have been urged not to keep fretting over the tax reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration. The reforms have led to the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) and others.

Now, the reforms have been described as a bold initiative towards freeing sub-nationals from overdependence on federal allocations.

This comes against the backdrop of an over 70 percent dependence on oil revenue distributed through monthly federal allocations by many states in the country.

The fears were allayed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, by Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, president of the Chartered Institution of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). He did this while delivering a speech at the Tax Conference held in the Garden city on October 14, 2025, where he said the new tax laws have created an opportunity for states to drastically review their tax collection efforts and boost internally generated revenue (IGR).

He urged states in the federation to take advantage of the opportunities captured in the new tax laws by reviewing their tax collection processes and design, and deploying technology to automate the process.

Ohagwa, who is CITN’s 17th president, said that sub-nationals should rather focus on creating an enabling environment for willing compliance to tax payment among the citizenry.

‘The focus is not on paying tax. The focus of the reform will be to enhance the standard of living of the masses, the citizens, and secondly, to ensure that the tax compliance system is made easy.

‘And when you make tax compliance easy, the fallback position is that you will collect more, you will incur less costs, and the country will develop better,’ he said.

Ohagwa disagreed with the suggestion that the tax reforms have placed some states with less population demographics at a disadvantage, arguing that those with high net-worth individuals, such as Lagos and Rivers, are strategically positioned to reap the benefits of the tax laws.

He said, ‘Another area of advantage to the states is what we call presumptive regime, which the minister through the advice of the Joint Task Force is going to make available. States are going to leverage a lot on it.’

He said the benefits of the new tax laws for citizens will begin to manifest as the government begins administration of the reforms, urging individuals, tax authorities, and consultants to take advantage of the opportunities inherent.

Victoria Okokon, chairman, CITN’s Port Harcourt and District Society, said the tax reforms offer challenges and opportunities for sub-nationals.

She pointed out that the reforms were not designed to weaken revenue generation at the sub-national level, but to strengthen the ability of states to generate and boost their revenue.

Israel Onwuanaku Egbunefu, chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), presenting a paper on ‘Expanding the Tax Net beyond Salaries,’ said that 70 percent of the tax receipts in Rivers State is from Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

He said the need to wean the state of the over dependence on this source, and to diversify to other revenue sources, such as Blue and Digital economy, is both urgent and imperative.

Chris Yorkina, Rivers State Auditor General, pointed out that the design of the new tax laws is not to impoverish the poor, but to aid government drive for development.

He said tax officers should be abreast of the provisions of the new tax laws and be ready to guide citizens, who naturally lack knowledge, on them.

Yorkina pointed out that the new tax law repeals certain existing tax laws and creates a legal framework to strengthen simplicity, integrity, and efficiency in tax administration

Ignatius Chukwu, BusinessDay’s Regional Editor, said the informal sector in the state has been overtaxed, with traders and artisans paying for over 70 items on a ‘black market’ tax list.

He pointed out that low-income earners, such as artisans, who are exempt from PAYE, have been pushed into what he described as the ‘black market tax system,’ which is operated by non-state actors, and maintains a high tax incidence on the already overtaxed informal sector.

Chukwu urged the Rivers State government to enforce the autonomy granted the state internal revenue service (RIRS) by the law establishing it, arguing that this will allow the agency devise and implement initiatives that will boost the tax net and collection efforts.

Ezekiel Eden Williams, professor and Director of Eggheads International, presented a paper on ‘Subnational Expectations and Implementation of the New Tax Laws,’ while Chris Yorkina explored the New Tax Laws, as they relate to tax practitioners.