Category: Nigerian Tribune

All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman of Rantan Ward in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano, Alhaji Garba Buba, and another resident, identified as Sulaiman Zunduma, have been killed by suspected bandits.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday night when suspected kidnappers invaded Rantan community and opened fire on residents.

According to local sources, Buba was shot during the attack and later died in hospital while receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the incident.

A resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the attackers also shot another resident, identified as Alhaji Sa’adu.

‘Last night, Sunday, suspected kidnappers attacked our town, Rantan. During the attack, they shot Alhaji Garba Buba, the APC chairman of Rantan Ward, who later died in hospital from the injuries sustained,’ the resident said.

He added that the gunmen also shot Sa’adu, while another resident, Sulaiman Zunduma, was killed during the attack.

A family member, Hafsat Garba Rantan, confirmed Buba’s death and described the deceased as her paternal uncle.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the activities of suspected bandits and kidnappers in parts of Kano State, particularly communities located in vulnerable areas.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the security agencies on the incident.

Nollywood actress, Adebimpe Oyebade, popularly known as Mo Bimpe, has opened up about being excluded from social events involving children during a period when she had not yet become a mother.

The actress shared her experience in an Instagram post while addressing women who are currently trying to conceive.

Mo Bimpe revealed that she once stopped receiving invitations to baby showers, naming ceremonies, children’s birthday parties and other events involving children.

She said she later discovered that some people she knew had deliberately left her out because she did not have a child.

According to the actress, the experience was painful because she has always loved children and wanted to celebrate important moments with the people around her.

She wrote: ‘A few months ago, I would never have imagined writing this. Last night, as I returned home from celebrating baby Rakeem, I got emotional. Not because of the party itself, but because it reminded me of a difficult season. There was a time when I wasn’t invited to baby showers, naming ceremonies, children’s birthdays, or anything related to kids. Sometimes, these were people I knew personally.

‘People I laughed with, worked with, and genuinely cared about. I remember wondering what I had done wrong. Later, I found out that some people intentionally left me out because I didn’t have children. At the time, it hurt deeply. Not because I wanted pity, but because I loved children. I wanted to celebrate with people. I wanted to share in their joy. What many people don’t realise is that struggling to conceive is already hard enough. The waiting is hard. The questions are hard. The insults are hard. The silent prayers are hard.

‘Please don’t make it harder by excluding people. A woman without a child is not less deserving of love, friendship, inclusion, or celebration. Invite her. Love her. Celebrate with her. You never truly know what someone is carrying behind their smile.’ She wrote.

The Federal Government is set to strengthen healthcare delivery across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas through collaboration with UbuntuCare Africa, a digital primary healthcare platform designed to connect underserved communities with healthcare providers and essential health services.

The initiative is expected to complement the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by expanding access to healthcare information, consultations, referrals and follow-up services at the grassroots.

UbuntuCare Africa, which recently launched in Nigeria, said its model combines digital technology with a community-based healthcare network to address barriers such as distance, affordability, limited infrastructure and inadequate internet access.

The platform provides toll-free first-contact healthcare support, nurse-led triage, doctor-led teleconsultations, basic laboratory services, access to essential medicines, referrals and follow-up care.

It also connects users with a network of pre-screened healthcare providers, including clinics, hospitals, licensed pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), enabling patients to transition from digital health guidance to physical treatment and continued care.

According to the organisation, the platform is built around the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasises shared humanity and collective wellbeing.

It said the system combines digital triage, nurse-led support, telemedicine, biometric-enabled health identification and verified provider access to make healthcare more accessible to Nigerians regardless of their location or income level.

A major feature of the initiative is its 24-hour toll-free multilingual health support service, which is designed to provide first-contact healthcare guidance to people without smartphones, internet connectivity or mobile data.

The service is expected to particularly benefit rural residents, women, older persons, farmers, traders, artisans and other groups that face difficulties accessing conventional healthcare facilities.

UbuntuCare also offers flexible subscription models, including daily contribution options, to enable households in the informal sector to manage healthcare expenses in line with their income patterns.

