Category: Nigerian Tribune

Ahead of the next year election, women leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have pledged to mobilise voters across the state for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The women, under the platform of the Tinubu Torch Bearers (TTB), said they would take the campaign beyond political rallies by engaging communities, educating voters and using their grassroots networks to canvass support for the President.

The commitment was made on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Ondo State chapter of the TTB in Akure, where the APC National Women Leader and Convener of the group, Dr Mary Alile Idele, charged women to take a more active role in the electoral process.

Idele said the political strength of APC women must translate into grassroots participation, urging them to understand the electoral process and educate voters in their various communities.

She said: ‘Our responsibility towards 2027 is simple. APC women must understand that our political strength must be translated into active political participation.

‘Women must not only attend rallies. We must participate in voters’ education. We must understand the electoral process.’

She urged members of the group to take the message to their homes and communities, stressing the need for sustained grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Speaking, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who declared the state’s support for Tinubu’s re-election, said the administration’s policies and federal interventions had benefited Ondo State.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, said Aiyedatiwa had already issued an executive order declaring Ondo State ‘for Tinubu, 2027’, describing the declaration as the position of his administration.

He urged the Torch Bearers to base their mobilisation on facts, dialogue and constructive engagement rather than propaganda.

The governor said the group should help communicate the Renewed Hope Agenda to citizens, particularly women and youths, through community-level engagement.

‘For us in Ondo State, our answer is an affirmative yes. And in line with this, I have already issued an executive order, declaring Ondo State for Tinubu, 2027. This declaration is sacrosanct,’ he said.

The governor also urged women to play a greater role in the political, social and economic development of the state and country.

The First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, charged the women to regard their involvement in the mobilisation as a call to service, with emphasis on grassroots participation, women’s empowerment and responsible political engagement.

She also urged youths and community leaders to contribute to national development.

The Obidient Movement has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his reported month-long stay in France, alleging that the trip’s expenditure could have funded 20 primary healthcare centres and 100 ambulances.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Media and Communications Directorate, the movement described the trip as wasteful and demanded a comprehensive disclosure of the total cost of the president’s stay and the activities of his delegation.

The group said the president had returned to Nigeria after spending about a month in France, at a time when Nigerians were grappling with poverty, insecurity, hunger and rising living costs.

The statement cited reports attributed to an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Kayode Ogundamisi, that Tinubu and members of his delegation operated from The Peninsula Paris, where a Grand Premier Suite was reportedly listed at about pound 7,550 per night, including taxes and fees.

According to the movement, at an estimated cost of about N12 million per night, the accommodation for one suite over 30 nights could amount to about N360 million.

It added that other rooms reportedly cost thousands of euros per night, arguing that the total accommodation bill could therefore be substantial.

The Obidient Movement said the cost of accommodation, aircraft operations, security, transportation, feeding and other expenses associated with the presidential delegation required public disclosure.

It said the resources allegedly spent on the trip could have been deployed to essential public services, particularly primary healthcare infrastructure and emergency medical transportation.

‘The estimated cost of this trip, as reflected in the headline comparison, could have funded twenty primary healthcare centres and provided 100 ambulances,’ the group said.

It argued that such facilities were particularly important in rural communities where pregnant women, accident victims and critically ill patients often face difficulties accessing emergency medical services.

The movement also demanded that the Presidency disclose the specific benefits Nigeria derived from the trip, including details of any agreements, investments or commitments allegedly secured during the president’s stay.

‘We demand that Tinubu immediately provide a comprehensive breakdown of the total cost of his month-long trip to France, including accommodation, aircraft operations, security, transportation, feeding and all other expenses incurred by the presidential delegation,’ it said.

The group maintained that public funds belonged to Nigerians and that the government had an obligation to account for expenditure undertaken in the name of the country.

It also called for verifiable evidence of the outcomes of the trip, saying Nigerians should not be left to speculate about the cost and purpose of presidential foreign engagements.

The Obidient Movement said Nigerians needed improved healthcare, ambulances, jobs, roads and security rather than what it described as extravagant presidential spending.

