Category: Business Day

George Russell takes pole in Singapore for the first time in his career with a stunning lap in Q3, and is joined on the front row by Max Verstappen.

It was Mercedes’ first pole in Singapore since Hamilton set his famous lap in 2018 and came as a surprise as Russell gatecrashed Norris and Piastri’s fight.

Russell’s first pole since the Canadian Grand Prix in June, which he won, was achieved by 0.182 seconds from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Russell finished second at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix two weeks ago.

McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri took third place, with his title rival and team-mate Lando Norris fifth, behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc took sixth and seventh. Verstappen and Piastri both failed to improve on their final laps – and the Dutchman blamed that on Norris going slowly in front of him in the final sector.

The incident happened on the run to the final corner, where Norris was on the inside coming into the pits as Verstappen sought to complete his lap. Verstappen, who looked angry about the situation in the immediate aftermath of qualifying, said: ‘Without that I think it would have been close for pole.’

Norris shrugged the incident off, saying ‘Ah, they always complain. They complain about everything. It’s Red Bull. I was like three seconds ahead or something.’

Asked whether his brush with the wall on his first lap was a kiss or a hit, Russell said: ‘A bit more of a snog.

‘When you’re on a really strong lap and you just touch the wall like that, you’re a little bit tentative going into the next corner.’

Also, Williams drivers disqualified from Singapore GP qualifying for technical breaches

Williams received some bad news after qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, with both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz being disqualified.

Both Williams cars Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz failed post-qualifying checks on their rear wings.

Albon and Sainz placed 12th and 13th in Saturday night’s session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit but will lose those results after the team failed post-Qualifying checks.

‘The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car numbers 23 (Albon) and 55 (Sainz),’ read a note from FIA F1 Technical Delegate Jo Bauer. ‘Both cars exceeded the maximum limit of 85mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.’

This violates Article 3.10.10 g. of the Technical Regulations, which covers the Drag Reduction System (DRS) and states that ‘at all points along the span, when the DRS is in the state of deployment, the two sections the rear wing profiles must have a minimum gap of between 9.4mm and 85mm.’

The Career, Business, and Skill Acquisition (CABSA) summit, where millions of naira are disbursed in grants, is a practical response to society’s needs, Olumide Emmanuel, Founder/General Overseer of Calvary Bible Church, Alimosho, Lagos, has explained.

The annual summit, organized by the church, also offers free career and business clinics to residents of the surrounding communities.

The 2025 edition, the 8th in the series, with the theme ‘The Alimosho Exhibition and Business Summit,’ began on Wednesday, October 1, and is concluding today, Sunday, October 5, 2025. It has turned the church premises into a hub of trade, learning, and empowerment amid economic hardship.

Emmanuel says the initiative is the core of his ministry’s mission, stressing that ‘the salt is useless if it remains in the bottle. Your impact is not in the four walls where you clap hands and dance. As a church, as a ministry, we are a kingdom church. We are doing this because that’s what Jesus called us to do.’

He explained that the initiative, which began nine years ago as a skill acquisition programme during Easter, has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem for empowerment.

CABSA 8.0, he said, now features an exhibition hall for local businesses, a career clinic, a business clinic, a full business summit with panel sessions, and an ‘open market’ where essential goods are sold at factory prices.

The wealth coach revealed that the church will disburse ‘multiple millions of naira’ in grants at the end of the 5-day event, continuing a tradition that has seen hundreds of entrepreneurs receive funding over the years.

He emphasised that the success isn’t measured in financial returns but in transformed lives. ‘In the kingdom, you can spend N100 million to win one soul because one soul is more valuable than $1 trillion. We are seeing people now knowing what to do with their finances, starting businesses, employing other people,’ he explained.

This vision is embodied by exhibitors like Favour Ogedengbe, a fashion designer and cosmetics consultant.

‘CABSA 8.0 has really given me visibility,’ said Ogedengbe, a university graduate who turned to her business full-time after finishing school in August.

‘The kind of visibility I’ve gotten here is different. This one, you’re having one-on-one people. You’re seeing them face-to-face,’ she said, rediting a previous church exhibition for building her initial customer base.

