Category: Daily Trust

About 139 million Nigerians are currently living in poverty, according to The World Bank.

This is just as the bank said the country’s economy has started to show signs of stability from ongoing reforms.

Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report in Abuja on Wednesday, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, commended the government for implementing bold economic reforms but warned that the benefits have yet to reach most citizens.

‘Over the last two years, Nigeria has tremendously implemented bold reforms – notably around the exchange rate and petrol subsidy,’ Verghis said.

‘These policies have laid the foundation for transforming Nigeria’s economic trajectory for decades to come.’

Verghis acknowledged that the reforms are beginning to yield macroeconomic results, including rising revenues, improving debt indicators, stabilising the foreign exchange market, growing reserves, and a gradual decline in inflation.

‘Growth has picked up, revenues have risen, debt indicators are improving, the FX market is stabilising, reserves are rising, and inflation is finally beginning to come down. These are big achievements, and many countries would envy them,’ he said.

Despite these gains, the World Bank warned that millions of Nigerians are yet to feel any real improvement in their daily lives.

‘In 2025, we estimate that 139 million Nigerians live in poverty,’ Verghis disclosed. ‘The challenge is clear: how to translate the gains from the reforms into better living standards for all.’

The new NDU report, titled ‘From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,’ outlines a three-point strategy to help Nigeria bridge the gap between economic stability and social welfare – taming inflation, improving public spending efficiency, and expanding social safety nets.

Verghis emphasised that food inflation remains one of the biggest threats to reform success and public confidence.

‘Food inflation affects everybody, but particularly the poor, and it has the potential to undermine political support for reforms,’ he cautioned.

‘Tight monetary policy is important, but it must be complemented by structural reforms to address deep-seated supply and market constraints.’

He further stressed the importance of efficient resource use and inclusive programs that cushion the impact of economic adjustment.

‘These are not abstract ideas – they are practical steps that can turn macro-stability into better livelihoods,’ Verghis said.

The World Bank, he added, remains committed to supporting Nigeria through policy advice, technical assistance, and financing aimed at ensuring that the gains of reform ‘reach every household, not just the headlines.’

The Nigeria Police Force says enforcement of the vehicle tinted glass permit has been ‘put on hold’ following a court order halting the exercise.

Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this during an interview on AIT, on Wednesday.

She confirmed that the decision came after the police officially received the court order.

‘Information reaching me from the office of the PRO is that the order has been received and the enforcement of the tinted permit is now on hold pending the court’s verdict,’ Adeh said.

She explained that the directive to suspend enforcement would remain in place pending the outcome of the ongoing legal process.

‘We are waiting for the verdict. We are not against the courts, and we will continue to wait until we get a verdict,’ she added.

Addressing public concerns about the purpose of the tinted glass regulation, Adeh clarified that it was introduced for security reasons, noting that some criminal activities had been carried out using vehicles with darkened windows.

‘The law was not made by us. We are enforcers. The policy was purely security-driven. Some criminals were using tinted vehicles to commit offences, making it difficult for law enforcement to identify suspects,’ she said.

Adeh also dismissed claims that the policy was designed for financial gain, explaining that all payments related to tinted permits are made directly into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), not to the police.

The founder of the first female-owned tech and innovation hub in Northern Nigeria, Blue Sapphire Hub, Maryam Gwadabe has lamented that the region is still lagging behind in adopting digital technologies.

She said many people have smartphones but are not maximizing the potentials of the devices in their daily lives.

This has been the focus of the hub since its establishment over a decade ago to expand the digital footprint in Northern Nigeria especially among women believed to be disadvantaged.

The CEO stated this during the Digital Community Fair organised by the hub as part of its Accelerating Digital Adoption in Northern Nigeria (ADAN) project in Kano.

She said, ‘We all have smartphones, but many of us only use them for TikTok or Instagram. Digital adoption means using these tools to transform our lives, businesses, and communities.

‘This fair is about showing you what’s possible. It is a call to action for Northern Nigeria to become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs,’ she added.

The tech CEO also urged communities to shift from passive digital consumption to active participation in the digital economy, adding that Northern Nigeria must learn to leverage digital tools for innovation and economic growth.

Daily Trust reports that Blue Sapphire Hub is the first-female owned innovation center in Northern Nigeria which began operations in 2014.