Speaking on the initiative, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UbuntuCare Africa, Chukwunonimem Michael Ike, said the platform was developed to help bridge persistent gaps in healthcare access through technology and community partnerships.

‘Nigeria has made significant investments in strengthening primary healthcare, but millions of people still face barriers in accessing timely and affordable care,’ Ike said.

He explained that UbuntuCare was designed to complement existing healthcare structures by connecting citizens to trusted providers and helping them navigate the health system more easily, regardless of where they live.

The organisation said its approach is intended to support preventive healthcare, early diagnosis, continuity of treatment and increased utilisation of healthcare services at the local level.

UbuntuCare Africa said it aims to contribute to a healthcare system where access to quality primary healthcare is not determined by geography, social status, internet connectivity or income.

It is also positioning itself as an infrastructure partner for patients, healthcare professionals, pharmacies, health insurers, development organisations, governments and private-sector stakeholders seeking to improve healthcare access, utilisation and outcomes.

The platform is led by Ike and Dr. Jemchang Yildam Fabong, whose combined expertise spans technology architecture, digital transformation, inclusive finance, health insurance technology, clinical medicine, health financing, healthcare administration and Universal Health Coverage implementation.

The organisation said it would continue working with healthcare providers, community stakeholders and relevant institutions to strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery and support efforts to ensure that Nigerians can access quality and affordable healthcare closer to where they live and work.

THE Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) is set to expand its membership from 16 to 24 countries, potentially representing about 980 million people, following the approval of eight new candidate countries by its Council.

The eight countries are: Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Zambia.

The DCO, which describes itself as the world’s first standalone international intergovernmental organisation dedicated to advancing inclusive and sustainable growth of the digital economy, announced the development, last Friday, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The organisation also approved the Republic of Tajikistan as an Associate Member, creating opportunities for the country to deepen digital cooperation and participate in public-private partnerships and initiatives focused on digital innovation, skills and inclusion.

The proposed expansion would increase the DCO’s reach to approximately 12 percent of the global population, giving a larger group of countries a platform to participate in discussions and policymaking around emerging areas of the digital economy.

DCO Secretary-General, Deemah AlYahya, said the expansion demonstrated that the organisation’s model, launched in 2020 by five founding countries, had moved from an untested concept to an established platform for international digital cooperation.

According to her, countries are joining the organisation because decisions affecting data, artificial intelligence and cross-border digital trade are being shaped rapidly, making participation increasingly important.

She said the prospective accessions would enable member countries to develop the capacity to collectively influence digital rules rather than simply adopt rules developed elsewhere.

‘The next stage is scale,’ AlYahya said, adding that the potential expansion to 24 countries would help translate policy alignment into infrastructure, investment and common rules for the digital economy.

The proposed enlargement would also significantly broaden the DCO’s geographical footprint.

For the first time, the organisation would gain a presence in Central Asia through Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, creating a new regional axis for digital cooperation. It would also extend further into the Caucasus through Azerbaijan and into the Western Balkans through Albania.

The inclusion of Kenya and Zambia would further strengthen the organisation’s presence in Africa, while Lebanon, Palestine and Syria would expand its representation in the Middle East.

The DCO said the Council’s approval of the eight countries’ candidature marked the beginning of the formal accession process rather than immediate full membership.

Membership will become effective after each candidate completes its respective national internal accession procedures and deposits its instrument of accession in accordance with the organisation’s founding documents.

The expansion comes as the DCO continues implementing its four-year strategic agenda for 2025-2028, which covers digital policy development, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence governance, digital skills, startup ecosystems, cross-border data flows and digital economy measurement.

The organisation said it would continue working with governments, businesses, international organisations, academia and civil society to convert digital ambitions into measurable economic and social outcomes.

Established in 2020, the DCO currently comprises 16 member states, representing nearly $3.5 trillion in combined gross domestic product and a market of more than 800 million people.