The exhibition also attracted innovative startups. Assistant General Manager of Pertinence Group, Tolulope Oduselu, showcased a new fintech platform, ‘Genius by Pettisave’. He commended the church’s role.

‘The church has a significant role to play in society, and one of the most important roles is also to help people, and business is one of the critical pillars.

‘So allowing businesses to exhibit themselves and sell their products and services, and bring people together, is a symbol of unity, but it’s also a symbol of support for the community and the nation at large,’ Oduselu noted.

Another first-time exhibitor, Temitope Ayo-Joshua of Eagle Foods, participating in the wholesale open market, said: ‘We are here to sell, to make our people happy, and to get the goods as cheap as possible.’

She described CABSA as ‘an impactful programme’ that builds confidence and encourages businesses to ‘go the extra mile to make their business known to the world.’

Looking ahead, Emmanuel envisions continuous scaling. He projects that by CABSA 10.0, grant disbursements could reach tens of millions, impacting hundreds more businesses. However, he was clear about the role of government.

‘I’m not waiting for government,’ he stated, advocating for strong institutions over ad-hoc support. ‘Let the government do its job. Let them do what they were voted for. And we’ll do our own,’ he stated.

For Emmanuel, the ultimate motivation remains singular: To transform lives’.

‘Jesus came to die so that people can be saved. What we are doing is transforming lives, because our lives are being transformed by the sacrifice on the cross. Let us also transform the lives of people by sacrificing our time, our energy, our resources in the little way that we can,’ he added.

A multi-million-dollar deal was recently sealed by Veritasi Homes and Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited (COOPLAG) who also turned the sod to develop 11-floor luxury residential tower in the highbrow Ikoyi neighbourhood.

The new development, known as Allied Towers, is a new addition to the numerous luxury residential developments stats in this neighbourhood. It will be bringing 26 premium apartments and penthouses to the market.

The 11-floor project, sitting on a 1,431-square metre prime plot on McGregor Street, is part of a multi-million dollar partnership deal between Veritasi Homes and COOPLAG.

It is backed by a consortium of major financial institutions and marks a multi-million-dollar partnership aimed at redefining urban living and cooperative investment in Nigeria.

The Towers is strategically nestled amidst high profile neighbours, including Ikoyi Golf Club, Microsoft Head Office and the new US Consulate General, blending cutting-edge architecture with premium amenities.

The developers assure that residents will enjoy premium amenities, including a gym, relaxation area, dedicated recreational floor, landscaped grounds and secure parking for residents.

The chief promoter, Veritasi Homes, is recognized by the Financial Times as one of Africa’s fastest-growing firms, and by this new development, it continues its innovation-driven expansion with over 1,000 homes delivered and 12 landmark projects launched in just seven years.

Nola Adetola, the chief executive officer of Veritasi Homes, says the project is a bold new chapter in Lagos’ skyline.

‘Today, as we break ground on Allied Towers, we are declaring possibility and our determination to do something meaningful with it. Together with COOPLAG, we begin a new chapter in Lagos’ skyline, in Nigeria’s housing story, and in Veritasi’s journey,’ he noted.

Adetola recalled, ‘Eight years ago, we looked at Nigeria’s real estate market and asked: Can we do better? That question gave birth to Veritasi Homes.

‘Guided by integrity, innovation, and customer-centricity, we began in 2017 with a small team and a big vision: to create developments that deliver value as reliably as they deliver shelter,’ he stated.

Projecting into the future, the chief executive said, ‘We envision a Veritasi that spans continents, a brand so trusted that wherever you see ‘Veritasi,’ you expect quality, innovation, and integrity. COOPLAG, we are honored to have you walk this journey with us. To our investors and future homeowners, this is your opportunity to own a share of Lagos.’

Francis Adeoye, President of COOPLAG, underscored the significance of the project and the vision behind it.

According to him, ‘Today, we are not just breaking ground, we are breaking barriers. We are laying the foundation for a future where cooperative strength meets architectural excellence, where innovation meets legacy, and where our members and stakeholders can aspire to live in spaces that reflect their values, ambitions, and achievements.’

‘This is the realisation of a shared dream, a dream to redefine urban living and empower our members. For over three decades, COOPLAG has stood as a beacon of cooperative strength, financial empowerment, and community development,’ he added.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed confidence that Alexander Isak will soon find his best form and build a strong partnership with Mohamed Salah in the Reds’ attack.

Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a record British transfer during the summer, has endured a slow start to life at Anfield. The Swedish striker is yet to hit top form, and the Reds have struggled in recent weeks, losing their last three matches.

Following Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night, Slot maintained faith in his forward duo, insisting that time and consistency will help them gel.

‘The more they play together, the more they will click,’ Slot said. ‘You have to work really hard to reach a certain level, and it’s very difficult in football because you’re also playing against very good teams. Maintaining that level takes time and continuity.’ The Dutch manager highlighted the impact of Liverpool’s busy summer and limited training opportunities on team cohesion.

‘It’s clear that we had many changes during the summer, and the players arrived at different times,’ he added.

‘Last week, there was hardly any training time. Still, we have to integrate these players and help them adapt. If the result had been better today, even a draw or a win, it would’ve been seen as a good start to the season considering everything that’s happened at Liverpool.’

Despite recent setbacks, Slot remains optimistic that Isak will soon settle and deliver the goals that justified his record-breaking move.

In Port Harcourt’s Mile 1 Diobu, life unfolds with a restless energy that fills the day. From the early hours of morning until late afternoon, the stretch of road where the Business Day newspaper house is located becomes a melting pot of trade, movement, and survival.

At first glance on a walk with Kelechi Nwaocha, a senior journalist, the scene looks ordinary a marketplace like many others across Nigeria. But a closer walk reveals the layers of a city bursting at its seams. Traders set up their tables side by side, often selling the very same items.

Fruit baskets and student’s school materials compete for buyers’ attention, each seller convinced that their voice will rise above the chorus.

Others spread their wares directly on pedestrian walkways, narrowing the space for passersby who must dodge both goods and oncoming vehicles.

The road itself is a constant drama. Hawkers snake through the gridlock, drivers honk and shout for passengers, while pedestrians push against the tide of noise and movement. In the rush, safety is often an afterthought. On one side of the road, a group of schoolchildren stand hesitantly, waiting for the chance to cross. With no traffic lights, no zebra crossings, and no one to guide them, each step forward feels like a gamble. For drivers, too, the risks are visible. Reckless overtaking, sudden stops, and the ever-present fear of brake failure hang over a road already made narrow by traders spilling into the street. Accidents here are not just possible-they are almost predictable.

And yet, amid the chaos, life continues to find a way. Incomplete and abandoned buildings that line the area have become shelters. Inside them, families and individuals create homes out of scraps, covering windows with zinc sheets and nylon to keep out the wind. These improvised shelters may be fragile, but they provide something far greater than walls: the dignity of having a place to belong.

Still, Mile 1 Diobu is not only about hardship. It is also about accessibility. On this single stretch, one can find almost everything needed for daily life: a bustling market, churches like the nearby Anglican church, banks, filling stations, and even the newspaper office itself. For residents, convenience is never far away.

Mile 1 Diobu is a paradox crowded yet vibrant, chaotic yet indispensable. It is a place where survival is played out every day on a stage shared by traders, schoolchildren, drivers, and worshippers. For anyone who pauses to watch, the street tells its own story: of struggle, resilience, and the unending rhythm of life in Port Harcourt.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future disruptor; it is a present weapon for democracy, which faces the dual pressures of internal erosion and external manipulation today.

Around the world, AI is already being used to weaken democracies, manipulate public opinion, prop up authoritarian regimes and dampen diplomatic credibility. Yet the risks are not confined to national borders. A recent DW report warned that AI-driven disinformation could destabilise elections across Africa in the coming years. With 18 African countries scheduled to hold elections between 2025 and 2026, the stakes are global. As these reports emphasise, Africa is one of the key battlegrounds where the integrity of democracy will be tested by the malevolent use of AI. Technology has become a tool of destabilisation and control, with AI-generated deepfakes sowing doubt in elections and synthetic propaganda amplifying the appeal of military juntas. This dual threat makes AI one of the defining battlegrounds of the 21st century, and for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous democracy, the question is not whether AI will shape our political and social life, but how we choose to govern AI in ways that strengthen our democracy rather than undermine it.