The hub is focused ‘on developing sustainable solutions and building entrepreneurial communities for scalable impact.’ Its community is made up of innovators, entrepreneurs, freelancers and dare dreamers who leverage the power of tech and innovation to identify and solve the most pressing societal challenges.

The hub stated that innovation and Technology are at the heart of the work it does, adding, ‘We believe in breaking barriers, disrupting and challenging stereotypes in order to create positive change. We provide a launchpad for Innovators and support young entrepreneurs to thrive.

‘We provide Incubation programs, Capacity building services, Consultancy and Product Development for startups, government organizations, NGOs and companies respectively.’

So far, over 10,000 have benefited from its tech programme while over 12 tech-driven start-ups have been supported, in addition to creating 3000 jobs through the ecosystem.

Similarly, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the state has reopened 26 entrepreneurship institutes that were previously closed to help cater for the demands of the state’s population.

The Governor who was represented by the Director-general of the newly established Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA), Bashir Abdu Muzakkar, said the state is committed to ensuring that the youths, whom he said are 65 percent of its population, are prepared for the 21st century opportunities.

Organized by Blue Sapphire Hub and funded by UK International Development, the two-day fair drew hundreds of participants and showcased startups potentials particularly in the ICT and digital economy.

Meanwhile the hub has hosted a job fair aimed at connecting over 200 young talents with prospective employers and key stakeholders.

The event, also held in Kano, brought together job seekers, recruiters, government officials, and development partners in a bid to foster meaningful engagement and promote enterprise development.

Speaking at the event, a representative of Blue Sapphire Hub, Sani Sulaiman Sidi, said the fair was designed to bridge the gap between opportunities and talent, especially among northern youths, whom he said often lack access to basic job-seeking skills.

‘This job fair is a platform of hope and possibility. We want young people to see what skills are in demand, learn them, and connect with employers. It is not just about degrees anymore, it is about equipping yourself with relevant tools like IT, AI, digital marketing, and project management,’ he said.

Sidi emphasised that hubs like Blue Sapphire are creating safe spaces for learning and innovation, urging youths to take advantage of such platforms to upskill and stand out in a competitive job market.

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has unveiled a N25 million Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The RHI Coordinator in FCT, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said at the event in Abuja on Monday that 500 women would benefit from the RHI Recapitalization grant in the FCT.

Benjamins-Laniyi, who is also the pioneer Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for generously donating N1 billion to the initiative. (NAN)

According to her, this significant contribution will benefit 18,500 women across the country: 500 women each from the 36 states and the FCT.

She said that each of the 18,500 women would receive N50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalize their businesses. (NAN)

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC), also known as the Nigerian Ombudsman, has disclosed that it received a total of 2,567 complaints from members of the public in Kwara State in 2024, with over 1,500 additional cases recorded so far in 2025.

Speaking in Ilorin during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the commission, the Kwara State Commissioner of the PCC, Barrister Olanrewaju Falola, said the figures reflected the growing confidence of citizens in the institution’s role as a voice for the voiceless and a symbol of justice for the common man.

Falola said the commission remains committed to offering free legal representation in disputes, particularly for the poor and socially vulnerable.

He noted that the Ombudsman has become a global beacon of justice that ensures fairness and accountability in governance.

‘The commission reminds us that justice must never be a privilege for the few but a right for all,’ he said.

The commissioner said the PCC has been instrumental in securing redress for citizens who have no easy or affordable access to the courts.

According to him, the commission continues to bridge the gap between the government and the governed, ensuring that the marginalized and disadvantaged are not left behind.

He, however, identified inadequate funding and lack of a befitting office space as major constraints affecting the commission’s efficiency in the state.

Falola added that the National Assembly is currently amending the Act establishing the PCC to strengthen its powers and ensure better enforcement of resolutions.

Highlighting the commission’s impact across communities, Falola said several life-changing interventions have been recorded in Kwara.

He cited the case of a widow and her children who were unjustly evicted but reinstated through the commission’s effort, as well as the recovery of certificates for indigent students who had been denied access to them for years by the National Teachers Institute.

The PCC, he said, also intervened in the rehabilitation of a secondary school, averted a potential religious crisis, and facilitated the payment of gratuities and pensions to retired workers.

Other notable interventions included the refund of N7 million in a breach of contract case, restoration of electricity to a community after years of blackout, and payment of death benefits to bereaved families.

