Category: Business Day

From November 28 to December 7, 2025, lovers of African stories, avid theatregoers, African diasporas and tourists alike would be enthralled with two bold theatrical performances at one of Nigeria’s finest beach resorts.

The two plays are: ‘The Noble Warrior’ and ‘Fork in The Road’, which are written and produced by Cash Onadele Aiye-Ko-Otoo, will stage daily from noon to dusk at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju – Lekki, Lagos.

Moreover, each story transcends borders and unites humanity, while being at the heartbeat of Africa, as well as bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable.

Apart from their drama, the performances will enthrall the audience through dance and drums like never experienced before.

Meanwhile, the dramaturgy is a new addition to spice up the activities lined up for the 10-day IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025, which is anticipated to welcome travellers from across Nigeria, Africa and the world to Lagos. Offering more details on the dramaturgy, the organisers assured that the new addition will spotlight Africa’s theatrical heritage in its purest, authentic and undiluted form, with all the elements of drama, music, dance, costumes, and lightening among others employed to create magic through telling original African stories.

Also, the 10 days and nights of entertainment and performances of elevated Black theatrics, according to the organisers, are targeted at a mixed audience and it would be two plays performed on stage by an ensemble of professional Nigerian artistes, with rich pedigree in performance and live theatre.

Due to the high expectations from the plays, the organisers are dubbing the theatrics ‘Africa Rising’, assuring that African stories will be told and showcased in a manner that has never been performed in history.

‘It will not just be a renaissance of some sorts alone but a reclaiming of Africa’s beauty and destiny through the creative fecundity of some of its brightest and talented sons and daughters,’ the organisers assured.

‘This is not just a carnival, it is a cultural awakening, a renaissance of an art form, and a celebration of history, heritage and cultural identity reborn for the world to see’.

Furthering the assurance, the organisers said that lovers of theatre, tourists, natives, investors, Diaspora returnees and dreamers are welcomed as they would be drawn to the renaissance that blends tradition with spectacles and arts with power and voice with imagination at the theatrical performance.

‘At the performances, theatre will become a weapon of pride, and a magnet for the world, Africa will take its rightful place on the global stage and you get a chance to stand in the centre of it all. Not just watch history unfold, but to join others, be entertained, celebrate and capture moments of ecstasy’. The Aiye-Ko-Otoo’s stories, according to them, are African stories that elevate theatre. ‘They are our story and your story. Tell the world, Aiye-Ko-Otoo is at IPADA Initiative 2025. You will not only come to watch, but become part of history and part of destiny.

”In this Africa’s rising, the spellbound stories are fury, fiery and fiercest. If you listen, you will hear drums, feet dance, voices heard, and you will experience the magic of theatre.

”Yes, it is a cultural revolution, a renaissance of an art form, a retell of history, rebirth of our heritage, and reclaim of Africa’s pride. In these Black theatrical masterpieces, power unfolds on stage unlike anything that the world had seen. Every story, every drum beat, every flame of performance, speaks one reality; Africa is the shell to the soul of man,’ the organisers concluded.

IPADA Initiative Celebrations, which debuted last year, was created by Wanle Akinboboye, founder and president, La Campagne and Motherland Beckons.

The celebrations are aimed at reimagining Africa through the support of its people globally.

It is designed to develop and promote tourism and economic development of Nigeria and Africa, attracting Africans in the Diaspora and lovers of the continent to visit their ancestral home, not only to reconnect with their roots, but also to contribute meaningfully to the economic development and growth of its human capital.

Lagos and Abuja are designated as the gateways to Nigeria and the continent, with different programmes planned all-year round and to climax in November and December, and a grand celebration at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort. It enjoys the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, state governors, corporate bodies, culture and tourism organisations and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, while President Bola Tinubu is its global ambassador, chief host and grand patron.

Speaking on the initiative, Akinboboye noted that the concept is all about bringing people of African descent back to their roots. ‘We have 32 million Diasporas in the Caribbean, 66 million in the United States of America, 120 million in Brazil, about 9.6 million in Europe. We need to entice them back to add value to the continent,’ Akinboboye said.