The clearing of a blocked canal has brought relief to residents of Ogboru Street, off Upper Erejuwa road in Warri, Delta State.

The intervention was carried out by the Warri South Local Government Area as part of efforts to address drainage and flooding challenges in the area.

Speaking during the exercise, Supervisor for Environment and Works, Honourable Femi Okorodiden, said the intervention was aimed at tackling flooding and ensuring that water could flow freely through the drainage channel.

Residents of the area described the situation before the intervention as worrisome, as accumulated refuse and the blockage of the canal had caused water to overflow into nearby compounds during rains.

A resident, Mrs. Fatima Kadiri, said the clearing has brought noticeable relief, noting that water was no longer entering residents’ compounds.

She expressed satisfaction with the development and prayed that similar interventions would continue in other parts of the city.

Another community member, Pius Asumako, who commended the local government for responding promptly to the situation, said the intervention demonstrated a practical action to address the concerns of residents.

He urged the authorities to ensure that the refuse was properly disposed of and to penalise those who dump refuse beside the canal.

, noting that the waste could find its way back into the drainage channel.

Meanwhile, Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Terry Etacherure, has visited Umukwata in Ukwani Local Government Area of the state to assess the extent of damage caused by flash floods following recent torrential rainfall in the state.

During the inspection, the commissioner interacted with residents to better understand the challenges they were facing as a result of the incident.

Architect Uloma Rochas Nwosu, head of The Walsh Blanc, has redesigned the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo facility to serve as a cultural monument and physical archive for the Igbo nation. Combining royal heritage aesthetics with modern functionality, the complex bridges the past and future by blending modern spaces for youth with symbolic features, such as an Isi Agu-themed amphitheater, seven structural pillars, and preserved historical artifacts. In an interview with ROTIMI IGE Nwosu discusses balancing respect for the old structure with the growth needed to create a unifying space built to last 150 years.

What inspired the design of this space?

When His Excellency contacted The Walsh Blanc and asked us to create this for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the inspiration came from the idea that the Igbo people needed a place to unite. So, the inspiration came from His Excellency’s brief, His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha. He asked us to create something that would tell the story of the Igbo nation. The Igbos are known to be very royal and proud in a good way, and so that’s what inspired this. We wanted to create something that gave the Igbo people a sense of pride, a sense of belonging, and beauty. So, if you see it, you will notice we played with a lot of lights, a lot of crystals. Most Igbo homes carry a bit of a royal theme, so we decided to incorporate that in our design.

Can you just take us through some of the elements that would stand out eventually when this space is opened, especially for the future generation? What element do you think would merge the past, the present, and the future to make it something worthy of this investment?

One of the things is the memorabilia, which sits in the basement of this facility. The idea is to preserve history, so you’ll be seeing a lot of audio-visual setups and arts that will tell children stories where we play documentaries. We have a lot of screens there, so we’re learning about our historical fathers, what makes the Igbo race, and all of that. So, that’s one of my favorite spaces at the Ohanaeze building.

We also have used a lot of sevens, like the seven pillars and the seven lights in the second amphitheater. This represents the seven Igbo-speaking states, from Imo, Enugu, parts of Rivers, and so forth. We have about 11 offices: we have the ICT office, the President General’s office, Deputy President General’s office, and the conference rooms. These are all set up intentionally to preserve Igbo history.

The building sitting to my left was told to have been in existence for the past 150 years, and so we have designed this space in a way that it could hold the next 150 years and tell our children, generations unborn, what the Igbo race is all about.

What will happen to the old building?

The plan is to demolish it, but we intend to keep a part of this building to the corner for history’s sake. But the major building would be demolished.

What motivated you to take up this project?

That’s an interesting question because I put a lot of my heart and soul into it. It stemmed from the fact that the person who hired The Walsh Blanc is also very dear to me and told me the importance and significance of what we’re creating. It was supposed to be a place that would unify the Igbo nation. Once there’s a sense of pride, it brings a sense of unity, a unity of purpose. That got my attention, and I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to be a part of history in the making, and I’m glad that we’re finally here.