The commission also resolved several labour-related cases, securing entitlements for unfairly dismissed employees and converting dismissal letters to voluntary resignations after thorough investigation.

It further addressed environmental hazards involving a company whose operations had affected residents, compelling the removal of a power station supplying it.

Falola added that the PCC restored peace in an Islamic community where a non-indigene’s hotel had become a source of moral decay and social unrest.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring justice at all levels, saying the PCC’s work over the past two years in Kwara stands as a testament to its enduring relevance and human-centered mission.

The stage is now set for the president to announce a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday, ended his 10-year tenure as head of the electoral body.

Shortly before Yakubu bowed out, indications emerged that the presidency had zeroed in on three persons, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan; Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and Professor Lai Olorede, as possible replacement.

A presidential source told Daily Trust last night that conclusions had been made and that Amupitan is leading the list of the likely people to replace the former INEC chairman.

Professor Yakubu had after a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the commission’s head office in Abuja, stepped down and handed over to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a national commissioner at the commission who has taken over in acting capacity.

The immediate past INEC chairman explained that he was stepping down to enable his successor settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.

‘I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, ‘ he stated.

Another source told this newspaper that Professor Yakubu initially wanted to leave around June ahead of the expiration of his tenure but was advised to remain in office until now.

Daily Trust gathered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would table the name of his new nominee for the position before members of the National Council of State at a meeting slated for Thursday.

The name of the new INEC chairman is expected to be announced after the meeting.

Barring last minute alterations, Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is reportedly favoured for the position.

Amupitan

He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.

Born on April 25, 1967 in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan is a Professor of Law with specialisation and experience in Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law and Privatisation Law and has taught in the university for years.

When contacted, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kinsley Fanwo, declined to comment on the news making the rounds that a professor from the state is being considered to succeed the former INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

He said: ‘A government doesn’t comment on rumours’.

Former member of the House of Representatives, Timothy Golu, who said he has known Amupitan for over ten years, described him as a well-respected lecturer and astute administrator.

He said while he was a student at the University of Jos, Amupitan was one of the lecturers students could approach easily at any time.

‘So, I have no doubt that he would discharge the duties credibly if it is true that he is being considered,’ he said.

Professor Amupitan has held several academic and administrative positions including representative of the Faculty of Law in several boards in the University of Jos; Head of Department, Public Law; Dean, Faculty of Law; Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors, Member, Governing Council, University of Jos and Member, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies as well as Council of Legal Education among many others.

He is member of several professional bodies and associations including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and National Association of Law Teachers.

Professor Amupitan’s research interests are diverse and wide ranging from providing the Legal Framework for the Privatization of Public Enterprises in Nigeria, Reform of Electoral Laws in Nigeria to the Reform of Privatization Law in Nigeria and Petroleum Industries Law Reform in Nigeria among others.

He has over 50 journal, book chapter, conference, monograph, case review and research report publications and has contributed to the successful execution of a number of national and internationally funded projects.

Liman

Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman is a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal.

Liman, according to reports was born on in 1959 and became a lawyer in 1984. He hails from Nasarawa State. He has been a judge for over 25 years.

He has been associated with a number of high-profile cases including his ruling that temporarily restrained the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano, and his orders halting the suspension and arrest moves against former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Lai Olurode

Professor Lai Olurode is a sociologist, academic and first-class graduate of Sociology from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos State.

He also studied Law at the UNILAG where he obtained LL.B in 1990. He was called to the Bar in 1991.

He joined the UNILAG in 1980, and became a professor of Sociology in 2000. He served as Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

He taught for over 40 years of teaching, before retirement and was appointed as National Commissioner of the INEC on June 30, 2010, overseeing Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti States.

Daily Trust further learnt that Yakubu had long cleared his desk and had prepared his hand over note and was only waiting for the appropriate signal to leave.

A reliable source in the commission told our correspondent that Yakubu had concluded all arrangements for the Anambra elections and that his exit would not have any negative impact on the exercise.

He said: ‘There were 13 items in the process and Yakubu had done all except two which are; to end campaigns and the election itself.’

Former INEC director, Mr Nick Dazang, when contacted said with the convening of the Council of State by the President on Thursday, ‘it means we are likely to know his probable successor before next week. I don’t think his departure will affect the work of the commission.’