‘No country can develop without the Diasporas. So, IPADA is presenting the continent in a basket and creating an African shopping mall. The idea is to enable the Diasporas to visit all the countries on the continent.

The Abuja Continental Hotel (ACH) has been honored with the Distinguished Legacy Award for its outstanding contributions to elevating hospitality standards in Nigeria’s capital city.

The award was presented by Edvans Consult Ltd, in collaboration with the Institute of Hospitality (UK, Nigeria Region) and the Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants in Nigeria (ATHCON). The recognition celebrates the hotel’s enduring commitment to excellence, operational innovation, and its impact on the nation’s hospitality landscape.

Both Edvans Consult Ltd and the Institute of Hospitality have been instrumental partners in the Distinguished Legacy Award initiative, designed to recognize visionary leadership, sustainable operations, and lasting contributions within Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The presentation took place at the second edition of Hotel Owners’ Dinner Outreach, a premier annual gathering of key stakeholders, investors, regulators, and innovators shaping the future of the Nigerian hospitality industry.

Presenting the award, Femi Olowoyo, head of Edvans Consult Ltd, commended Abuja Continental Hotel for its exemplary performance and brand legacy. He emphasized that the Distinguished Legacy Award programme aims ‘to support hotel owners, operators, and investors in building sustainable, globally competitive brands that reflect the true potential of Nigeria’s hospitality sector.’

The event, held in Lagos, featured high-level discussions on investment opportunities, branding strategies, policy frameworks, and regulatory trends driving the sector’s evolution. Receiving the award on behalf of the hotel, Karl Hala, Group General Manager, expressed delight at the recognition, describing it as ‘a great honor and splendid news for both employees and our esteemed guests.’

‘We are thrilled and delighted that Abuja Continental Hotel has received the Distinguished Legacy Award. This recognition celebrates the hotel’s ongoing transformation and commitment to elevating hospitality in Nigeria’s capital city,’ Hala stated. He further noted that the hotel’s success stems from its continuous drive for service excellence, innovation, and guest satisfaction – values that have solidified its position as one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality brands.

‘This award is a testament to our team’s dedication and to the trust of our guests. I dedicate this recognition to the staff and management team for their hard work, passion, and pursuit of excellence,’ Hala added.

The Institute of Hospitality (IoH), one of the collaborating partners, is a world-leading professional membership body for hospitality professionals. Established in 1938, the IoH is committed to promoting continuing professional development, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning across all sectors of hospitality worldwide.

The Distinguished Legacy Award underscores Abuja Continental Hotel’s role as a benchmark for quality and innovation – reaffirming its leadership in redefining modern hospitality in Nigeria’s capital city.

Build Africa, the leading digital marketplace for building materials, has entered the building materials market with a credit facility for property builders and construction contractors.

The facility is to deploy over ?2 billion annually in credit, enabling faster access to construction materials and accelerating project timelines for thousands of builders.

To achieve this, the firm has partnered with Oze, a fintech platform, and together they have launched the credit facility known as the Build Africa Credit Scheme (BACS), a groundbreaking initiative offering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) financing to builders, contractors, and developers across Nigeria. BACS is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in the construction industry, which is access to affordable and timely financing.

Through a seamless digital application process, customers procuring building materials on www.buildafrica.store can now apply for short-term credit, receive approval within 24 hours, and use their approved loan amount directly at checkout, no collateral required.

‘We’re excited to power this initiative with Build Africa,’ Meghan McCormick, Co-founder of Oze, said. ‘Our goal is to make credit accessible to builders who are often overlooked by traditional lenders. This partnership brings together Oze’s data-driven lending model and Build Africa’s trusted supply chain to deliver real impact,’ he added. Oze is a leading African fintech platform that empowers financial institutions to launch and scale digital lending to small businesses. Through its operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, Oze has facilitated nearly $2 million in MSME loan disbursements.

