Category: Daily Trust

Northern leaders and governors from the region have called for a united front to address the region’s security and economic challenges.

They spoke in Abuja Monday during the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) 2025 themed ‘Unlocking Northern Nigeria’s Mining, Agricultural and Power Potentials (MAP2035)’. The event was called at the instance of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

MAP2035, according to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), is a 10-year blueprint for transformation, a framework designed to reposition Northern Nigeria as a hub of innovation, industrialisation and inclusive growth.

For over a decade, the region has been beset by banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes, and kidnappings. Speaking during the summit, the governors of Zamfara, Nasarawa and Gombe states said fragmented responses had weakened the region’s bargaining power and delayed progress.

They called for a unified front to tackle the insecurity and drive economic transformation across the region.

They underscored a shared commitment to collaborative action, infrastructure development and policy reform aimed at unlocking the North’s vast potentials in mining, agriculture and power.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State noted that security is the bedrock of development. He said: ‘Investors, both domestic and international, are not philanthropists; they are realists. They will not commit capital where it is not safe.’

He called for deeper collaboration among the 19 northern states, including integrated security architecture and real-time intelligence sharing, to create a predictable environment for investment.

Lawal also proposed a Northern Nigerian Economic Compact to unify efforts on security and economic matters, co-invest in infrastructure and present a single window for major investors.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State highlighted the unprecedented revenue available to subnational governments, urging leaders to channel these resources into transformative sectors.

‘Every state now has the resources to secure its people. We should stop blaming anybody for our security. If we are blaming anybody, blame ourselves,’ he said.

Sule also showcased Nasarawa’s strides in formalising the mining sector and expanding agricultural production, reinforcing the importance of leveraging local strengths for regional growth.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who chairs the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), stressed that poor infrastructure remains a major barrier to economic progress.

‘We are blessed with mineral wealth, fertile land, and vibrant human capital, but without railways, roads, power, and storage, the full value cannot be realised,’ he said.

Yahaya called for reforms in project financing to ensure Northern entrepreneurs can access credit using local assets, describing current collateral practices as ‘exclusionary.’

Meanwhile, today (Tuesday) marks the second and final day of the summit, during which the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is expected to consolidate inputs from various speakers and release a formal communiqué.

Map of Northern Nigeria

North catalyst for Nigeria’s progress – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the summit by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, noted that Nigeria’s prosperity is inseparable from the future of the North.

He said his administration was currently embarking on critical industrialisation projects for northern Nigeria.

He also commended the Northern Elders Forum for the determination to change the narrative and position the region in its rightful place as it used to be.

He said, ‘The future of Nigeria’s prosperity is inseparable from the future of northern Nigeria. If we unlock the North’s minerals, we secure a new era of industrial competitiveness. If we unlock the North’s agriculture, we guarantee food security and global export leadership. If we unlock the North’s power, we ignite a wave of industrialisation that will employ millions of Nigerians.’

The president said his economic vision was to build a strong, stable and inclusive economy where the government clears obstacles out of the way, where the private sector provides the engine of growth and where every Nigerian can rise.

He said: ‘The North is not just a part of the country; it is the engine of the country. So, together, let us seize this moment to transform northern Nigeria into the powerhouse of Nigeria’s prosperity.

‘I warmly commend the Northern Elders Forum, the 19 states of Northern Nigeria, for convening this historic summit. The theme, ‘Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture and Power’, MAP for short, could not be more fitting because these sectors do represent the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and indeed the foundation for industrialisation.

‘In the second quarter of 2025, that’s just this last quarter, April to June, the GDP of Nigeria grew by 4.23%, the strongest growth in a decade except for the COVID rebound era. The strongest growth in a decade, and since 2023, year-on-year growth has consistently been above three per cent, outpacing two per cent of the five to eight years previously.

‘More critically, industrial growth, where jobs are created, doubled year-on-year, while agriculture and services also expanded robustly. Inflation has begun to ease, 20.12 per cent in August, and it’s consistently, month after month, the last five months have been coming down.