Looking at what it looks like in here with the audio-visual spaces, the library, the conference areas for a lot of people, it might feel like a space for elite meetings and to direct the affairs of the organisation. But day to day, what are the things that will happen here that will make a difference for the younger people?

I did a bit of research, and I found that the former Ohanaeze building was a decision-making space where they would hold meetings, so you’re right. But what we did was create more room for experiences. So, it’s not just about history, but about preserving history and redirecting our young ones to understand their roots, where they’re from, and all that. We’ve created those spaces to intentionally guide that.

For instance, while we won’t be managing the Ohanaeze affairs, I imagine that with the facilities put in place, they would have excursions for young children and students to fly all the way to see the space. We also hope that this becomes a tourist destination that they would take advantage of, because it has been created to serve that purpose.

I like the fact that you mentioned it’s going to be like a tourist destination. When I came here and saw this building, I thought that was a way to preserve this as a museum of what this has grown into to measure growth. So I was quite sad when you said it would be demolished. Is there any way that it could be preserved as a reference point?

Like I said, we have two buildings. We have one sitting right in front of the multipurpose hall. It’s small, but we intend to move some of the old tables and old furniture so you still get a sense of what was there and what we’re doing now. So, we intend to keep that building and build something around it so it serves as a museum. The major building is closing out the beauty of what this holds and it is blocking the view, so we don’t want to lose our messaging. We’re still preserving something. The old tables and old floors will be artistically put together in the smaller building, so you still get a sense of what it was before. We’re also going to get the videos and pictures of how it used to be and play them at the memorabilia area so you get a sense of what it used to be like.

From an architectural point of view, what part of this project are you most proud of?

All of it, to be honest. It’s in the way that I’ve worked with the two amphitheaters. If you notice, the Isi agu-themed amphitheater, where we worked with the lion face, everyone who sees that will know that this is a space for the Igbos. That’s something that I’m really happy about, as well as how we infused red and white, the known Igbo heritage colours.

I’m proud of all of it, but there’s something that’s interesting, the lobby. We intentionally created seven pillars to depict the seven Igbo-speaking states. And this is just 85 per cent near completion, so there’s still a lot that’s coming in that would further drive the story of what this whole thing represents. I don’t want to let it all out because I want the surprise factor and people to get excited.

When did this project start, and how do you plan to appeal to those who have sentimental attachment to the old building.

There’s always beauty in growth and evolving. Like I said, we’re not bringing down the entire old building; we still have one that we’re preserving. We are careful and intentional about taking the wooden floors and stairs, and we’re going to artistically put them together. So, once you walk in there, those of you that have a sentimental attachment will still feel a sense of what it used to be, and the nostalgia will come back. You’re going to remember it for what it was, but there’s also beauty in growing and evolving, and we are very intentional about preserving history.

Let’s talk maintenance. We know that this project is still ongoing, but are you looking at a maintenance system? Because that is one thing that we lack a lot, so that all of the effort put in here doesn’t just go down after handover.

As far as maintenance culture, if you notice from our level of finishing, we tried to incorporate a lot of low-maintenance finishes. For instance, most of our walkways are cladded in boards, so you would hardly ever see hand stains, taking into cognisance that it’s a public building where people won’t manage it like their personal homes. We used a lot of surface coverings like boards, alcoves, glass, and stones. We adorned the entire facade with stones, which are timeless finishes, so there will be little or no need for excessive maintenance. But obviously, we’re still going to leave a maintenance instruction with the Ohanaeze team once we hand over, and hope that they do it justice.

What were the challenges you experienced in handling a project of this complexity?

As with any project of this magnitude, there are challenges, but they weren’t out of the ordinary or things that we couldn’t overcome and handle. By God’s grace, I’m just excited that we’re here. We’re not 100% done, but so far, I am glad, excited, and grateful to God at how it has been received by the late President General of Ohanaeze, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu, and His Excellency Senator Rochas. They’re all smiles, and that’s fulfillment for us, that we’ve done something right.

