Category: Daily Trust

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to strengthen workplace safety practices among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu also inaugurated the Safety First Campaign and unveiled the first-ever Occupational Safety Cadre in the Lagos State public service.

Speaking at the third Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference held in the state, with the theme, ‘Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a catalyst for nation Building,’ Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting workplace safety, public health and environmental protection.

He described the new occupational safety cadre as a groundbreaking initiative and the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the role of technology in driving modern safety standards, just as he announced the deployment of drones for surveillance, body cameras and thermal detection tools to enhance monitoring, enforcement, and emergency response.

In his keynote address titled, ‘Occupational Safety and Health as the Catalyst of Sustainable Nation Building,’ the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said there is overwhelming evidence that inadequate workplace safety continues to pose significant risks to workers globally

He cited studies that showed between 10 to 30 percent of industry workers suffer injuries, occupational diseases and health hazards on a yearly basis, which include physical accidents, exposure to harmful chemicals, long term respiratory complications amongst other issues.

According to him, the consequences of work-related accidents and illnesses are profound and result in lost workdays, reduced productivity, and rising healthcare costs.

He said while various African countries are ensuring a safer work environment, Nigeria must position itself as a regional leader in embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) -driven safety practices across all sectors, from high-risk industries to MSMEs.

‘By integrating global standards, technology, and accountability, we can build workplaces that are safe, competitive, and resilient,’ he said.

The senator representing Enugu East, Kelvin Chukwu, has officially dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His letter of defection was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at plenary on Wednesday.

The senator, in the letter, said his defection followed a wide consultation with his constituents and other stakeholders.

Chukwu is one of the 43 federal lawmakers – eight Senators and 35 House of Representatives members – that the LP produced in the 2023 elections.

However, some of the lawmakers have since dumped the party which gave them the platform through which they were elected.

Commenting on the development after 8 reps dumped LP in December, Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, described their action as ‘irrational, untenable, inconsistent and alien to all known norms for which democracy stands for’.

‘Section 68(g) of the 1999 constitution is emphatic on when to defect and what happens when a lawmaker sponsored by a political party decides to jump ship. The Constitution states (g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected;

Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.’

‘Since the formation of Labour Party in 2002, the party has been very active in the political scene having in the past produced a governor and several other elected officers across board. But it was in the 2023 general election that it achieved its highest feat under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure having won a governorship seat, 8 Senate and 35 House of Representative seats as well as numerous state House of Assembly seats. The party also caused a major upset at the presidential election, one that many Nigerians still believed that Labour Party won.’

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced new measures aimed at strengthening corporate governance, ethics, and compliance in its operations as part of efforts to improve service delivery in the region.

At its 2025 Corporate Services Retreat and Masterclass Sessions in Lagos, the Commission’s Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, said the initiative was designed to move NDDC beyond routine compliance into an era of innovation and accountability.

Abegunde noted that the retreat, themed ‘Innovating Corporate Services for Impact’, would enable the Commission to embed a performance-driven culture, streamline internal processes for transparency, and adopt smarter innovations to meet the rising expectations of the public.

‘This is not just about responding to change but about leading it. We must commit to translating insights from this retreat into tangible results for the Niger Delta,’ he said.

The Masterclass Sessions, held under the theme ‘Regulatory and Compliance Trends, Ethics and Risk in Public Service’, focused on tackling governance gaps that have long undermined development institutions in Nigeria.

One of the resource persons, Seyi Olulade, Managing Partner of The Impeccable Skills Company, urged the Commission to adopt a forward-looking strategy for the next 25 years, warning against ‘box-ticking’ approaches to compliance.

‘We must simplify processes, introduce technology, and focus on people at the centre of operations. The key is to lead different, work different, and care different,’ Olulade said.

In his presentation, Dr. Ashade Oladimeji of the Department of Public Administration, Lagos State University, identified unethical practices and corruption as major obstacles to effective service delivery in public institutions.

‘The laws and regulations are there, but we often circumvent them due to selfish desires and the ‘get rich syndrome.’ If NDDC must deliver on its mandate, it must place ethics at the heart of its operations,’ Oladimeji said.

He recommended strengthening regulatory compliance, enforcing rules without compromise, and promoting a culture of integrity across the Commission.

A large stash of narcotics worth N40 million was abandoned in the Ijegun area of Lagos after suspects fled the scene to evade arrest.

The suspects were seen hastily jumping out of their operational vehicle when they sighted a Navy patrol team, leaving behind the large consignment of illicit drugs.

The incident has raised concerns about the prevalence of illicit drugs in the community and the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies.

The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Navy Commodore Paul Pnfa Nimmyel, confirmed the recovery, saying that it is part of the Navy’s efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and enhance maritime security within the state and its coastal communities.