The scheme is open to individuals, contractors, businesses, and diaspora customers funding construction projects in Nigeria. Approved applicants receive partial or full financing for their purchases, with flexible repayment terms of 30-45 days and interest rates starting as low as 5 percent. ‘Before this scheme, securing funds for building materials could take weeks and delay our timelines. Now, with Build Africa Credit Scheme, we get approvals within 24 hours and move straight to procurement. It has streamlined our operations and helped us deliver faster,’ Tope Runsewe, CEO, Dutum Construction, said.

Tayo Odunsi, CEO of Build Africa, noted, ‘This is more than just a credit product; it’s a tool for empowerment. Builders across Nigeria deserve tools that match their ambition. With Oze, we’re making that possible.’

BACS is now live on www.buildafrica.store/bacs-info. Customers can apply by selecting the ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ option at checkout and completing a secure digital form. Oze reviews applications and communicates decisions within 24 hours.

In a bold move to nurture the next generation of changemakers, Teach For Nigeria (TFN) has joined forces with the Oando Foundation, Enterprise Development Centre, and Wema Bank to empower social innovators across the country.

This strategic partnership aims to equip young leaders with the skills, resources, and support needed to drive transformative solutions in education and beyond, fostering a new wave of grassroots impact across Nigeria’s communities.

The organisation hosted the 2025 edition of its Incubation Hub Pitch Competition, an initiative designed to empower alumni of the TFN Fellowship Programme to transform their ‘Be The Change’ projects into scalable social enterprises.

The event, held in Lagos, brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and partners to witness 12 pioneering alumni showcase innovative solutions aimed at solving Nigeria’s most pressing education challenges.

Molade Adeniyi, chief executive officer oat Teach For Nigeria, in her remarks, highlighted the significance of the incubation hub as a driver of systemic change.

‘The incubation hub was launched as part of Teach For Nigeria’s commitment to empowering our alumni to lead change beyond the fellowship. Its purpose is to support the growth and scale of early-stage social innovations that address systemic challenges in education.

Earlier this year, we welcomed 30 outstanding early-stage social entrepreneurs, carefully selected from a competitive pool of 87 applicants. Over the last three months, participants have received enterprise development training, mentorship, and strategic support to refine their ideas into scalable and sustainable solutions,’ she said.

Adeniyi further emphasised the hub’s long-term impact, noting that since its launch in 2020, the programme has supported over 60 education-focused projects, disbursed more than N10 million in seed funding, and impacted over 2,500 educators and 15,000 children across Nigeria.

According to Adeniyi, the 2025 cohort featured 12 initiatives across five focus areas, such as EdTech and digital learning, Gender inclusive education, Climate change and environment, Teacher and school development, and Data-driven education and policy.

Victoria Peregrino, chairman of Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, in her goodwill message, praised TFN’s efforts.

‘Teach For Nigeria Fellows make a difference wherever we post them. They identify the challenges impeding students’ learning outcomes and find ways to make the best out of these challenges. You are doing a very good job and building the next generation of leaders,’ Peregrino said.

The grand finale featured pitches from the 12 innovators to a distinguished panel of judges: Tracy Akpofure, operations manager at Oando Foundation; Daniel Emenahor, head of higher education at British Council; Solomon Ayodele, head of product and technology Innovation at WEMA Bank, represented by Azeez Abdulyekeen; and Josephine Ewitat, COO at Alpha Michelle Appraisals Limited.

The 2025 Pitch Competition crowned Adetomiwa Awofeso, founder of Scholaride Initiative, as the winner for his innovative solution addressing literacy and numeracy gaps in Makoko through community learning hubs and the teaching at the right level methodology.

Olayinka Adeosun of STEAM Dock emerged as first runner-up, while Emmanuel Epueme of CareerLab clinched the second runner-up position.

The incubation hub, the organisers emphasised, will continue to run annually, serving as a platform to empower TFN alumni to grow their enterprises, unlock new opportunities, and advance education equity in Nigeria.

For years, the luxury watch market has been dominated by European names. But across Africa, a quiet shift is taking place. A number of African entrepreneurs are building wristwatch brands that speak to identity, craftsmanship, and ownership.