The evidence is mounting. In Nigeria’s 2023 elections, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns flooded social media, fuelling polarisation and public scepticism about democratic institutions. This is not a uniquely Nigerian problem but part of a global trend. A 2024 report from the Institute for Security + Technology warned that AI-powered disinformation campaigns are now a norm, with direct consequences for electoral integrity and citizen participation.

What Nigeria experienced in 2023 is not an isolated episode. It is a preview of the aggressive information warfare already unfolding in its neighbourhood. In the Sahel, technology is accelerating authoritarian consolidation. In Burkina Faso, for example, deepfake videos have transformed Captain Ibrahim Traoré into a mythic figure, depicted as Africa’s messiah in digital campaigns featuring AI-generated music, starlike endorsements, and grandiose claims about infrastructure and social programmes. In one wave of AI-generated content, a synthetic announcement by American Pan-Africans purportedly supporting the junta surfaced days after France withdrew its troops. In Mali, manipulated content on social media frames France and the UN as complicit in prolonging insecurity and exploiting the region’s resources, while in Niger, AI-generated videos amplify pro-junta messaging and discredit calls for a return to civilian rule. These campaigns are often linked to Russian-influenced information networks, illustrating how generative AI is now a tool in the geopolitical competition over Africa’s political future, shaping public support for undemocratic regimes and destabilising regional governance. If Nigeria fails to respond decisively, the same forces could undermine its institutions, deepen polarisation, and destabilise West Africa’s largest democracy. Meanwhile, surveys confirm the danger is real as faith in democracy is declining across Africa. Afrobarometer reports that while roughly two-thirds of Africans still prefer democratic rule, support has fallen by seven percentage points in the last decade due to military coups and corruption. In 2025, the Mo Ibrahim Index noted that 78 per cent of Africans live in countries where governance and democratic participation have worsened, often due to repression of civic and media freedoms. This context makes AI-fuelled disinformation a force multiplier for democratic decay because it accelerates the spread of false narratives, erodes trust in legitimate institutions, and overwhelms citizens’ ability to discern truth from fabrication.

By amplifying conspiracy theories, delegitimising elections, and glorifying authoritarian figures, AI-driven campaigns deepen cynicism and normalise undemocratic alternatives. For Nigeria, this is a national security challenge, not just a technological one.

The dual-use nature of AI – capable of tampering with democracies yet also empowering authoritarian actors – underscores the urgency of crafting global governance frameworks. The responsibility is twofold for Nigeria: to safeguard its democracy at home and to champion norms abroad that ensure technology does not undermine Africa’s democratic future. In that regard, democracy in the age of AI requires more than defensive measures. It demands proactive investment in digital literacy, robust regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation. Here, Nigeria can lead by example. With more than 220 million citizens, half of them under the age of 19, Nigeria represents both the vulnerability and potential of the digital era. A youthful population that is globally connected but unevenly protected from digital manipulation is at once a risk factor and a resource for resilience.

This makes Nigeria the best-placed country to set the tone for an African-led response, and the country has already begun to act in tangible ways. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched the development of a National AI Policy Framework to regulate the ethical use of emerging technologies in governance and electoral processes. Just recently, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria unveiled N-ATLAS, a pioneering AI language model trained in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian-accented English – a bold signal that the country is staking its claim in shaping global AI technology in ways that reflect African voices and realities. Fact-checking civil society organisations such as Dubawa have deployed AI-powered tools to detect and debunk disinformation in real time, especially during election cycles. These domestic initiatives are reinforced by Nigeria’s multilateral engagement. The government is aligned with UNESCO to train its civil service on AI and digital governance, embedding global best practices into public institutions. Diplomatically, Nigeria has used its influence in ECOWAS and at the African Union to press for stronger regional standards on electoral integrity and emphasise African agency in multilateral forums. Taken together, these actions show that Nigeria is actively building the frameworks, tools, and alliances needed to protect democracy and set a model for the continent.

This is where Nigeria’s soft power can be most effective. Nollywood and Afrobeats are reshaping global perceptions of African creativity; extending this influence to digital democracy is a natural progression. Nigeria can spearhead a continental coalition on AI ethics, champion digital literacy campaigns targeting its massive youth population, and continue to press for African inclusion in global AI governance forums. Such initiatives would not only protect Nigeria’s democracy but also give Africa a voice in shaping the rules of a technology that will define the future of governance worldwide.