‘Our trade surplus, $7.4 trillion, reserves risen to $42 billion, and as we know, the Naira has not only stabilized, it has even strengthened but this progress is not by chance it is a result of deliberate, intentional, and strategic policies anchored on the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Renewed Hope Agenda is anchored on economic transformation, inclusive growth, and national prosperity but it recognizes the interconnected roles of finance, public policy, technology, in unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.

‘The key focus areas have been stabilising the macroeconomic environment, creating jobs, reducing poverty, mobilising private sector investment, whether domestic, and focused on digital and financial innovation.

‘And that’s why the president’s administration’s strategic reforms place mining, agriculture, and power in the North at the heart of our growth agenda. What are those opportunities? As we have just heard, the North holds some of the most valuable mineral deposits in Africa. Gold, lithium, tin, zinc, limestone, coal are all available in the North, and new reforms are formalising artisanal mining, attracting credible investors, as we have heard earlier today in lithium, for example, and ensuring that host communities benefit directly.

‘And that is critical, ensuring that host communities benefit directly, thereby avoiding some of the problems that can come from when host communities feel left out.

‘So we are building value chains so Nigeria no longer just exports raw materials, but also processes those raw materials into batteries, cement, industrial inputs. Let me turn to agriculture.

‘With 70% of Nigeria’s arable land located in the North, agriculture is both the region’s heritage and its future, and key to unlocking that agricultural potential is really the world. It’s things like the infrastructure that was referred to by the Chairman.

‘Key infrastructure, such as the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, that will link so many states and their dams and their ability to provide irrigation, as well as link it all the way down to the South, all the way down to the ports. It’s that kind of transformational infrastructural development that is being undertaken under Mr. President’s Review of Hope agenda.

‘And these are the things that are being done differently that give us tremendous optimism that at last some of the discussions which the Nigerian Economic Summit Group was undertaking in the 90s are now coming to fruition. The goal is to build agro-industrial corridors where crops, they don’t just feed the market, but they supply flour mills, textile factories, and export hubs.’

Meanwhile, speaking on efforts on energy revolution for North’s industrialisation to attract investors, the president maintained that the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano (AKK) Pipeline project when completed will make the region an industrial hub.

‘Looking at power and industrialisation, energy, of course, is the oxygen of industrialisation. Without power, there can be no factories, no agro-processing, and no jobs at scale, which is what Nigeria needs. Of course, we now have the Ministry of Livestock Development, and that’s an important innovation that retains great value. But in terms of going back to power, we do have the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano, AKK, Pipeline, and that is a strategic project.

‘And it is almost completed, it will deliver natural gas for power generation and industrial use across the whole of northern Nigeria, and coupled with the Mission 300, which, as I said earlier, is unlocking about $32 billion in energy and industrial investment, we are laying the foundation for a northern Nigeria that is fully powered and industrialised.

‘Imagine a northern Nigeria where textiles in Kaduna, cement in Sokoto, fertilizer in Bauchi, agro-processing in Kano, and mining in Zamfara, are all powered by reliable and affordable energy.’

Poor infrastructure impeding North’s industrialisation – NEF

Chairman, Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, represented by retired Air-Marshal Al’amin Daggash (rtd.), in his welcome address, said the lack of critical infrastructure was impeding industrialisation in the region.

He said the summit was neither political nor ceremonial, but a mission for prosperity, a rallying call to action and a decisive step towards building a sustainable economic future for Northern Nigeria.

He said: ‘We cannot delay any further. The resources are here, the people are ready, and the time is now. Let us be clear: if the North rises, Nigeria rises. If Nigeria rises, Africa rises. This summit marks the beginning of a decade-long journey. The North must walk it with determination, unity and vision.

‘The backbone of Northern Nigeria’s economy, from colonial times through the early years of independence, was agriculture and an extensive network of rail lines. These facilitated the movement of groundnuts, cotton, hides and skins, and solid minerals to the coastal states-predominantly Lagos-for export.

‘That legacy demonstrates two enduring realities: The North has always been the engine room of Nigeria’s productive economy. Our challenge has always been infrastructure to link our vast resources to markets.