More than 70 percent of the population represented by the organisation is below the age of 35, highlighting the potential importance of digital skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology-driven employment within its agenda.

The DCO works to promote digital inclusion, facilitate cross-border data flows, empower women and young people, and support entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises.

It also coordinates digital policies across borders and holds observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and other international bodies.

The accession of the eight candidate countries, once completed, would mark the most significant expansion of the DCO since its establishment and strengthen its position as a platform for countries seeking greater influence over the emerging rules and infrastructure of the global digital economy.

NIGERIA’S foreign exchange utilisation surged by 74 percent year-on-year to $16.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting improved liquidity, greater stability in the naira and renewed confidence in the official foreign exchange market.

The latest data contained in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Quarterly Statistical Bulletin showed that the increase was driven largely by invisible transactions, whose utilisation more than doubled to $11.4 billion from $4.5 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Invisible transactions accounted for about 70 percent of total foreign exchange utilisation during the period, underscoring their growing importance in Nigeria’s overall FX demand.

Financial services emerged as the dominant user within the invisible transactions segment, with utilisation rising by 117 percent year-on-year to $9 billion.

The sector alone accounted for about 79 percent of total invisible transactions, highlighting the significant role of financial institutions in driving demand for foreign exchange.

Business services also recorded a substantial increase, with FX utilisation rising to $1.2 billion from $223.6 million a year earlier.

In contrast, utilisation for merchandise imports remained relatively stable at $4.9 billion, representing a marginal 0.2 percent increase from the previous year.

However, foreign exchange utilisation by industrial firms declined by 20 percent year-on-year to $1.8 billion. The sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials, machinery and equipment.

Meanwhile, utilisation for manufactured products increased sharply to $1.1 billion from $477.9 million, while transport products rose to $295 million from $142.8 million.

Analysts attributed part of the increase in these categories to higher import costs arising from global supply-chain disruptions and elevated prices of critical inputs and raw materials.

The broad increase in FX utilisation came amid a stronger position in Nigeria’s external reserves and improved stability in the naira, developments that have helped to restore confidence in the foreign exchange market.

The naira has strengthened to around N1,339 per dollar in the official market, compared with about N1,431/$ at the beginning of the year.

At N1,338.59/$, the currency has appreciated by roughly 6.5 percent since the first trading day of 2026.

The improvement means that N1 million, which was equivalent to about $699 at the January rate, is now worth roughly $747 at the prevailing official rate, increasing the dollar purchasing power of the same naira amount.

The stronger exchange rate has implications for businesses importing machinery, software and other dollar-priced inputs, as well as Nigerians paying foreign education and travel expenses and companies servicing FX-linked obligations.

However, analysts cautioned that a stronger naira does not automatically translate into lower domestic living costs, as food, rent, electricity, transportation and other prices remain influenced by energy costs, wages, logistics, taxes, supply constraints and accumulated inflation.

The improvement in the FX market has also been reflected in increased trading activity. Turnover on the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) reached about $914 million on Wednesday, indicating stronger participation and liquidity.

The gap between the official and parallel-market exchange rates has also narrowed to about 4.4 percent, reducing the incentive for arbitrage and improving the credibility of price discovery.

Nigeria’s gross external reserves have risen to about $53.29 billion, representing an increase of roughly 29 percent from a year earlier, providing additional support for confidence in the currency and the FX market.

Quest Merchant Bank analysts said they expected FX utilisation across sectors to strengthen further, supported by ongoing CBN reforms and measures aimed at sustaining foreign exchange supply, deepening market liquidity and preserving confidence in the naira.

The developments also come as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its position with international investors following its return to the FTSE Russell Frontier Market classification.

For foreign investors, the ability to convert naira into foreign currency and repatriate investment proceeds is a critical consideration in assessing the Nigerian market.

The improvement in liquidity and narrowing of the exchange-rate gap therefore represent more than a stronger naira, as they point to gradual rebuilding of confidence in the functioning of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

Analysts, however, said the sustainability of the gains would depend on continued dollar supply, stronger external buffers and the consistency of CBN reforms.