Leadership also means leading by example. Nigeria’s own electoral reforms, including the digitisation of voter registration and the expansion of civic education, must be accelerated to show that technology can strengthen democracy. Regulation should focus not only on punitive measures but also on supporting innovation that defends civic space, protects human rights, and enhances transparency. Such leadership would reinforce Nigeria’s credibility as a defender of democratic norms in a period where coups and authoritarian backsliding have threatened regional stability.

The age of AI will test democracies everywhere, but it also offers an opportunity to reimagine global cooperation. Nigeria has the size, the voice, and now the tools to lead Africa’s response. The choice is stark: allow external actors to script the future of its democracy or shape the rules of engagement for a digital century. Acting decisively now would turn Nigeria’s domestic vulnerabilities into diplomatic capital. That is the essence of soft power: projecting influence through culture or diplomacy, while embodying solutions that others seek to emulate.

The world is entering uncharted territory where the boundaries between truth and falsehood can be engineered with a few lines of code. Nigeria cannot afford to be a passive recipient of these forces. Our responsibility, and indeed our opportunity, is to help shape how democracy survives, adapts and thrives in this new era.

Complicit in what?

Could you make it explicit how AI is a multiplier for democratic decay?

Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced that the construction of the N2 Transit Way road, linking Wuse Zone 3 to the Central Business District of Abuja, is expected to attract significant investment into the territory.

Wike stated this during the official flag-off ceremony for the project in Abuja.

He described road infrastructure as critical to economic growth and a major factor in attracting both local and international investors.

The minister emphasized the role of road infrastructure as the backbone of any modern city’s economic growth.

He noted that the N2 Transit Way is one of several infrastructure initiatives marking the third-year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

‘Good roads are essential to development. When cities are connected, they become magnets for investment and growth,’ Wike said. ‘The N2 road project shows our commitment to positioning Abuja as a model city with roads, schools, health facilities, and investor-friendly policies.’

Highlighting Abuja’s growing profile among international investors, Wike cited a Dubai-based company’s commitment to replicate the Dubai City Walk project within the FCT, signaling confidence in the territory’s potential.

The N2 corridor, supported by two strategic bridges, began as a citizen-led initiative around the TY Danjuma Foundation before the FCTA expanded its scope to improve connectivity between the Central Business District and Wuse District. The Minister pledged strict supervision of contractors to ensure timely and quality delivery.

In addition to the road project, Wike announced plans to rehabilitate at least 40 additional schools, supplementing 70 ongoing school projects 45 of which have been completed, adding that attention will soon shift toward upgrading healthcare facilities, reflecting the administration’s broad approach to development. ‘Time waits for nobody. We are committed to delivering these projects efficiently,’ Wike said, urging officials to maintain round-the-clock coordination.

The Minister also revealed that project inaugurations will continue through October, with further initiatives aimed at transforming Abuja’s economy and urban landscape set for unveiling in November.

Mariya Mahmoud, FCT minister of state described it as a milestone in improving connectivity, reducing traffic congestion, and facilitating movement within the city center.

She credited the National Assembly for its consistent support and collaboration in ensuring budgetary attention to the FCT, noting, ‘Today, we are seeing the benefits of such partnerships.’

Dele Alake, Nigeria’minister of solid minerals development, has urged African nations to transform their vast mineral wealth into a foundation for industrialisation rather than remain suppliers of raw materials to global markets.

Speaking at the African Mining Week in Cape Town, South Africa, Alake, who chairs the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), called for a unified vision to make minerals the fulcrum of Africa’s transformative industrialization.

‘Africa’s minerals have powered industrialisation elsewhere while our own economies remain under-industrialized. This paradox must end,’ he stated.

Represented by Farouk Yabo, permanent secretary to the ministry, the minister outlined Nigeria’s reforms aimed at boosting local value addition, including gold refining, lithium processing, and the revocation of dormant licenses to attract credible investors.

He stated that Nigeria is digitizing mining processes to enhance transparency and traceability, while working to amend the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act to strengthen the sector’s legal framework.

Alake also emphasized that all Nigerian minerals will henceforth be traceable to either licensed holders or registered artisanal and small-scale miners. At the AMSG ministerial roundtable, the minister highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to building strong institutions and policies that will help achieve the country’s $1 trillion economy target by 2030.