‘Today, those realities remain unchanged. Northern Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral wealth, fertile land, and vibrant human capital. But without modern infrastructure-railways, roads, power, and storage-the full value of these resources cannot be realised. This explains the growing preoccupation of government agencies and stakeholders with exploiting our region’s tremendous mineral resources.

‘Yet, as elders, we must stress: without corresponding infrastructure, these efforts will remain sub-optimal; we, as elders, strongly believe that for government policies to deliver meaningful impact, there must be deliberate commitment to the mining sector and its related services.

‘Imagine the multiplier effect-industrial growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and renewed prosperity for our people-if mining is properly harnessed, linked to value chains, and supported by strong infrastructure.’

Abdullahi called for favourable financial inclusion of northern entrepreneurs in project financing.

‘We must express our continuous concern that unless the government and financial sector review their policies, businesses based in Northern Nigeria will remain disadvantaged. The current practice where entrepreneurs can only access substantial credit if they hold properties in Lagos or Port Harcourt is unjust and exclusionary’, he said.

We must speak with one voice – Zamfara gov

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State stressed the need for the governors in the 19 northern states to speak with one voice on security and economic matters. According to him, a safe North is a bankable North.

‘By convening this gathering under the theme ‘Unlocking Strategic Opportunities,’ you have once again demonstrated a clear-eyed focus on our collective future.

‘The choice of sectors-Mining, Agriculture, and Power-is not accidental. It is a strategic diagnosis of the core pillars upon which the prosperity of Northern Nigeria must be built. In Zamfara, we are aware of the paradox we face: a land blessed with immense mineral wealth and vast arable land, yet our people have not fully reaped the dividends of these endowments.

‘The key question for us as leaders is not what needs to be done, but how we can collectively turn potential into prosperity. To attract necessary investment and industrialise our region for the nation’s benefit, we must move beyond rhetoric and adopt a new approach of collaboration.

‘We must collectively secure people and investments. Security is the fundamental prerequisite for any meaningful development. Investors, both domestic and international, are not philanthropists; they are realists. They will not commit capital where it is not safe. We must integrate our security architectures, share intelligence in real-time, and foster greater community policing to create a secure and predictable environment.

‘In Zamfara, our commitment is clear. We are moving from a past of informality and illegality in the mining sector to a regime of formalisation, regulation, and value addition. We are revitalizing our agricultural sector by promoting mechanization, agro-processing, and access to credit. And we are creating the secure and stable environment that is the bedrock of it all.

‘My call to action today is for a Northern Nigerian Economic Compact-a binding commitment among the 19 states to speak with one voice on security and economic matters. Create a Single Window for major investors looking to do business across the region. Co-invest in critical infrastructure like power, rail, and fibre optics that connect our states,’ Lawal said.

States must channel their revenues into economic growth – Nasarawa gov

Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, urged northern governors to focus on areas of comparative advantage, take responsibility for security and avoid a culture of blame.

‘Every state now has the resources to secure its people. We should stop blaming anybody for our security. If we are blaming anybody, blame ourselves,’ he said.

‘For the first time in our history, all tiers of government are sharing more revenue than they ever imagined.

‘Over N2.2 trillion was shared this month alone. When I became governor in 2019, we were sharing between N590 billion and N620 billion. Today, it is four times that amount,’ he stated.

The governor said Nasarawa had leveraged reforms to insist that investors in solid minerals set up processing plants, leading to the commissioning of a 3,000-metric-tonne-per-day facility and the completion of another 6,000-tonne plant awaiting inauguration.

He also confirmed oil fields in the state with reserves estimated at five to seven million barrels, and outlined plans to expand rice cultivation from 3,300 hectares to as much as 8,000 hectares before the end of his tenure.

Gombe gov seeks infrastructure, credit reform for region

In his welcome address, Inuwa Yahaya, the governor of Gombe, said the region was historically Nigeria’s economic engine, but was being held back by poor infrastructure.

He said: ‘The backbone of Northern Nigeria’s economy from glorious times through the early years of independence was agriculture, supported by an extensive network of rail lines.

‘Today, the realities remain unchanged. We are blessed with mineral wealth, fertile land, and vibrant human capital, but without railways, roads, power, and storage, the full value cannot be realised.’