Looking around, most of the things we see here look foreign. When we are talking about home and made in Nigeria, can you tell us what percentage of what you put up here is made in Nigeria?

The furniture and couches you see are all made locally. The art at the amphitheaters were done by our very own people; we didn’t import those, so locals put those in place. I would say that a huge percentage of what we’ve done here is foreign, because there are certain finishing materials that are not yet locally produced. Hopefully, this is supposed to inspire a lot of young people to go into manufacturing things that we could use to finish at this level. What’s most important is ensuring that this can stand the test of time for the next 150 years.

It’s 85 per cent near completion, and the remaining percentage will bring in a lot of soft finishings and art pieces that speak to people, like flooring that says ‘Igbo Kwenu!’ This is all created to tell the Igbo story. I like surprises, so I want people to come and be wowed.

Can you disclose how much it took to set up this facility?

To be honest, I think it’s way above my pay grade to say how much. But speaking from the standpoint of what I represent, I know that it took a lot of sacrifice, and it needed to be done. It’s interesting that for a race like the Igbo people, we didn’t have a central identity or a place to fall back to. You have this in the West and in the North, but the Igbos had nothing to be proud of, and that’s what is most important. It’s not in the cost, but in the fact that it is standing before us and what it represents for the Igbo people.

Financial market experts are set to examine the opportunities, volatility, and risks confronting Nigeria’s equities market as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections at the 2026 fourth-quarter Master Class scheduled for Saturday, October 3.

The virtual event, to be held via Zoom, will focus on how investors can navigate market volatility, political uncertainty, and changing economic conditions while positioning their portfolios for opportunities on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The Master Class, themed ‘The NGX – New Opportunities with Volatility and Risk Trading,’ is being driven by Garba Kurfi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of APT Securities and Funds Limited; Dr Sylvester Anaba, Head of Research, United Capital Plc; Abdul-Rasheed Oshoma Momoh, Executive Director, Operations, TRW Stockbrokers Limited; and Ambrose Omordion, Chief Research Officer, InvestData Consulting Limited, who is the convener.

The programme comes as investors contend with heightened market volatility and the approaching 2027 election cycle, with participants expected to examine how previous election cycles have influenced trading patterns and asset prices.

Kurfi will speak on ‘The Profitable Trading and Investing Strategies To Play NGX For The Rest of 2026 And Beyond,’ while Momoh will examine ‘Election Cycle and Patterns On The NGX: How To Trade Profitably and Protect Capital.’

Anaba will address ‘How To Position and Pick Smart Money Stocks In Q4 And Post-Election Rally,’ while Omordion will focus on ‘Straightforward Sell Or Hold Techniques To Handle and Manage Winning Stocks On NGX.’

According to Omordion, the Master Class is designed to equip investors with practical tools for identifying fundamentally sound stocks, avoiding unnecessary losses and building portfolios capable of generating returns beyond the election period.

He said market corrections should not automatically be interpreted as losses, describing them as part of the repricing process through which fundamentally strong companies could become more attractively valued.

‘When the market corrects or pulls back, quality companies that were expensive become affordable with fundamentals remaining intact. That is where long-term wealth starts,’ Omordion said.

He added that political uncertainty could amplify market volatility while also creating opportunities for investors willing to take a measured approach.

‘Political cycles always create volatility. But they also create entry points,’ he said, adding that investors should use market corrections to build watchlists of companies with strong earnings and dividend records.

Omordion advised investors to consider phased buying and naira-cost averaging rather than committing all their funds at once amid election-related uncertainty.

‘Scale in as uncertainty peaks. The investors who do well on the NGX are not the ones who avoid corrections and politics. They are the ones who use both to buy quality at a discount,’ he said.

He said the programme would provide participants with practical strategies for combining fundamental, technical and sentiment analysis to navigate a market characterised by uncertainty, changing investor behaviour and global volatility.