He added: ‘The commission is a continuum. It is also an Executive Body as established by Section 153 of the Constitution. There will be thus no challenge for the Commission to form a quorum and to carry out its mandate. Besides, the Commission is ably complemented by Resident he Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Secretary to the Commission and Directors/Administrative Secretaries who are the engine room and institutional memory. In time past, similar transitions have taken place seamlessly even when off-cycle governorship elections were afoot.’in

Longest serving chairman

Prof Yakubu is the only chairman of the electoral body to do a two-term tenure of ten years.

He is also the third chairman to complete his tenure in office as most of his predecessors were either swept away by controversies or made to go with the ouster of the administration’s that appointed them.

Nigeria has had six different electoral bodies and a total of 14 chairpersons and one in acting capacity.

Six of them, Michael Ani, Eme Awa; Humphrey Nwosu; Okon Edet Uya; Sumner Dagogo Jack and Ephraim Akpata served under military regimes.

Ani and Akpata had tenures that overlapped as among those that served under military governments, only the two of them were able to conclude elections and ensure transition to civil rule.

Eyo Ita Isua; Victor Ovie Whiskey; Abel Guobadia; Maurice Iwu; Attahiru Jega and Mahmood Yakubu all served under civilian administrations.

Guobadia is remembered as the first chairman to serve out his full tenure.

Professor Yakubu, who succeeded Attahiru Jega as INEC chairman in 2015, is the first to be reappointed for a second term, making his tenure the longest in the commission’s history.

The appointment of Mbu, makes it the second time a woman is acting chairman of the commission. When Jega retired in 2015, then President Muhammadu Buhari named Amina Bala Zakari as acting chairman, making her the first woman to lead INEC.

The acting chair

Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, is a National Commissioner at INEC. She’s a lawyer by training with over three decades of professional experience,

From Delta State, Agbamuche-Mbu’s attended St. Louis Secondary School, Kano, before proceeding to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where she earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1984. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 and later qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales after completing studies at the College of Law, London.

Agbamuche-Mbu also holds a Master’s degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, as well as postgraduate qualifications in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law

Agbamuche-Mbu was confirmed as a National Commissioner of INEC in 2016.

She is a certified arbitrator and former Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria). As editor of THISDAY LAWYER, she wrote over 120 editions of her widely read ‘Legal Eagle’ column from 2014 to 2016, influencing public discourse on law, governance, and policy.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit from INEC.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Prof Yakubu had in a letter dated October 3, 2025, thanked the president for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.

‘President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.

‘In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation, President Tinubu has bestowed on him the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger(CON)’, the statement added.

President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor.

The presidency recalled that the tenure of Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years and was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.

Process of appointing INEC chairman

Under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the appointment of an INEC chairman is the exclusive responsibility of the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Section 154(1) provides that ‘the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be made by the President and shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.’

Paragraph 14 of Part I of the Third Schedule further stipulates that the appointee must be a person ‘of unquestionable integrity’ and not less than 50 years of age.

And after the selection by the president, the Senate must screen and confirm the nominee before appointment, and in doing this, the Senate conducts a confirmation hearing to assess the nominee’s qualifications, integrity, and suitability.

If the Senate approves by a simple majority, the nominee is confirmed. After confirmation, the President formally appoints and swears in the new INEC Chairman.

The INEC Chairman serves a five-year term, renewable once (maximum of 10 years). This is provided under Section 3(1) of the INEC (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2010.

Also, the President cannot remove the INEC Chairman unilaterally. Removal can only occur based on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate, and only for reasons such as misconduct, inability to perform functions, or conviction for an offence (see Section 157 of the Constitution).

Speaker calls for speedy conclusion of electoral reforms

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has charged lawmakers to prioritise the conclusion of ongoing electoral reforms well before the 2027 general elections to ensure a credible, transparent, and less contentious process.

Speaking on Tuesday as the House resumed plenary after its 2025 annual recess, Abbas emphasised that finalising the amendments to the Electoral Act early would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and guarantee smoother electoral administration.

He said the Electoral Act Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly seeks to address key flaws observed in previous elections, including violence, litigation, and ambiguities in timelines.

‘We must finalise electoral reforms well ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill seeks not only to strengthen measures against violence, improve access for persons with disabilities, and establish clearer timelines for resolving disputes, but also to reduce the ambiguities that trailed the last elections,’ he said.