Yahaya called for reforms in project financing to give northern entrepreneurs access to credit.

‘The current practice where businesses can only qualify if they provide collateral outside their land and enterprises is exclusionary. Government and financial institutions must change this,’ he said.

We can break poverty cycle with new thinking – Lamis Dikko

In his contribution to the conversation on the existential problems in the region, Lamis Shehu Dikko, who is the Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), said the 19 northern states face deep socioeconomic challenges, with poverty rates exceeding 60%, and reaching over 80% in states like Zamfara and Sokoto, compared to about 30% in the South.

He said traditional development approaches have failed to reverse this trend, making a paradigm shift urgent.

Dikko said that the central argument is that embedding technology, digital infrastructure, and innovation into every sector of development is the only sustainable path to prosperity.

According to him, a critical first step is closing the digital divide as internet penetration in Nigeria stands at about 48%, but rural and northern regions lag far behind, leaving over 60 million Nigerians offline.

He said this risk excluding the North from the $15.7 trillion global AI-driven economy projected by 2030, and call for urgent steps to expand affordable broadband, smartphone access, and reliable electricity as an economic lifeline.

According to Dikko, ‘Agriculture remains the backbone of Northern Nigeria’s economy and livelihood but yields and incomes have long been limited by outdated practices. Embracing digital agriculture can change that. Imagine widely adopting precision farming tools – from drones and sensors that monitor soil and crop health, to AI-driven analysis of weather and satellite data guiding planting decisions. These technologies help farmers optimize fertilizer and water use, predict pests or droughts, and significantly boost crop yields and reduce losses.’

On electricity, he said, ‘Northern Nigeria’s development is crippled by energy poverty – an unreliable grid and low access to electricity in many communities. Technology offers a two-fold solution: modernize the grid and leapfrog with renewables. Investments in smart grid systems can improve efficiency in power distribution, reducing the rampant losses and outages.’

He added that realizing this transformation requires visionary leadership, supportive policies, and robust public-private partnerships. Regional cooperation, regulatory reforms, inclusive digital literacy programmes, and initiatives to empower women and rural communities are essential to prevent deepening inequality.

He added that organizations like the NNDC can catalyze investment and policy advocacy.

NACCIMA tasks northern govs on investor-friendly policies

In his goodwill message, Jani Ibrahim, the deputy president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said the summit’s focus was timely.

He urged the northern governors to adopt ‘transparent, investor-friendly policies, streamline regulatory processes, and guarantee security of life and property.’

‘Mining, agriculture and power represent the most solid pillars upon which the economic revitalisation of northern Nigeria must rest,’ Ibrahim said.

‘However, unlocking these opportunities requires more than vision. It demands leadership and commitment at sub-national levels.’

The NACCIMA official also called for industrial clusters around mineral belts, investments in infrastructure, and partnerships to improve education and skills.

The Osun State House of Assembly has warned commercial banks operating in the state against granting access to unauthorised signatories to allocations meant for local government areas.

The warning was part of the resolutions adopted by the Assembly at its sitting on Monday.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, in a statement, said the lawmakers stressed that only duly authorised officers employed by the Local Government Service Commission are permitted to be signatories to local government accounts.

The resolutions said: ‘Any attempt by unauthorised persons to access local government funds is unlawful, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect. That all commercial and other financial institutions operating in Osun State are directed to comply strictly with this resolution, while government agencies are to ensure close monitoring and enforcement; ‘That any violation of this directive will be treated as aiding and abetting financial fraud and will attract full legal consequences under the law; and that this step is taken in the public interest to safeguard the resources of our local governments, ensure accountability, and guarantee that funds meant for grassroots development are protected from abuse or diversion.’

The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees had on Sunday alleged that the federal government disbursed six months’ allocations due to the state’s local governments into accounts opened by chairmen and councillors elected during the October 15, 2022, local government elections.

CBN, Accountant General deny release of withheld Osun LG funds

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) have denied reports of the release of the withheld Osun State local government funds to the chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022.

The two federal government agencies insisted that the claim of the release of the funds to the disputed chairmen and councillors whose tenure would expire on October 22 was at the realms of rumour.