Commodore Nimmyel, who spoke through Captain Idongesit Udoesien, the Executive Officer (XO) NNS BEECROFT, disclosed that the recovery was made in the early hours of Thursday, October 2, 2025, by officers from the Base Quick Response Team (QRT), supported by internal security personnel of Operation MESA.

He stated that the officers, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a van with a foreign registration number around Ijegun.

‘The vehicle was discovered to be laden with 20 bags of suspected cannabis, weighing about 840kg.

‘Pertinently, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting our patrol team. Accordingly, the vehicle and the cannabis sativa have been handed over to the Marine Commander, Morrison Emmanuel Udo, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos, for further necessary action.

‘This successful interception is part of the broader series of sustained efforts by the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to clamp down on illegal maritime activities, particularly the trafficking of narcotics and other contrabands through Nigeria’s coastal waters.

A new wave of smart technologies like Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive analytics will reshape the facilities management sector, some industry experts have submitted.

They spoke at the just concluded Association of Facilities Management Practitioners Nigeria (AFMPN) 2025 National Conference held at University of Lagos.

The conference with the theme ‘Future Proofing Facilities: Harnessing Technology for Smart Cities and Workspaces,’ attracted about 500 participants including industry experts and leaders who attended both physically and virtually.

In his address, National President of AFMPN, Dr. Olumide Aina, said the conference offered professionals opportunities to engage with fellow professionals on the shared commitment to shaping the future of facilities management.

Aina emphasized the need to embrace cutting-edge solutions for facility management and smart city development.

The President noted that innovative technologies and products are shaping the future of the industry and told professionals that they must not be left behind.

In his paper titled ‘From Data to Decisions: Leveraging Analytics To Transform Facilities Management,’ Osemudiamen Owobu emphasized that data is the new backbone of facilities management.

According to him, by Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) professionals can cut costs, boost efficiency, and keep clients satisfied.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all the members of the current administration.

Atiku in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday morning warned that the investigation was the only way to purge the present administration and Nigeria of the ‘global embarrassment’ the Uche gate saga has caused.

Atiku who said the whole saga has once again brought to light ‘the deep moral crisis at the heart of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’, noted that ‘What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation’ – an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this government.’

The opposition leader said, ‘Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation. He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification. By permitting him to quietly exit through the backdoor, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.

‘What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same Department of State Services (DSS) which screened out Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for alleged ‘security concerns’ is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji.

‘The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more of such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?’

According to Atiku this episode is not isolated, ‘It is a reflection of a pattern a rot that begins from the very top. The man who occupies the office of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records. From the Chicago State University saga to multiple contradictory claims under oath, the world has seen ample evidence that Nigeria today is led by a man who himself has been unable to credibly defend the authenticity of his own certificates.

‘When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance. Tinubu’s personal history of alleged forgery and perjury has effectively institutionalized falsehood in public service. It is, therefore, unsurprising that his ministers and aides have taken after his example – falsifying documents, inflating records, and desecrating the moral foundation of our nation.’

Atiku therefore called for an ‘independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources.’

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last election said, ‘Until this cleansing is done, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment. The time has come to rescue our country from the grip of deceit and restore integrity to public life.’ He said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled the key qualities it will demand from aspirants seeking to contest under its platform in 2027.

Speaking at the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark said the party would field only candidates who meet its ‘four-pillar standard’ of character, competence, courage, and discipline.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been championing the coalition idea since his defeat as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 and has emerged as one of the ADC’s leaders, is widely believed to be positioning himself for another presidential bid after six previous attempts. His decision to champion the emergence of the coalition is seen as a strategic move to lead a united opposition front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

However, there have been persistent speculations that former President Goodluck Jonathan may also emerge as a consensus candidate within the coalition, given his close ties to some influential southern and northern blocs within the ADC. Party insiders say Jonathan’s name continues to feature prominently in informal consultations, although he has yet to make any public statement on the matter.

Penultimate week, Jonathan visited Mark at his Abuja residence. Mark was Senate President during the administration of Jonathan between 2010-2015. While the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, told Daily Trust the visit was private, observers believe it could be linked to 2027 permutations, with the ADC said to be considering the acceptability of a Jonathan candidacy.

Meanwhile, both 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi have openly indicated interest in contesting, even pledging to serve only a single term under a North-South zoning arrangement. The declaration, analysts say, could shape negotiations within the ADC coalition as it works to finalise its power-sharing and zoning arrangements ahead of 2027.

But speaking on Tuesday, Mark said, ‘We will field only credible and viable candidates who meet our four-pillar standard. Nigerians will accept nothing less.’