These brands combine precision with cultural meaning, telling African stories through design and detail. Beyond creating beautiful pieces, they are proving that luxury can also be homegrown.

Here are three luxury wristwatch brands owned by Africans making their mark on the global stage.

Asorock Watches (NigeriaandGambia)

Asorock Watches is a luxury wristwatch brand that fuses African heritage with global craftsmanship. Founded in 2018 by Ben Iroala, a Nigerian-American, and Andrew Mutale, a Zambian-American, the company was born from a shared frustration, the lack of luxury watch brands representing Africa on the world stage. Named after Aso Rock, the brand embodies strength, endurance, and pride in African identity. The journey began when Iroala and Mutale, both lifelong watch enthusiasts, realised that high-quality timepieces were often priced beyond reach. Determined to challenge this, they designed their first collection of six Miyota quartz watches, which debuted on Indiegogo in January 2019. Each timepiece was meticulously assembled using premium components sourced from Japan and other parts of Asia.

Micserah (Nigeria)

Micserah is a Nigerian-owned luxury wristwatch brand redefining what elegance means for the modern African. Founded in 2018 by Adekunle ‘Micheal’ Adeniji, the brand was born out of a desire to make high-quality timepieces both aspirational and attainable. The brand’s story began with frustration. Adeniji, a passionate watch lover, realised that luxury wristwatches in Nigeria were either too expensive or difficult to access. Rather than merely reselling foreign brands, he set out to build one that would carry the spirit of Nigerian craftsmanship and creativity. His goal was clear: to create premium, well-designed watches that speak the language of luxury without alienating the local buyer. Micserah’s timepieces are described as ‘affordable luxury’ – designed with originality, precision, and contemporary flair. From its headquarters in Lagos, with additional presence in Port Harcourt, Micserah has quickly established itself as one of Nigeria’s most recognised homegrown luxury brands. The company’s watches are accessories and statements of pride, with each piece symbolising the rise of African originality in global fashion culture.

Caveman watches (Ghana)

Caveman Watches is a New York Times-endorsed Ghanaian luxury watch manufacturer based in Accra, recognised for its blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and modern design. Founded on 12 December 2018 by Anthony Mensah Dzamefe, the brand has become Ghana’s leading watchmaking company. Anthony’s journey began in 2015, selling watches in Madina, in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. His passion for timepieces led to the creation of TimepieceGh, which later evolved into Caveman Watches. The name Caveman symbolises the fusion of vintage artistry and contemporary precision – hand-assembled watches made from sustainable materials that reflect originality and authenticity.

Within a year of its official launch, Caveman captured national and continental attention, resulting in a feature in The New York Times. The company’s defining moment came in 2023, when it crafted a bespoke 24k rose gold timepiece for global icon Beyoncé, featuring a honeycomb-inspired design, a dial made from 444 fallen bee wings, and an African cutout revealing a dancing tourbillon. Caveman’s creations have also adorned the wrists of Grammy-winner Angélique Kidjo, music producer Don Jazzy, actor Boris Kodjoe, and football star Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, highlighting the brand’s growing global reach.

Against the backdrop of major defections from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in recent times, Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the most important defection has not yet taken place.

Makinde, in his bi-monthly newsletter issued at the weekend, said that while the defections of some PDP governors into the All Progressives Congress (APC) might have taken over national discourse, Nigerians should focus on when hunger and deprivation defect out of Nigeria, as it is only then that prosperity can return and their pride restored.

According to the governor, Nigerians should pay attention to what truly matters and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by political realignments, which are mere distractions.

The newsletter read in part: ‘I am sure many of you have been following the recent defections of politicians-especially the governors who have left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties.

‘With these defections, political pundits have been busy reading meanings into every handshake and silence. I have watched as our national conversation once again turns to who is moving rather than what is moving. For me, the only defection that truly matters is the one that has not happened yet – the defection of hunger.

‘When I was asked about this wave of political cross-carpeting in a recent press conference, I said, ‘I will only be moved when hunger defects into the APC.’ I meant every word of it, because while people are busy changing parties, Nigerians are struggling to afford the basic necessities.