The InvestData chief research officer said participants would also be taught how to identify opportunities while managing the risks associated with inflation, political developments and market sentiment.

According to him, the Master Class will provide hands-on guidance on filtering market noise, determining appropriate entry and exit points and navigating different market cycles.

Participants will also examine strategies for preserving capital and positioning investments in sectors with the potential to support earnings and equity-price growth.

The organisers said the programme would further address the balance between fundamental and technical investing, risk and return, buying and selling decisions, as well as bullish and bearish market conditions. Omordion added that participants would also receive a practical session on selected stocks and strategies for identifying opportunities capable of generating returns above inflation.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the organisers said understanding the interaction between political developments, investor sentiment and equity-market performance would be central to investment decisions in the months ahead.

Bayelsa State deputy governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, has called on the Akenfa community in Yenagoa Local Government Area to discontinue its protest against Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAECL) over the non-completion of the link bridge project.

Akpe, who made the call at a meeting with the leadership of the Akenfa community at Government House, Yenagoa, urged communities to always seek peaceful means of addressing issues, rather than resorting to frequent disruption of oil production activities in their areas.

Sympathising with the community over its plight due to the non-completion of the project, the deputy governor, however, blamed the tripartite committee set up last year by his predecessor for not carrying out its assignment.

Akpe said although it was the first time the issue had been brought to his notice since he assumed office as deputy governor, he would work with other stakeholders to ensure the resumption and completion of the project.

He also assured the community that he would personally reach out to the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ascertain the status of the project, following its official handover by the state government to the agency in 2025.

His words: ‘Embarking on demonstrations and creating blockades to public facilities is not the best option to undertake in order to elicit government’s attention to address your grievances.

‘Dialogue remains the best option for seeking concrete resolution because even when you fight, you will still come back to the settlement table.

‘I am aware of the official communication to the NDDC by the state government handing over the Akenfa bridge project to the agency. So, the solution to this problem is not to stop the operations of the oil company operating in your community.

‘As a people, you should always be guided by laws and not take the law into your hands. We sympathise with the Akenfa community for your suffering due to the non-completion of that project. But let me assure you that we will interface with the NDDC to do the needful.’

In her contribution, Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, recalled what transpired at the meeting held on December 4, last year, presided over by the late deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

She said the government informed the Akenfa community of the official handover of the project back to the NDDC, adding that to ensure the resumption of work on the project, a steering committee comprising the Akenfa community, NDDC and government was constituted at the meeting.

She listed members of the committee to include the state NDDC representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro; Commissioner for Special Duties (Central), Mr. Mandy Akpallo; and Chief Dikivie Ikiogha.

Others are the Technical Adviser to the Governor on NDDC Matters, Mr. Kuro Nyenye; Chief Isiya Albert; Secretary to the Akenfa community, Mr. Wilson Mumeya; youth president, Mr. Moses Izibekiebo; as well as an engineer to be nominated by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Earlier in their remarks, the paramount ruler of Akenfa, Chief Josiah Osom Obadiah, and another stakeholder, Mr. Wilson Mumeya, attributed the latest protest to the suffering occasioned by the abandonment of the project, which was started in 2010, following an alleged agreement between the NDDC and RAECL.

They expressed gratitude to the deputy governor for his timely intervention, which they noted had given the community a glimmer of hope.

Ahead of the 2027 general election, some concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti have called on the party’s national leadership to disqualify and review the eligibility of its candidate for the Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency, Engr Toyin Okoro.

The stakeholders said their demand followed alleged concerns over the candidate’s reported employment status as a former Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, alleged private business interests while in public service, and the ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking at the protest in Ise-Orun on behalf of the stakeholders, Stephen Ogunjemilua said their position was that the party should establish the facts surrounding Okoro’s employment, resignation from public service, and business interests through official documentation before proceeding with his nomination.

The stakeholders said one of the issues previously brought before the state leadership of the APC was the reported employment of Okoro as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abass Tajudeen.

The stakeholders therefore urged the APC leadership to obtain and examine the relevant employment and resignation records rather than rely on hearsay.