‘Our mission goes beyond winning elections; it is to build a leadership model that restores trust, reforms governance, and leaves a legacy that future generations will be proud of.’

‘To do this, we will build a party that outlives us all. Other parties revolve around individuals; the ADC will revolve around rules, policies, programmes, people, and results. We will insist on team spirit, collaboration, and internal democracy. The supremacy we seek is the supremacy of our constitution and institutions-over everything: personality, improvisation, and idiosyncrasy.

‘Our mission is not only to attain power in 2027; it is to leave a legacy which the future generations will be proud to inherit. We are in a marathon we must complete-and win. Failure is not an option,’ he said.

Mark stressed that the ADC must depart from the culture of self-serving politics that has long defined Nigeria’s leadership.

‘We begin with a conviction that Nigeria can, and will, work for everyone-and with a commitment to build a party bigger than any personality, stronger than any moment and positively different from any party in the annals of our country,’ he said.

He said the party’s broader objectives include strengthening institutional independence, promoting transparency, and implementing economic reforms that translate into real improvements in citizens’ lives. ‘Nigerians are tired of slogans and statistics that do not improve their lives. Judge us by what Nigerians feel in their daily lives-more reliable power, visible projects, and decent work,’ he said.

He added that the NWC ‘has urgent tasks. We must review our constitution to reflect the new order, develop a code of ethics, financing rules, and compliance systems. We must establish functional ward, local government, and state structures with trained organizers, digital registers, and service desks. And we will field only credible and viable candidates who meet the 4-pillar standard-Character, Competence, Courage, and Discipline.

‘Nigeria and Nigerians-will accept nothing less. The political class has too often served itself. We must change this outdated pattern. We must model a new attitude to leadership across every sphere-public, private, and civic. Let it be said of the ADC that we kept faith with the people, that we were steady under pressure, honest in our dealings, and relentless in delivery. We do not seek power for its own sake; we seek it to build a legacy worthy of our children.’

Mark also pledged that an ADC-led government would restore the separation of powers and ensure judicial and legislative independence. ‘The judiciary must again be a refuge for every citizen. We will support a merit-based, efficient, and trusted bench-one that prioritises justice over technicalities,’ he stated.

On foreign policy, Mark said the ADC would pursue a ‘Pan-African and pragmatic’ approach focused on regional integration, diaspora investment, and trade expansion within Africa to promote stability and shared prosperity.

Party sets up registration committee

Meanwhile, the NWC resolved to consolidate the coalition’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections by setting up several committees, including the Membership Registration Committee, Constitution Review Committee, Policy Advocacy Committee, and Party Rebranding Committee.

A senior source at the meeting told Daily Trust that the registration committee was mandated to oversee a nationwide membership drive aimed at integrating new members and formalising the status of opposition leaders who have been working with the ADC coalition.

Although former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and Senator Aminu Tambuwal have all aligned with the ADC-led coalition, they are yet to formally register as members.

The party had previously granted them a waiver to remain in their legacy parties during the August by-elections, as many of their supporters had already obtained nomination forms under those platforms. But weeks after the polls, they have yet to make their defection official, fuelling speculation about the coalition’s direction.

In a recent Trust TV interview, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, maintained that the former vice president’s alignment with the ADC was ‘irreversible’ despite not having collected his membership card. ‘Atiku has attended all ADC stakeholders’ meetings, as have Peter Obi and El-Rufai,’ he said.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said after the meeting that the registration exercise was designed to ‘translate the coalition into a functional political movement’ and prepare the party for its forthcoming congresses and primaries.

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, operator of Nigeria’s largest upstream oil and gas joint venture, formally introduced its pan-African operational strategy at the just concluded Africa Energy Week (AEW), signalling a new phase of regional expansion and leadership in the energy sector.

Daily Trust reports that Renaissance had acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) onshore assets in Nigeria, in a significant boost for Nigeria’s energy sector and local content drive.

The acquisition of Shell’s onshore assets by RAEC marks a significant transition in Nigeria’s upstream sector, signalling a shift toward increased local ownership and control of critical energy infrastructure.

Speaking during a dedicated session at the conference, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Attah, described Renaissance as a transformational force in Africa’s energy landscape.

‘We are Renaissance, not just in name, but in purpose,’ Attah said. ‘Our ambition is to catalyse a new beginning for Africa, one that delivers energy security and industrialisation through sustainable practices.’

Renaissance, formerly The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renaissance Africa Energy Holding Company, and operator of the NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies/AENR Joint Venture with assets spread across 18 oil mining leases in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.

Attah described the acquisition of the shares of Shell in the former SPDC by Renaissance’s parent company, as a bold move.