The longer-term objective, they noted, is not simply to achieve a particular naira-dollar exchange rate, but to build a liquid, predictable and transparent FX market that businesses and investors can rely on.

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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun a new chapter with a renewed push for regional unity and deeper engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as General Birame Diop formally assumed office as President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Diop, who took over from Dr Omar Alieu Touray at a handover ceremony in Abuja, said ECOWAS was at a crossroads following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the regional bloc, but stressed that geography and shared challenges made continued cooperation with the three countries unavoidable.

He said, ‘We have no other choice, because our brothers, our neighbours, our comrades have left us, but geography remains the same,’ Diop said.

He noted that ECOWAS and the AES countries shared at least 5,250 kilometres of borders and continued to have significant exchanges among their populations, while facing common threats, including terrorism, irregular migration, organised transboundary crime and environmental challenges.

‘We have no other choice than to work in a solidary, concerted manner for the interest of both spaces,’ the new ECOWAS Commission president said.

Diop, whose appointment was confirmed by the Conference of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Session in July, pledged that the new leadership would do everything possible to meet the expectations of the region’s leaders and citizens.

He said his administration was assuming responsibility at a critical period, with ECOWAS also confronted by a political crisis in Guinea-Bissau.

According to him, the Heads of State recently decided in Lungi to designate Senegal as facilitator in the Guinea-Bissau crisis, with the Commission expected to work closely with Senegal to ensure a peaceful resolution.

Diop said another priority would be rebuilding cohesion within ECOWAS as the organisation approaches the completion of the first five years of implementing its Vision 2050.

He said the assessment of the implementation had identified the need to strengthen cohesion, improve the performance of ECOWAS institutions, increase citizens’ ownership of the organisation and develop innovative funding sources.

He disclosed that more than 50 programmes had already been designed but required adequate resources for implementation.

‘Therefore, to take charge of all these key initiatives, which are of proven complexity, we must have a Commission that is engaged, a Commission that is solidary, a Commission that looks in the same direction,’ Diop said.

He also called for fraternity, camaraderie, respect, tolerance and patience among staff and member states, noting that the diversity of West Africa should not undermine its unity.

‘We are not all the same. We do not have the same culture, we do not have the same history, we might not have the same way of viewing what we do together, but we have no choice but to stay together,’ he said.

The new ECOWAS chief said the Commission would also have to respond to the security pressures confronting the region while pursuing economic integration and development.

Earlier, the outgoing Commission president, Touray, said the leadership transition was not merely a farewell but an affirmation of confidence in the regional organisation.

‘Leadership is temporary. Institutions endure. The strength of an institution is measured not by the individual who leads it, but by its ability to fulfil its purpose beyond any one tenure,’ Touray said.

Reflecting on his four years in office, Touray said his administration had operated during one of the most difficult periods in ECOWAS history, marked by political transitions, terrorism, violent extremism, humanitarian pressures, economic difficulties following the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty over the future of regional integration.

He said the outgoing administration nevertheless left behind a record of achievements documented in the ECOWAS Management Performance Compendium 2022-2026 unveiled at the ceremony.

Touray cited progress on major regional infrastructure and connectivity projects, including the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway, as well as regional electricity interconnection and the modernisation of trade and transport corridors.

He said the organisation had also advanced preparations for the launch of the ECO currency in 2027 and strengthened programmes covering food security, youth, women, education and skills development.

According to him, the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable generated an investment pipeline of about $1.54 billion, including $1.47 billion in firm commitments.

Touray also highlighted the completion and occupation of the new ECOWAS Headquarters Complex in Abuja, supported by the Chinese government, and the completion and inauguration of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot for peace and support operations in Sierra Leone.

He said the Commission had also managed the difficult process of closing and transferring ECOWAS assets and offices following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

On staff welfare, Touray disclosed that his administration had enhanced remuneration through an improved post-adjustment mechanism across all duty stations, resulting in salary increases for regular staff and some categories of contract staff.