He said, ‘One of the issues we brought to the attention of the State Executive of the party was the reported employment of Engr. Okoro as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

‘We specifically requested clarification regarding his employment status, the date and validity of any resignation or withdrawal from public service, and whether all applicable constitutional and administrative requirements had been satisfied before his participation in the electoral process.

‘This was not an accusation of wrongdoing. It was a request for verification. Section 66(1) (f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides that a person employed in the public service of the Federation or of a State who seeks election to the Senate or House of Representatives must have resigned, withdrawn or retired from such employment at least 30 days before the date of the election. Section 318 of the Constitution also expressly includes the Clerk and other staff of the National Assembly within the definition of the ‘public service of the Federation.

‘Our position, therefore, was that the party should establish the relevant facts from official records before proceeding. We did not ask the party to act on hearsay. We asked that the necessary documents be examined and the candidate’s eligibility be properly established.

‘We also drew attention to reports and concerns regarding alleged private business interests associated with Engr. Okoro during the period in which he reportedly served as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.

‘Specifically, concerns were raised about the reported relationship between a private company allegedly associated with him and government-related transactions.

‘Again, our position was not that allegations should automatically be treated as established facts. Rather, we considered the matter sufficiently important to warrant proper verification because, if established, questions could potentially arise concerning conflict of interest, public-service obligations, the propriety of transactions and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

‘We therefore appealed to the party leadership to examine relevant records, including employment records, resignation documents, Corporate Affairs Commission records, public procurement records and other appropriate documentation.

‘Despite the concerns raised before the primary, Toyin Zacchaeus Okoro subsequently emerged as the APC candidate for the House of Representatives seat covering Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency. Our concern has never been about preventing any individual from participating in politics.

‘ It has been about ensuring that the APC does not inadvertently expose itself to avoidable legal, administrative or electoral complications.’

However, in his reaction, the APC candidate, through the campaign council, described Okoro as a law-abiding Nigerian with zero record of criminal activity or fraud, calling on the people to disregard the allegations allegedly sponsored by the incumbent lawmaker.

‘ He has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offence in his life. He is a respected professional Engineer and public servant who served meritoriously, ‘ the council said.

The Director, Media, Strategy and Publicity of the council, Yomi Abegunde, said, ‘Engr. Toyin Okoro was invited by the ICPC to respond to a petition before it, which he has done as a law-abiding citizen.

‘Okoro allegedly operated as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company while serving as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.

‘We state categorically that Engr Toyin Okoro never broke any law as he duly resigned as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company when he was appointed as Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.’

The National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Sir Bisi Fakayode, has received Accord Party presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, on a courtesy visit to the Omo Ibile Igbomina House in Ganmo, Kwara State, where both personalities reflected on their longstanding relationship, the development of the Igbomina institution and the wider question of national unity.

The visit also provided an opportunity for Hashim to draw from his personal connection with Igbomina and reflect on what he described as the region’s longstanding tradition of cultural accommodation and peaceful coexistence, which he said offers lessons for Nigeria’s nation-building project.

During the visit, Fakayode conducted Hashim around the Igbomina House, showcasing renovation, rehabilitation and other improvement projects undertaken under his leadership. He also took him on an inspection of the adjoining hospitality facility and other areas where development works are ongoing.

Fakayode expressed appreciation for Hashim’s longstanding support and encouragement, recalling that he was among the first three prominent supporters of the present Omo Ibile Igbomina leadership from its formative stage.

The group’s national president described Hashim as a friend, supporter and valued stakeholder of Igbomina, noting that although his ancestral origin is outside present-day Kwara State, his upbringing and longstanding relationship with Igbomina have created a strong bond between him and the people.

‘What we are witnessing today did not start today. You supported and encouraged this journey from the beginning. From my days as a local government chairman to where God has brought me today as the national president of Omo Ibile Igbomina, your support and encouragement have been part of this journey,’ Fakayode said.