‘Families are being forced to make impossible choices daily. These are the real issues, not political realignment.We cannot continue pretending that everything is fine simply because someone in the government says so. What we are experiencing is the widening of inequality. While the rich are adjusting, the poor are sinking – and that is what must command our attention.

‘It is hunger, not partisanship, that fuels frustration and hopelessness. Until we deal with that, every political drama will remain a distraction.’

Reiterating his position that only the Nigerian people, who are faced with hunger and poverty, will decide the outcome of the 2027 general election, he stated that the PDP as a political party would put its acts together and provide a platform that could offer Nigerians relief where others have brought pains.

‘Let me say this again: no matter what the analysts predict, and no matter how many defections are engineered, it is the Nigerian people who will decide the outcome of the 2027 elections. Our job in the PDP is to continue to provide proof that we can deliver relief where others have brought pain.

‘As a party, the PDP once presided over a period of relative prosperity in this country. Nigerians may disagree on many things, but they remember when salaries had value, when businesses could plan, and when hope was not an illusion.

‘Our task now is to rebuild that trust and restore the PDP to what it should represent – a platform that prioritises people over politics.

‘In November, our party will hold its national convention in Ibadan, and I see it as more than just a gathering of party faithful. It will be an opportunity to reset, to reassert our values, and to send a clear message that we are focused on rebuilding lives, not merely rebuilding structures of power. So, my appeal is simple: stay engaged, stay focused, and do not lose faith in the power of your voice. The hunger that grips our nation today will not last forever – but only if we, together, refuse to normalise it.

‘Let others defect for convenience. Let us stand firm for conscience, because when hunger finally defects, prosperity will return – and so will our pride as a people,’ he added.

The governor pointed out that politics must serve humanity, as according to him, policies that are divorced from the realities of hunger, unemployment, and the erosion of dignity are not policies worth defending, stating that these are the real issues and not the defections.

According to him, I noted in my last newsletter, the core message of my book of the month, ‘Money: A Story of Humanity’ by David McWilliams, is that economic decisions are not about numbers.

‘Every decision that takes money out of people’s pockets moves them closer to poverty.Policies divorced from the realities of hunger, unemployment, and the erosion of dignity are not policies worth defending. My belief is that our politics must serve humanity.’

Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood delivered a sensational performance on Saturday night, scoring four goals as Marseille thrashed Le Havre 6-2 to move top of the Ligue 1 table.

Greenwood etched his name into Marseille’s history books by becoming the first player since Jean-Pierre Papin in 1991 to score four goals in a single Ligue 1 match. His dazzling display at the Stade Vélodrome reaffirmed his reputation as one of Europe’s most clinical finishers.

The game turned decisively in Marseille’s favour when Le Havre defender Gaultier Lloris was sent off for a handball, allowing Greenwood to open his account from the penalty spot. The Englishman then added three more goals in quick succession after the hour mark, capping a historic night that lifted OM to the summit of the French top flight.

Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi was full of praise for Greenwood’s performance and potential after the match.

‘Mason can become one of the best players in the world,’ De Zerbi said. ‘He’s already a top player in front of goal, but he can still improve as a team player. I want to protect him; he works hard and never misses a training session.’

Greenwood’s heroics take his tally to seven goals in 10 appearances for OM this season. The 24-year-old also equalled Glenn Hoddle’s long-standing record for the most goals by an English player in Ligue 1 since the 1947/48 season, with 27 in total.

His remarkable form continues a resurgence that began last year, when he netted 21 goals in his debut Ligue 1 season.

Controversy trailed a directive by Lawal Pedro, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, ordering a fresh investigation into a protracted Lekki land dispute already before the Lagos High Court.

The move, which has drawn sharp criticism from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), is described as a potential abuse of prosecutorial powers and an affront to judicial independence.

At a press conference held in Abuja, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s national coordinator, criticised the Attorney-General’s reported decision to reopen investigations into the case, which is currently being prosecuted before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court.

According to HURIWA, the case involves a contested Lekki property acquired in 2005 by Obidigwe Eze., a U.S.-based dentist.