According to Abbas, the proposed reforms will make elections ‘less contentious and litigious,’ while lowering costs through the introduction of single-day voting and more transparent party primaries.

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to summon the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to brief the lawmakers on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara South.

The Senate also urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area as a rapid response hub to tackle insecurity in the zone.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance

sponsored during plenary by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South).

The red chamber also called for immediate deployment of additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities in the senatorial district.

In his lead debate, Senator Yisa lamented the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun LGA where he said bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming levels in recent weeks.

He disclosed that the development has forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.

‘Further notes that within the last month, no fewer than twelve forest guards and local vigilante members were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, including Baale of Ogba-Ayo community.

‘Several other traditional and community leaders were among those slain in separate incidents in Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, etc in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero LGAs.

‘Concerned that at least 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the last twelve months across Kwara South, with no fewer than 25 communities deserted due to recurring attacks-leading to severe humanitarian displacement and disruption of social and economic life,’ he said.

After a debate on the motion, the Senate mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs.

The red chamber equally urged the federal government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities. The senators also observed a minute silence in honour of the departed.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have raided Zhibi, a community neighbouring Dei-Dei town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but located in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.

Abuja Metro learnt that the attackers abducted a businessman, Muhammad Shuaibu, along with his two daughters – a 200-level university student and her younger sister.

A member of the family told Abuja Metro that the assailants broke into the victim’s home around 12am on Friday through the backyard door after destroying a burglar-proof padlock.

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‘They did the same thing in the room where the wife of the family head was sleeping. She woke up suddenly to see them inside her room, so she quickly ran toward her husband’s room,’ the source recounted.

The source added, ‘They summoned all the family members to the sitting room, threatening to take all of them. But the wife knelt down and kept pleading with them to spare her baby. That made them spare her and the baby.’

According to the source, the attackers seized the mobile phones of the man and his wife and also demanded foodstuffs, which were not available in the house.

He said the police outpost in the area has only a few personnel, and efforts to get a response from the Dei-Dei Division did not yield any result, as, according to him, they always insist that they are under the FCT command, while the area falls within Niger State.

It was further learnt that no communication had been established between the kidnappers and the victims’ relatives as of Monday afternoon when our reporter visited the residence.

The Police Area Commander in Suleja, Muhammad Sani Musa, did not respond to phone calls made by our reporter on Monday.

However, a police source in the area confirmed the attack, adding that efforts were ongoing to track the abductors.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has stated that it is targeting double revenue from its cashless operations which started on 29th September 2025.

Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday at the launch of the Operation-Go-Cashless at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

She said, ‘Following its successful launch in the dynamic city of Lagos, I am proud to officially announce the full deployment of ‘OPERATION GO CASHLESS here in Abuja, the Centre of Excellence. This is a comprehensive, cashless, and contactless payment solution for all our airports.

‘Effective September 29th, 2025, we have started phasing out physical cash at all FAAN revenue points, including access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges.

‘For you, our passengers, this means faster, more secure transactions and an end to the delays of cash handling. It is a direct response to your call for modern, efficient, and world-class service,’

Represented by Adebola Joy Agunbiade, Director Commercial and Business Development (FAAN), she said, ‘By the time we go cashless, we intend to grow our revenue between 75 to 100 per cent. Over 300,000 motorist come in and out of our gates every day in Lagos and Abuja Airport so we should double the revenue we are making in the next 6months.’

The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has banned any form of sign-out celebration on campus among graduating students upon writing their final second-semester examination.

The authority warned that violation of the ban will attract sanctions ranging from withdrawal of certificates to rustication and expulsion of violators.

The institution, in a circular signed by its Registrar, Ademola Bobola, said any form of celebration in the name of sign-out celebration on campus after the final second semester paper is prohibited.

The circular reads, ‘No sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts, and playing of music, will be tolerated.

‘Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted, unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses, all through the last week of the second semester examination.

‘Large gatherings of students around the faculty, school or Institute premises after examinations is equally prohibited, while photographers will not be permitted to put up a photo stand/gallery for the purpose of such celebration,’ he said.

He advised parents and guardians of final year students to stay away from the faculty, school or institute’s premises, especially on the last day of examination.