Responding, Hashim commended Fakayode for the transformation taking place at Igbomina House and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to see the projects firsthand.

He acknowledged the progress recorded under Fakayode’s leadership and encouraged the Omo Ibile Igbomina leadership to remain committed to strengthening the institution and advancing the collective interests of the Igbomina people.

Hashim also reflected on Fakayode’s journey from public service and local government leadership to his present position as national president of Omo Ibile Igbomina, acknowledging the longstanding relationships, encouragement and support that accompanied the journey.

Beyond the immediate purpose of the visit, however, Hashim said his connection with Igbomina was deeply personal.

He explained that although his ancestral roots lie in Yauri, he has long regarded Igbominaland as home, having been raised within an Igbomina family that lived in New Bussa, Niger State.

According to him, that upbringing shaped his understanding of community, identity and belonging and exposed him to what he described as Igbomina’s remarkable tradition of accommodation and peaceful coexistence.

Hashim noted that Igbomina communities have historically existed alongside settlements and communities of people from different ethnic backgrounds, including Fulani, Hausa, Tiv, Zuru, Birom and Igala communities, among others.

He said these communities were not merely tolerated as outsiders but became part of the wider social, economic and political life of the communities around them while retaining their distinct identities.

For Hashim, that experience demonstrates that cultural diversity does not necessarily have to produce social fragmentation.

He described the social environment in which he was raised as an example of the ‘workability, resilience and strength of cultural pluralism,’ arguing that people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds can live, trade, farm, build relationships and participate in shared social and political spaces without abandoning their identities.

‘We don’t have to become identical to become one nation. We can be different and yet belong together,’ Hashim said.

Hashim argued that Nigeria’s diversity can become a source of strength when supported by mutual respect, appropriate institutions and a shared sense of belonging.

The Accord presidential candidate further said his visit to Omo Ibile Igbomina House was more than a social engagement.

He described it as ‘a reminiscence of where I came from, a celebration of what I have experienced, and an inspiration for what Nigeria can still become.’

Hashim concluded that Nigeria’s diversity need not be a weakness, arguing that ‘properly organised, mutually respected and institutionally protected,’ it can become one of the country’s greatest sources of strength.

THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and MTN Nigeria have confirmed their participation in the Africa Sustainability Forum 2026, further strengthening the breadth of stakeholders expected at the gathering scheduled for October 20, at Oriental Hotels, Lagos.

The Forum, with the theme: ‘Sustainable Futures: Driving Just Transitions, Green Growth and Shared Prosperity,’ will convene leaders and practitioners across government, business, regulation, development, finance, sustainability and civil society to examine practical pathways for advancing sustainable development across Africa.

The NCC’s role in regulating and supporting the communications sector intersects with conversations around sustainable digital infrastructure, connectivity and the digital economy. The NDPC brings a data governance and privacy perspective, with the Commission describing data privacy as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable digital economy.

FBRA, an industry collaboration platform focused on post-consumer packaging waste collection, recovery and recycling, adds a strong circular economy and responsible waste management dimension to the Forum. Its work includes promoting sustainable packaging waste management and supporting the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility in Nigeria.

MTN Nigeria’s participation further brings a corporate sustainability perspective to the conversation.

The telecommunications company has identified sustainability pillars spanning environmental responsibility, social impact, governance and inclusive economic growth, including a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

Elvis Eromosele, Lead Coordinator, Africa Sustainability Forum, said the diversity of organisations joining the Forum reflects the need for sustainability conversations to move beyond individual sectors.

‘Sustainability is not a conversation that belongs to one industry, one institution or one group of stakeholders. The challenges we face are interconnected, and so must be the solutions. Bringing regulators, businesses and industry-led sustainability platforms into the same room creates an opportunity to examine what is working, identify the gaps and, importantly, explore how we can move from commitments to practical action. The participation of NCC, NDPC, FBRA, MTN Nigeria, and others adds important perspectives to this conversation, and we look forward to the ideas, partnerships and solutions that will emerge from the Forum.’