The group explained that the property was allegedly demolished and taken over in Eze’s absence, leading to a criminal prosecution on a five-count charge after an investigation by the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB) of the Force Criminal Investigation Department.

Despite the matter being active in court, HURIWA alleged that the Attorney-General has directed a new round of investigation, a move the association described as unnecessary, unconstitutional, and capable of undermining judicial independence.

Quoting Section 211(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, Onwubiko stressed that while the Attorney-General has the authority to institute or discontinue criminal proceedings, such powers must be exercised ‘in the public interest, in the interest of justice, and to prevent abuse of legal process.’

‘The Attorney-General’s powers are not absolute; they are circumscribed by law, morality, and accountability. Any action that undermines a pending trial disrespects the judiciary and erodes public trust’, Onwubiko said.

It warned that any appearance of bias, interference, or undue influence in the matter would be a ‘serious affront to constitutional principles.’ ‘Any conduct that even remotely suggests bias, influence, or compromise is not only unethical, it is unconstitutional,’ he stated.

HURIWA said the development reflects a growing trend in which prosecutorial powers are allegedly weaponised to shield politically connected individuals from justice through mechanisms such as nolle prosequi.

‘The Office of the Attorney-General must never be reduced to a political sanctuary for the powerful. Its legitimacy rests on its ability to defend justice, not obstruct it’, Onwubiko warned.

The association urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to ensure the safety of Eze, witnesses, and their legal representatives. It also called on the Lagos State Government to allow the ongoing trial to proceed without interference.

HURIWA reminded the federal government of its obligation to protect Nigerians in the diaspora who invest back home, saying that the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system was at stake.

‘Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. If this culture of interference is allowed to persist, it will embolden criminals, destroy public trust, and entrench impunity’, Onwubiko said.

Nigeria’s main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is currently facing widespread internal unrest and a surge in defections that have affected several of its state chapters and national leadership structure.

The defections which have intensified is a culmination of the internal crisis which has split the once largest political party prior to the 2023 general election.

Although politicians, especially those in the opposition moving from one party to another is synonymous with Nigeria’s politics since 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule. Many pundits and leading politicians have called for the amendment of the Electoral Act and the 1999 constitution to allow defecting elected officials to lose their seat or position immediately.

Amid criticism among Nigerians, in the last few months, four PDP governors have defected to the ruling party, while there are rumours that others would join.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori made a similar switch earlier in the year.

In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah formally defected to the APC last Tuesday, drawing criticism from PDP national leaders who described the move as ‘unfortunate’ but said it would not weaken the party. As if Mbah’s defection was not enough, Bayelsa State Governor, Diri also last week announced his decision to join the train, by dumping PDP for the APC.

There are also rumours that Agbu Kefas’ the Taraba State governor, is also planning to defect to the ruling party.

Apart from the governor’s defections, many state chapters are also engulfed in one crisis or the other.

Some months ago, in Edo State, a faction loyal to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike conducted a parallel congress and elected a separate executive, deepening the ongoing leadership crisis within the state chapter.

However, political watchers say the current wave of defections is unprecedented due to the timing and pace.

Many citizens are concerned that the continued defection of opposition governors to the ruling party raises concerns about the country sliding into a one-party state.

This development has strengthened APC’s foothold in Southern Nigeria and weakened the PDP in its otherwise stronghold ahead of the 2027 general election. ‘Defections desperate attempts by Tinubu to consolidate power base’

Despite denial on several occasions, political analysts say what is clear is that the President is desperate to win re-election and would do anything for that dream to materialise.

Knowing his influence and popularity in Northern Nigeria is waning significantly due to discontent over his administration’s policies and the defection of notable APC leaders to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu is desperate to control more states in the South to make up the numbers.

Furthermore, the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari has led to the dismantling of the Congress for Progressive (CPC) which formed part of the APC bloc in many states.

In recent months, many top politicians who worked with Buhari for eight years and worked for Tinubu’s victory in 2023, have been alienated within the APC. These individuals left the party in annoyance to join the opposition coalition which fused into the ADC.