‘This is the first time the post adjustment has been enhanced since 2009,’ he said.

Touray urged the incoming leadership to keep ordinary West Africans at the centre of regional integration, arguing that citizens experience ECOWAS through free movement, cross-border trade, employment, security and opportunities rather than official communiqués.

‘Our citizens do not experience ECOWAS through Communiqués and Protocols. They experience ECOWAS when they cross borders without unnecessary obstacles, when they trade with neighbouring countries, when they find employment and their children receive opportunities, when their communities are secure, and when they can move freely across our region,’ he said.

He urged Diop and the incoming statutory officials to protect the institution and place the interests of more than 400 million West Africans at the centre of their decisions.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, charged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise regional integration, financial accountability, peace and security and programmes capable of delivering measurable benefits to citizens.

Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister said the transition represented continuity in the pursuit of the vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous West Africa.

‘What we seek is an ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments, where artificial borders and narrow interests have continued to forestall our supranational objectives,’ Enikanolaiye said.

He urged the incoming management to focus on free movement, regional trade and investment, infrastructure, innovation and connectivity, as well as food and energy security and employment opportunities for young people and women.

Enikanolaiye also demanded greater financial probity and accountability within ECOWAS, saying the organisation must justify the investments and sacrifices made by member states to sustain it.

‘For Nigeria, ECOWAS must continue to justify the huge investments and sacrifices that have been made, not just by the government and people of Nigeria, including the payment of community levy, but also by other member states in the sub-region to sustain the organisation,’ he said.

He called for prudent financial management, cost-effectiveness and value for money, urging the new management to eliminate unnecessary duplication, waste and operational leakages.

The minister further stressed that economic integration could not thrive without peace and security, citing terrorism, violent extremism, political instability, irregular migration, banditry and climate change as threats to regional development.

‘Economic integration can neither be pursued nor can it flourish in an atmosphere of political instability, terrorism, violent extremism, threat to constitutional order, irregular migration, banditry, challenges of climate change,’ he said.

Enikanolaiye called for intensified engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, describing the AES countries as ‘our brothers and sisters in our shared region and with common challenges and aspirations.’

He assured the new ECOWAS leadership of Nigeria’s support and urged it to lead with ‘greater vision, integrity, efficiency, and strong sense of purpose and service’ to the sub-region.

The handover ceremony formally marked the beginning of Diop’s tenure as ECOWAS Commission president and came at a critical juncture for the 50-year-old regional organisation as it seeks to rebuild cohesion, address security challenges and sustain the integration agenda amid its changing political landscape.

INTERNATIONAL Energy Insurance Plc emerged as the worst-performing stock on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in the week ended August 28, 2026, as renewed selling pressure wiped more than a quarter off its share price and raised fresh questions about the sustainability of its earlier rally.

The insurance stock fell from N3.87 at the close of the previous week to N2.84 on Friday, translating to a loss of N1.03 per share or 26.61 percent in five trading sessions. The decline placed International Energy Insurance at the bottom of the NGX weekly performance table as investors took profits and reassessed the counter amid heightened volatility in insurance equities.

The latest selloff represents a sharp reversal for a stock that has recorded substantial price movements this year. International Energy Insurance had risen significantly from its end-2025 level as investors responded to expectations surrounding the company’s capital position and growth prospects following the ongoing recapitalisation of the insurance industry.

At N2.84, however, the stock is now trading substantially below its recent highs, indicating that the momentum that drove its earlier appreciation has weakened considerably. International Energy Insurance’s latest financial results provide a mixed fundamental picture.

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, the insurer reported insurance revenue of N1.17 billion, down 50 percent from N2.33 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Its insurance service result also plunged 96 percent to N55.4 million, compared with N1.26 billion a year earlier, as insurance service expenses rose 58 percent to N1.40 billion.

Despite the deterioration in core insurance performance, investment income provided a major cushion. The company recorded net investment income of N1.10 billion, more than four times the N237.3 million achieved in the first half of 2025. This was supported by investment income, gains on financial assets and a N605.9 million gain on investment property.