CBN and OAGF made the denial when a lawyer to the Osun State Government, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), told Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that the funds, which are a subject of litigation before his court, had been surprisingly released between Thursday and Friday last week, unlawfully to the APC chairmen, through the UBA.

In their reactions, Murtala Abdulrasheed and Tajudeen Oladoja, both SANs and representing CBN and OAGF respectively, denied that their clients have effected the release of the money to the APC local government chairmen as alleged by the Osun State Government.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed October 16 for ruling on the jurisdiction to hear the suit seeking to stop payment of Osun State local government funds to candidates elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Nwite on Monday adjourned the matter after taking arguments from lawyers.

A new scholarship initiative has been introduced in Kwara State to provide sustained educational support for orphans and vulnerable children.

The programme is designed to cover school fees, essential learning materials, and holiday classes, giving beneficiaries the resources to focus on their studies.

The scheme christened as the Mai Nasara Education Support Foundation, currently sponsors ten students on full scholarships from junior secondary school through university across a variety of professional courses.

In addition, 25 students from both public and private schools are receiving guidance under the initiative, which combines academic mentoring with moral support.

Nineteen of the beneficiaries are girls.

Speaking at a press conference during the unveiling in Il?rin, founder of the initiative and Dan Masani Gwanabe, Ahmad Muhammad, explained that the aim was to respond to the persistent challenges in the education sector and to provide opportunities for children who might otherwise be excluded due to financial constraints.

He said the move reflected a targeted effort to increase access to education for the girl child and address gaps in school attendance.

Muhammad said the programme was inspired by the progress made in Kwara State’s education sector in recent years and by the need to complement government efforts.

He emphasized that the foundation aims not only to support academic growth but also to nurture responsible and socially aware young adults who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

According to him ‘The foundation has set a long-term target of N100 million to expand the reach of the scholarship programme.

He said this funding will enable the foundation to sustain support for existing students while increasing the number of beneficiaries and extending the programme to other underserved communities across the state.

He said the ultimate goal is to produce a generation of professionals and community leaders who have the skills, knowledge, and moral grounding to drive development in Kwara and beyond.

The initiative, he added, also includes measures to strengthen the students’ readiness for national examinations and professional challenges.

The Adamawa State Government has announced plans to establish a Free Trade Zone and an Industrial Park as part of efforts to boost investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved the initiatives through the Adamawa State Investment Promotion Agency (ADIPA). The government also disclosed that preparations are underway for the maiden Adamawa Investment Summit, which will serve as a platform to showcase the state’s economic potential to local and international investors.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Secretary of ADIPA, Halilu Hammawa, said the agency is committed to transforming Adamawa into an investment hub.

‘Our vision is clear and ambitious. Over the next few years, we aim to attract at least 20 new investment projects, mobilize $1 billion in capital inflows, and create 2,500 direct jobs,’ Hammawa said.

He listed agribusiness, livestock, renewable energy, solid minerals, and industrial development as priority sectors for the government, stressing that Adamawa is ready to move ‘from potential to prosperity.’

The government believes the projects, alongside the upcoming investment summit, will reposition Adamawa as a leading destination for trade and industrial activities in Nigeria’s Northeast.

The Kaduna State Council of National Association Of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives has commended Governor Uba Sani for implementing the Consolidated Health Salary Structure(CONHESS) and the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure(CONMESS) for its members.

The commendation was conveyed in a letter signed by Comrade Ishaku Yakubu and Comrade Christiana Bawa, the State Chairman and State Secretary respectively, dated September 2, 2025.

The council noted that the ”singular act of magnanimity and fairness has rekindled the hope of many dedicated nurses in your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.”

NANNM added that the Governor ” has not only demonstrated your genuine commitment to the welfare of nurses and health workers but has also reaffirmed your passion for strengthening healthcare delivery in our dear state.”

The letter acknowledged that the implementation of both CONHESS and CONMESS came amidst competing demands on state resources, ”yet Your Excellency prioritized the wellbeing of health workers.