‘Acquiring SPDC was seen as ambitious, but we executed it with clarity and conviction. Today, Renaissance stands as the new face of Africa’s energy.’

Speaking earlier on the sidelines of the AEW conference, Chairman of Renaissance, Dr. Layi Fatona, described the vision of the company as Afrocentric with a commitment to continental leadership.

‘Our vision is clear on becoming Africa’s leading energy company enabling energy security and industrialisation in a sustainable manner,’ Fatona said, adding: ‘We are not just out to participate in Africa’s energy future, we are out to shape it. Our strategy begins in Nigeria but is designed for scale across the continent.’

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed that Nigeria’s non-interest capital market has grown significantly, reaching a valuation of over N1.6tn, noting that the figure signals growing investor confidence and deepening participation in ethical finance.

The Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, announced this on Monday during a joint press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), scheduled to hold in Lagos on November 4 and 5, 2025.

The conference, jointly organized by the SEC, the Metropolitan Law Firm, and Metropolitan Skills Ltd., is themed ‘Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook.’

Agama described the upcoming conference as ‘strategically positioned’ to coincide with the conclusion of the Revised Nigerian Capital Market Masterplan (2021-2025), adding that it would serve as a platform for charting the next phase of sustainable financial development across the continent.

‘This year’s theme is a call to action, it’s about harnessing ethical finance as a tool to build a more prosperous and equitable Africa,’ he said.

According to him, the Nigerian non-interest market has shown remarkable momentum, with Sukuk dominating the sector.

He revealed that the last Sukuk issuance was oversubscribed by 700 per cent, underscoring the growing investor appetite for non-interest products and confidence in the regulatory framework.

‘The non-interest capital market has attained a valuation of N1.6tn. The overwhelming subscription to our Sukuk issuances demonstrates strong investor confidence and an expanding demand for ethical financial instruments,’ Agama said.

He explained that the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 provides a strengthened legal foundation for non-interest financial products, empowering the SEC to register non-interest collective investment schemes and broaden the range of instruments available to investors.

Also speaking, Ummahani Amin, Managing Partner, Metropolitan Law Firm and Chairman, AICIF 2025 Planning Committee said that AICIF has grown into one of the most important gatherings for policymakers, regulators, investors, scholars, and innovators who share a common goal to advance ethical, inclusive, and sustainable finance in Africa.

She said, ‘This year, we are especially proud of our strategic partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria’s highest regulator in the capital market. This collaboration underscores our shared vision to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem, deepen investor confidence, and support innovation that aligns with integrity and shared prosperity.

‘This year’s conference comes at a critical time – as Africa continues to explore innovative, ethical, and sustainable pathways to finance development.’

She said Islamic finance has proven to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the global financial system, and AICIF provides a unique platform to bring together policymakers, regulators, scholars, investors, and practitioners to shape that future here on the continent.

Dr Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, says the company now ranks among the top 20 mobile operators globally.

He disclosed this while speaking in a panel discussion at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking on the topic ‘Titans on the move: Africa Multinationals’, Dr Ndukwe said, ‘just to put it in perspective, if MTN group is rated in terms of mobile operators in the world, it comes within the first six in the whole world and when you look at MTN Nigeria, it also features among the top 20 mobile operators.

‘And the secret must be said that MTN today is the largest telecom operator in Africa, just because it dared to venture outside South Africa when it all started.’

Dr Ndukwe said the company is not afraid of going to new places once there is business to do, adding that ‘when you ask what motivates the expansion, it’s actually that, if I may call it the appetite, the managers of the company, the owners of the company have for moving their businesses and seeking new opportunities in various African countries and beyond Africa.’

He said the company is thriving despite the ‘hostile’ business environment in Nigeria because of its solid structure.

‘One thing that makes a business succeed is the way the business is structured, the kind of board members you have, the kind of visionaries you have in the business, your recruitment processes, and things like that.

‘You can’t get something out of nothing. If you look at the MTN story in Nigeria, one of its strongest success stories is the fact that it’s the most stable mobile operating company in Nigeria. It did not have board squabbles.

‘It did not have a company changing name ever so often. It has very strong boards. And recruitment of staff is done based purely on merit.

‘When it was time to recruit people at the initial stages, they went international looking for Nigerians in the diaspora who were ready to come back and chose people based on their capacity to deliver.

‘Secondly, it has structures in place where people have powers to do certain things themselves and take responsibility for their actions. Once you have a well-managed company, the company tends to survive very well in any environment, not just in Africa,’ he said.

The panel discussion spotlighted the private sector’s catalytic role in unlocking cross-border growth by deepening trade, trust and collaboration across sectors and language divides.