He further urged African countries to prioritize geological mapping and effective supervision of mining operations, noting that only licensed operators should be allowed to mine.

Nigeria was also featured in the Country Spotlight Session, where Yabo presented investment opportunities in the nation’s solid minerals sector and incentives available to investors.

The event was attended by mining ministers from DRC, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone, alongside representatives from Ghana, Gambia, and major private sector players across the continent, according to a statement signed by Segun Tomori, special assistant on Media to the minister of Solid Minerals Development.

Sharafadeen Alli, an All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator that represents the Oyo South Senatorial District, has revealed plans for an agricultural partnership with foreign investors to empower youths and support farmers in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Alli, who disclosed this when Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Rafiu Ariwoola paid him a courtesy visit in his Ibadan residence. He said that agriculture remained a cornerstone of economic development, hence the need to engage youths in the sector.

The senator said the agricultural initiative would create jobs, enhance food security, and contribute to the region’s economic development.

The senator, who also reaffirmed his commitment to completing his one-per-ward borehole initiative, promised to deliver more projects, saying that the people supported him and deserved quality representation.

‘By God’s grace, we will do more. The 2024 budget is ongoing, and the 2025 budget will bring greater interventions,’ he assured.

In his address, Oba Rafiu Ariwoola hailed Senator Alli for transforming the community through impactful projects, declaring that ‘Igangan has never had it so good.’

The monarch, who led community leaders and parents to express their collective gratitude, stated: ‘I came to appreciate Senator Alli for all he has done for our people.

Since I became king, no leader has matched his efforts.’ He announced the senator’s facilitation of a high-capacity solar power project at the Federal Science and Technical College, Igangan, executed by Casbern Global Services Limited to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

‘The 64 solar panels, 32 batteries and inverters are a game-changer. Classrooms, laboratories and workshops now enjoy constant power for teaching, learning and innovation.’

Oba Ariwoola revealed that plans for a community health centre were also on course saying that land has already been earmarked for the critical project.

‘The senator has surpassed the community’s expectations; he has given us more than we demanded. If we had such representation earlier, things would have been much better.

‘We trusted many people who did nothing, before, parents withdrew their children from school. This project has changed everything for our students,’ he said. Isau Ayandele, Igangan Community Secretary described the project as historic, explaining that the community unanimously endorsed the visit.

‘The last time we witnessed such a development was during Senator Peter Adeyemo’s era. This is a joint appreciation for a senator who matches words with action,’ he stressed.

Meanwhile, Senator Alli has eulogised Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the occasion of her 65th birthday, acknowledging her remarkable contributions to youth development, education and humanitarian causes.

Alli, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan, described her as a woman of grace vision and uncommon patriotism.

The lawmaker lauded the first lady for her commitment to nation-building and well-being of Nigerian families.

He commended Senator Tinubu for her exemplary virtues as a distinguished legislator, devoted mother and pillar of support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senator Alli said that the first lady’s selfless service has continue to inspire women across the country.

He added that her Renewed Hope Initiative was touching lives and giving hope to vulnerable Nigerians in remarkable ways.

‘As you celebrate this milestone, I join millions of Nigerians in praying for your continued good health, strength and divine wisdom to sustain your impactful service to humanity,’ Alli said.

Senator Alli prayed that God grant her long, prosperous life filled with peace, happiness, and greater accomplishments.

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to emulate her virtues of humility, compassion and dedication to the service of the nation.

Moreso, Alli has warned Nigerians to be wary of an unknown person who has fraudulently opened a Facebook account in his name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

‘My attention has been drawn to the activities of an unknown person who is duping people through Facebook in my name.

‘We strongly advise the public not to engage in any transaction or communication with anyone on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, Messenger, or any other similar channels, claiming to represent Senator Alli.

In a statement released by his media team, he said: ‘The Senator does not solicit funds, personal details, or business dealings through social media. Anyone who has information about the impostor is kindly urged to report to the nearest police station for necessary action.’

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers, after a series of intelligence led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos.

Femi Babafemi, the director, media and advocacy, NDLEA, said in a statement, on Sunday, that the action led to the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Hammed Ode, who parades as a businessman and real estate developer.