”This visionary leadership has boosted morale, improved productivity and positioned Kaduna State as a model of labour-friendly governance,” the council added.

The nurses and midwives pledged continuous loyalty, dedication and professional excellence in service of Kaduna state, as their modest contribution to the Governor’s transformative agenda in the health sector.

TikTok has banned the account of Nigerian digital creator Energy Goddess, also known as ‘Queenlight,’ in a move that has sparked debate about transparency in the platform’s moderation system.

The influencer, who built her following through a mix of dance, fashion, and lifestyle content, began posting on TikTok in 2021. Before the removal, her account had amassed more than 2.2 million followers and over 62 million likes, establishing her as one of Nigeria’s emerging voices in the creator economy.

Energy Goddess’s videos, often characterised by energetic performances and fashion showcases, attracted attention not only from fans but also from brands seeking collaborations. Her work reflected a growing trend in Nigeria, where young creators are increasingly using digital platforms to build careers in entertainment and marketing.

Fan Reactions

The ban came as a surprise to her supporters, many of whom expressed frustration at the loss of content and disappointment over the absence of an official explanation from TikTok. On social media, some fans described the action as ‘unfair’ and questioned the consistency of the platform’s enforcement.

Broader Criticism of TikTok

Her case adds to a series of account removals that have fuelled criticism of TikTok’s moderation practices. The company maintains that it enforces its rules to protect users and maintain community standards, but creators in Nigeria and other countries have often reported sudden suspensions without clear justification.

Digital analysts warn that such actions can disrupt the livelihoods of influencers who depend on social platforms for income and visibility. In Nigeria, where social media has become central to the entertainment industry, sudden bans highlight the vulnerability of creators working in a largely unregulated digital space.

Nigeria’s Expanding Creator Economy

Over the past five years, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have provided Nigerian influencers with unprecedented reach. Many have built significant careers through digital content, brand partnerships, and cross-platform promotion. Yet, industry observers point out that heavy dependence on private platforms leaves creators at risk of losing access to audiences overnight.

Outlook for Energy Goddess

While the loss of her TikTok account is a major setback, Energy Goddess has established herself as a versatile figure in dance, fashion, and digital content. Analysts suggest she may continue her career across other platforms, drawing on her visibility and experience in social media marketing.

Her case underscores both the opportunities and challenges of the growing creator economy in Nigeria, as platforms expand their influence but remain under scrutiny for how they enforce their rules.

The newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Tuesday, played host to some key oppsotion figures led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and declared that he is no more a politician having assumed the role of a traditional ruler.

Oba Ladoja, a former governor and Senator in Oyo State, was crowned the 44th Olubadan at the well-attended coronation in Ibadan, last Friday.

President Bola Tinubu, four serving governors including the host, Governor Seyi Makinde, first-class monarchs and other top personalities graced the occasion.

However, Atiku, who was absent at the ceremony on Tuesday led the former Senate President, Iyorcha Ayu, former Governors of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Cross Rivers State, Liyel Imoke and other prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pay homage to the Olubadan.

Atiku attributed his non-appearance at the coronation of the former Governor to protocol arrangements.

Speaking with reporters at the new Olubadan at his private residence in Ibadan, Atiku said it was not intentional not to honour Oba Ladoja during the coronation.

He said, ‘We are here to say congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja. We regretted that we didn’t attend the coronation. It was not intentional. Protocol arrangements did not allow us to come during the coronation, not that we didn’t want to come.

‘We know your roles and relationship with some of us. We are here to congratulate you. Kindly accept our apologies for not making it to the coronation. We regret not attending the programme.’

Responding, Oba Ladoja declared that he is no longer a politician, adding that he had good times with Atiku and other politicians in the country.

‘I’m not one of you again. I am Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, I am for everybody now. I am no longer one of you. I am not a politician anymore. Welcome to my house.

‘Now that I am the Olubadan, I am no more interested in anything other than the Olubadan. You are welcome to my house.

‘We started from the Social Democratic Party, we were in exile together, we were in the Peoples Democratic Party together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to the Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.

‘All the religious leaders said that the only thing the leaders can do is to promote justice and fairness. I will serve my people. Ibadan people, the state, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support and advice,’ the monarch said.