The Africa Sustainability Forum 2026 is designed to foster meaningful dialogue around the realities and opportunities associated with Africa’s transition towards more sustainable and inclusive economies. Discussions will explore the intersection of just transitions, green growth, responsible business, innovation, climate action, circular economy, digital transformation and shared prosperity.

The Forum also seeks to create space for stakeholders to share experiences, examine emerging opportunities, challenge existing approaches and identify areas for collaboration that can contribute to sustainable outcomes across the continent.

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Sometimes, governance is not about making the loudest noise. It is about seeing a problem, thinking around it and solving it.

Take what Seyi Makinde has done with the new Ibadan bypass.

You are coming from Lagos on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Instead of entering the belly of Ibadan to wrestle with traffic, heat, impatient ‘Micra’ drivers and the familiar Nigerian symphony of horns, you simply veer off.

Then-breeze, awesome breeze caressing your face.

You are moving, not spending what feels like half a lifetime trying to cross Ibadan. Just a smooth stretch of road, the kind that makes you lean back in your seat and say, ‘Ah! So government can actually think?’

And before you have finished enjoying the ride, you are on the Osun stretch.

Eighteen minutes, yes, just 18 minutes drive

That is not merely a road. That is time returned to the people.

That is a businessman reaching his destination earlier, a truck driver spending fewer hours in traffic, a family travelling with less stress, groomsmen arriving at the wedding before the couple enters panic mode. That is saving expensive fuel.

And this is where we must give Governor Makinde his flowers.

Some governors think. Some governors complain. Some governors think about why they cannot do something. Others think about how they can do it.

There is a particularly lazy Nigerian governmental logic that says: ‘It is a federal road, therefore we cannot touch it.’

Wonderful.

So everybody should suffer because a signboard says ‘Federal’?

Please.

There are governors who have discovered that leadership sometimes means thinking beyond the legal boundary of your desk. You engage the Federal Government. You collaborate. You negotiate. You find funding. You solve the problem within the law.

Because the ordinary traveller does not care whether the pothole belongs to Abuja, Ibadan, Osun or Mars.

He just wants to get home alive and on time.

That is why infrastructure such as this bypass is bigger than Oyo State.

Look at the geography.

Lagos connects to Ogun. Ogun connects to Oyo. Oyo opens the route towards Osun, Kwara and the rest of the country.

When Ibadan traffic is eased, many states breathe.

A Lagos trader heading to Osogbo benefits.

An Osun farmer taking produce towards Lagos benefits.

A transporter moving goods northward benefits.

A family travelling from Lagos through Osun benefits.

Businesses benefit.

Tourism benefits.

Logistics benefits.

And most importantly, ordinary Nigerians get back something governments have stolen from them for decades: time.

Soon, with the right road connections and continued improvements, the journey from Lagos to Osogbo could become less than three hours rather than the unpredictable ordeal Nigerians have become accustomed to.

That is legacy.

Not the number of billboards carrying your face.

Not the number of times your commissioners praise you on television.

Not the number of committees you inaugurated.

A road that continues to save people’s time and money long after you have left office? Now, that is legacy.

And perhaps that is the difference between a governor who is merely occupying a Government House and one who is actually thinking about the people outside it.

Because governance should not be a permanent exercise in wringing one’s hands and explaining why something cannot be done.

‘It is a federal road.’

‘There is no money.’

‘The previous administration…’

‘We are waiting for approval…’

‘It is not our responsibility…’

At some point, Nigerians simply want to ask:

‘Oga, are you governing or writing an excuse letter?’

Governor Makinde has shown something refreshing: sometimes, the problem is not that the government cannot solve a problem. The problem is that nobody has bothered to think creatively enough about solving it.

So, yes, Governor Seyi Makinde deserves the applause here.

Not because everything in Oyo is perfect. It isn’t.

Not because governors should be worshipped. They shouldn’t.

But because when somebody does something that makes life demonstrably easier for thousands-perhaps millions-of people, we should be grown enough to say so.

Nigeria has enough complainers and finger-pointers.