Pundits James Amekede said it was obvious Tinubu is desperate to win more ground in the south, especially after attempts to lure Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), whose party controls Kano State, with it one million votes at stake appearing unsuccessful.

‘I think they realise that anything can happen in the north. He has lost ground there, many APC leaders are leaving for the ADC and he wants those votes from southern states,’ Amekede stated.

Currently, With Mbah defection last Tuesday, the APC controls three of the five South East states Imo, Ebonyi and now Enugu, while Anambra, governed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has already endorsed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

Pundits said it may be too early to say if the defections of the PDP governors to the APC may mean Tinubu would win such a state in 2027.

Many citizens have advised President Tinubu to concentrate on delivering campaign promises rather than making desperate attempts to lure opposition governors to join the APC.

‘If he has done well and is popular, why is he afraid and doing all these to win? Let your work speak for you. What is happening is bad for our democracy, the country moving to one party state’, Jhon Eno, a lawyer, told BusinessDay. Fear of prosecution for corruption?

Pundits say the fear of prosecution by anti-agencies after leaving office could be one of the reasons the PDP governors are moving to the APC to seek cover, knowing they would not be investigated.

Many defecting politicians and governors to the APC are doing that to secure their future, avoid investigation, or preserve influence as the PDP struggles with internal crises.

‘Some are calculating and want to avoid being tried after office, so joining the ruling party seems the safest thing to do,’

‘The PDP is facing the implications of its loss of power and doesn’t appear ready to give the APC a run for its money, though anything can happen.’ Tola Okewale, public affairs analysts said there are governors who are facing corruption cases after leaving office because they refused to join the APC, stressing that those moving to the ruling party may just be doing so to hide their back from prosecution.

According to him, everyone knows if you move to APC your sins would be forgiven, so why not join and save yourself.

‘The governors that refused to join are facing issues in court after leaving office and their passport taken away.

‘Because we don’t have politicians with morals and strong character they are easily lured, or how would you explain the current situation.’

Sam Amadi, a policy strategist and expert in law and governance, told BusinessDay, said the defection is because of self-preservation.

Amadi who is the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, noted that many of the governors defecting does not do so because of political ideology.

According to him, the need for security remains a push factor.

‘They have no confidence in the electoral process,’ he said. Coercion, PDP’s internal crisis fuelling exodus

The PDP has been struggling with internal discord since its defeat in the 2023 presidential election. Factions remain loyal to different power blocs, particularly between the G5 Governors and the national leadership.

The lack of clear direction, leadership disputes, and allegations of marginalization are pushing some governors to seek more stable ground observers say.

‘There’s no longer a sense of unity or purpose in the PDP,’ said one top party official who spoke anonymously. ‘People are looking out for their interests.’

Currently, despite moves by PDP leaders including the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde there are growing fears the planned convention may not hold due to litigation and serious moves to stop the convention by aggrieved members.

‘Many state chapters are in crisis, and there is no sign the issues would be settled before the 2027 polls. Some of them are also afraid about who would sign their nomination form if they seek re-election since there is conflict about the party’s secretary, ‘Temitope Musowo, political analyst, said.

Similarly, there are also reports many PDP members including governors are being coerced to join the APC. There are allegations that many politicians have been lured to join the APC with one benefit or the other.

Some days ago, the PDP chairmen forum condemned what it described as the APC’s undemocratic and desperate attempts to pressure PDP governors, lawmakers, and other stakeholders into defecting.

‘The ruling party’s conduct amounts to an assault on democracy and a dangerous move toward creating a one-party state,’ the communiqué said.

You must vacate your position when you defect – Obi

Peter Obi, presidential candidate in the 2023 general election said reform was urgently needed before the 2027 elections in the nation to safe- guard Nigeria’s democracy and check the wave of defection among elected public office holders.

Obi called for an amendment to the current Electoral Act to check the wave of defection of politicians, noting that defection should only happen during the electioneering process.

According to him, there must be a total change to our electoral process from conduct to make our democracy acceptable.