The Malaria Consortium, an international non-profit organisation, has said that a national roll out of the perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) intervention could reduce severe malaria cases among Nigerian children by as much as 43 percent.

Senior Project Manager of Malaria Consortium, Dr Chinazo Ujuju, said this in Abuja during the National Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention (PMC) and Policy Uptake Task Team (NPRPUT) dissemination meeting organised by the consortium.

Nigeria currently bears the highest malaria burden in the world, with children under five most at risk of severe illness and death.

Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) involves the administration of a full course of anti-malaria drugs to children of defined ages who are vulnerable at specified times regardless of whether they have malaria or not. Ujuju said the PMC pilot programme carried out in Osun State has shown highly promising results that demonstrate the intervention’s effectiveness and feasibility for nationwide adoption.

‘PMC is an intervention designed to protect children by giving them a complete dose of anti-malaria medicine during routine immunisation. Our results are really very interesting. They show that PMC is effective, operationally feasible, and widely accepted by caregivers and health workers. Most importantly, it can lead to up to 43 percent reduction in severe malaria cases,’ Dr. Ujuju said.

Dr Ujuju explained that the PMC initiative is being introduced as an additional intervention to existing measures such as Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), insecticide-treated bed nets, and Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTP).

According to her, the project was carefully designed to generate evidence for policymakers before full-scale adoption.

The Consortium expressed optimism that if scaled up, PMC would significantly complement Nigeria’s malaria control strategies and help reduce the overall disease burden.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has expressed readiness to adopt the perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) as a major intervention strategy to tackle malaria among children of two years and below, following encouraging results from a recent pilot study carried out in Osun State.

National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, who spoke at the event, said preliminary findings from the study show that the intervention has the potential to significantly reduce malaria infection and severity among children in areas with continuous transmission.

‘From what we have seen in the pilot studies, children who adhered to the guidelines for PMC recorded a significant drop in severe malaria cases. With this evidence, we are confident that Nigeria will be adopting this intervention, particularly for children in the southern states where malaria transmission is all year round,’ she said.

Prof. Olubenga Makuolu, Strategic Adviser to the Minister of Health on Malaria Elimination, described PMC as a crucial addition to Nigeria’s malaria control strategy.

He stressed that malaria elimination requires multiple approaches, combining vector control, treatment, and drug-based prevention.

‘Malaria is everybody’s business. ‘If individuals adopt preventive measures such as using bed nets, keeping the environment clean, and embracing chemoprevention, it will help break the transmission cycle. A mosquito that bites someone without malaria has nothing to transmit to another person,’ he said.

The Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Africa has called on the Lagos State Government to immediately lift the suspension placed on the Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) for Legal Indications.

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Director of WARDC Africa, made the call in a statement to commemorate World Abortion Day.

WARDC described the suspension as a major setback to women’s rights and maternal health, warning that it exposes countless women to unsafe procedures and preventable deaths.

The STOP guidelines, developed by Lagos State, were designed to standardise medical practice and strengthen the capacity of health professionals to provide safe care within the legal framework-particularly where pregnancy threatens the life or physical and mental health of a woman. ‘On this World Abortion Day, our plea to the Lagos State Government is simple: lift the suspension on the STOP guidelines immediately,’ said Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi.

She stressed that the suspension denies victims of rape and incest the full range of medical services due to them under Nigerian law, including provisions under the domesticated Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

‘For survivors of rape and incest, safe termination of pregnancy is not merely a medical procedure but a pathway to reclaiming their bodily autonomy, mental health, and dignity,’ Akiyode-Afolabi said.

WARDC commended states that have taken progressive steps to implement or clarify reproductive health provisions, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to demonstrate similar leadership.

The group demanded the immediate reinstatement of the STOP guidelines, explicit inclusion of rape and incest survivors in the framework, and prioritisation of women’s health and rights over political or religious sentiments.

WARDC reiterated its commitment to working with the government and stakeholders to protect the rights and lives of women and girls across Nigeria.

The administration of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has commenced the digitization of Adamawa State Government archives in a move aimed at modernizing records management and boosting administrative efficiency.