According to the NDLEA, ‘The beginning of the end of the criminal syndicate’s operations began on 16th September 2025 when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms concealed in walls of cocoa butter body cream containers. ‘A cargo agent was promptly arrested and further investigations revealed Hammed Ode as the mastermind of the shipment and after weeks of intelligence.

‘It was later established that the drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, after which the Agency sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.

‘During his preliminary interview, Ode admitted to the ownership of the consignment which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. ‘He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer following his return from the United Kingdom in 2024. He had lived for over 27 years in many European countries including Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia before settling in the UK.’, the NDLEA said.

In a related development, five other desperate attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also thwarted by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA.

The unravelling of the gang started on 26th September following the seizure of 2.10kg cocaine concealed in walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

The apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday 30th September at his 3 Arowojobe street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base where another consignment of 1.40kg cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him.

Babafemi said another consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with similar mode of concealment also going to the UK was also intercepted by operatives of the NDLEA which successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers.

‘ Two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday 2nd October. Two suspects: Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa linked to the seizures were promptly arrested. One of the consignments contains crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg cocaine while the second consignment also contains crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine. ‘ The bid by another criminal gang to smuggle into Lagos 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in bedsheet and hibiscus flower from Thailand was equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies.

‘Similarly, a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a check point along Danbatta-Daura road, Kano, on Thursday 2nd October led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and seizure of 290,450 pills of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.

‘In Lagos, a notorious drug dealer John Igbe, operating under the nickname: SammyBless to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki and Ajah axis, was on Tuesday 30th September arrested at Admiralty road, Lekki. At the time of his arrest, 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in retail plastic cups, were recovered from him.

‘ Three other suspects: Idris Lukman; Fuad Abdulsalam and Mobolaji James were nabbed same day in Mushin area of the state, with 109kg skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup and 2kg of nitrous oxide seized from them. At the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba area of the state, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac were recovered.

‘ A total of 27,700 pills of tramadol 100mg/225mg were seized from a suspect Salisu Abubakar, 25, at Bode Saadu, Morro LGA, Kwara state on Monday 29th September, Blessing Ovaka, 50, was caught with 498.5kg skunk at Kudandan, Chukun LGA, Kaduna, same day, just as Dahiru Salisu, 27, was arrested in possession of 34,180 capsules of tramadol at Gwargwaje along Kaduna – Zaria road on Thursday 2nd October.

‘In Ogun state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 29th September raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, where a suspect, Abubakar Audu, was arrested with 112kg skunk and 16grams of tramadol.

‘Three suspects: Chuimieze Shedrack, 28; Sunday John, 25, and Solomon Okopko, 27, were nabbed by NDLEA officers on Thursday 2nd October at Owena/Ijesha forest reserve, Osun state where they destroyed 14,000kg skunk on 5.6 hectares of cannabis plantation and recovered 142kg of same psychoactive substance. ‘In Edo, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 1st October intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KUJ 47 NW loaded with 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5kg at Igbanke, Orhionwon LGA and a suspect Ineh Obindi, 28, arrested. A total of 10,897.35kg skunk was destroyed on four farms measuring 4.358938 hectares at Ugbodo forest, Ovia North East LGA, on Friday 3rd October, with two suspects: Michael Ayang, 40, and Bernard New Year, (a.ka Don), 47, arrested. Not less than 223.5kg processed cannabis and seeds were recovered from the farms.’

The NDLEA said operatives on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway intercepted a waybill parcel coming from Lagos to Abuja containing 3.272kg Loud and a sachet of Colorado. A follow up operation at Gwagwalada park in Abuja led to the arrest of the owner, Tobi Odubote, 34, while another suspect Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was arrested in possession of 25.5kg skunk along Abaji- Abuja expressway on Thursday 2nd October.

The anti-narcotic agency, said its Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lectures.

The sensitisation was taken to the students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Hammawa Toungo, Adamawa; Government Day Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina; Day Secondary School, Unguwan Nasarawa, Kontogora, Niger; and traders at Ladega market Ikorodu, Lagos, while the Imo state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the State First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma at Government House, Owerri, among others.

‘We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations; from the mules to the dealers in between and up to their leadership’ the agency said.