‘If you must defect, you must vacate your position. It is only during elections that people can change party’.

Similarly, other political stakeholder and citizens say there was the need to sanitise the electoral system ahead of future polls.

‘What is happening is sad, we can’t continue like this, there must be a law to check this trend, but I doubt that lawmakers at the National Assembly would do it’, Samuel Oko, a lecturer said. Defections could lead to authoritarianism

Sylvester Odion Akhaine, a political science lecturer said even though he does not believe the country could slide into one party state, the current wave of defections pose a problem to the country’s democracy that could lead to authoritarianism.

The professor further pointed out that the defection could also lead to censorship and freedom in the country, stressing that governors moving to the APC are doing so for many reasons.

According to him, ‘The movement has been there, but under Tinubu it is very common. Many of the people are doing so for many several reasons. Some want to protect their roots in their state.

‘The FG has the tool of EFCC and they can harass them, but it could also be an ambush that the governors want to be secure and at the eleventh hour they would leave.

‘It can also be a southern solidarity for Tinubu that is going on, because a certain element in the current north is uncomfortable with the power-sharing arrangement.

‘Maybe the governors are in solidarity with Tinubu and want power to remain in south.’

The Uyo fashion week, a yearly masterclass on creativity is gradually emerging as a standout tourism event and is showcasing talented designers to boost their entrepreneurship skills in Akwa Ibom.

Now it its fifth year, it has become a platform to reach designers on how to commercialise their enterprise in the creative industry.

With a runway that is attracting designers from far and near, it is contributing to the growing tourism sector and presenting Akwa Ibom at its best in terms of designers and their creativity.

Mae Edmond, the convener of the Uyo Fashion week believes it is a pathway for the young ones who need to be encouraged to boost their talents.

‘We want to showcase Akwa Ibom at its best. We want to showcase the creativity that we have. Because I believe that Akwa Ibom is beautiful. Got creative, talented designers even young ones who just needed the pathway, and platform where they can begin to showcase their creativity and and talents,

‘And by showcasing that, we are able to teach them how to commercialise their enterprise and invariably how to upscale and when they do this, the economy begins to witness a boost.

‘The creative industry is one sector that is powerful, because everybody is affected by the creative sector. Nobody goes out of his house, without the creative industry affecting him, every human being, from what you are wearing, to your shoes, your tie, your perfume,your glasses, your jewelry, it is often in the creative industry.

‘So, for us to be able to showcase Akwa Ibom at its best, we needed to create Uyo Fashion Week, it is about us as a people, as a state, to be able to showcase that which we have and then be able to upscale the creativity within the state,’ she said.

Speaking in an interview to kick start its programme for the fifth year, she expressed optimism that subsequent events would contribute to the amazing work being done by Governor Umo Eno in the tourism industry under the state government’s economic blueprint known as the Arise Agenda which clearly outlines how each each can contribute to the development of the state.

‘We have four years of doing this, and we are looking forward to the fifth year, it is going to be bigger and better, and we know that as we continue to strive to put us on the map, along with the amazing work that the governor is doing under the Arise Agenda, and promoting so much in the tourism industry; so, that is why we thought as designers, to stand up, begin to do our beats in the economy so that working with the government, there can be collaboration and synergy and together we can build bigger Akwa Ibom brand,’ he said.

With support from Ibom Air, the state government’s owned airline, the Uyo Fashion week is set to be an enduring tourism event that will continue to attract tourists to Akwa Ibom state and a veritable platform for assisting designers upscale their businesses.

Highlighting on the need for entrepreneurs to key into the N4bn revolving credit fund available in the state, Meflyn Anwana, an entrepreneur described modelling as an art, fashion as a business and urged designers to secure credit facility being provided by the state government in partnership with the Bank of Industry to ‘build their brands’

Anwana who is also an aide to Governor Umo Eno on entrepreneurship disclosed that over 100 entrepreneurs have so far accessed a total of N10m each for their businesses indicating the governor is passionate about the creative industry.

She urged other organisations to partner with the Convener of the Uyo Fashion Week to boost the tourism industry of Akwa Ibom State.