Consequently, profit before tax declined by 74 percent as official statement shows N177.76m versus N679.12m, while profit after tax fell to N159.98 million from N543.29 million, representing a 70.5 percent contraction. Earnings per share dropped from 42 kobo to six kobo.

This earnings deterioration offers a fundamental explanation for why the stock could remain vulnerable to profit-taking, particularly after its earlier price appreciation.

However, the company’s balance sheet tells a more positive story.

International Energy Insurance’s total assets surged to N42.70 billion at June 30, 2026, from N15.50 billion at the end of 2025. Cash and cash equivalents rose more than fourfold to N31.04 billion, while equity jumped to ?35.30 billion from N9.24 billion.

A major driver of the stronger capital position was the N25.90 billion deposit for shares from public-offer proceeds, alongside the company’s existing N14.09 billion irredeemable deposit for shares.

The improvement is important against the backdrop of Nigeria’s insurance industry recapitalisation exercise, as insurers seek to strengthen their capital bases and expand their capacity to underwrite larger risks.

Yet, for equity investors, the immediate concern is whether the enlarged capital base will translate into stronger recurring underwriting earnings.

That is where the current valuation debate becomes more complicated.

International Energy Insurance had a share price of N5.79 on June 30, compared with N2.50 at the end of December 2025, meaning the stock had already gained more than 130 percent in the first half of the year before its subsequent correction.

The stock’s latest weakness therefore represents more than a routine weekly decline. It points to investors reassessing the sustainability of its earlier rally in light of weaker underwriting income and sharply lower earnings.

There are, however, potential catalysts ahead. Management’s Q3 2026 forecast projects gross written premium of N6.11 billion, an insurance service result of ?3.42 billion and profit after tax of N1.15 billion. If achieved, the forecast would represent a substantial improvement over the first-half earnings performance.

The key question for investors is therefore whether the company’s projected improvement in premium generation and insurance service performance can materialise quickly enough to justify renewed buying interest.

For now, the market appears to be demanding evidence. The 27.26 percent weekly collapse places International Energy Insurance among the clearest examples of how quickly sentiment can reverse in highly volatile insurance counters. Until stronger operating earnings begin to accompany the company’s improved capital position, the stock may remain exposed to profit-taking and heightened price swings.

Three siblings have drowned after the canoe conveying them capsized on Tiga Dam in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano.

The incident occurred at about 2 pm on Saturday, turning what began as an ordinary afternoon into tragedy for the family of the victims in Yalwan Rugu-Rugu community.

The deceased were identified as Murjanatu, Atikatu and Bilkisu, popularly known as Amira, all daughters of the same family.

Family members said the three sisters were travelling together in a canoe when it suddenly overturned on the dam, leaving them struggling in the water.

The three siblings reportedly drowned before help could reach them on the multi-purpose dam.

Confirming the incident, the Chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government Area and Chair of the Kano State Association of Local Government Chairpersons, Hajiya Sa’adatu Salisu Soja Maijama’a, described the incident as a devastating loss to the family and the community.

She condoled with the bereaved family and prayed for the souls of the deceased.

‘We share the pain of the bereaved family and pray that Almighty Allah forgives the deceased, grants them Aljannatul Firdaus, and gives their loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss,’ she said.

Residents of Yalwan Rugu-Rugu have since been thrown into mourning following the death of the three sisters.

However, as of the time of filing this report, emergency or marine safety authorities had not issued an official statement on the circumstances of the canoe capsize or its possible cause.

Adambay Kitchen Equipment has strengthened its supply of commercial food processing and industrial kitchen machines to Nigerian businesses.

The development comes as restaurants, bakeries, packaged water producers and other food businesses continue to depend on specialised equipment to improve production capacity and maintain efficient operations. For many operators, access to suitable machinery remains an important part of setting up or expanding a commercial food business.

Responding to this need, Adambay Kitchen Equipment has built its operations around supplying machinery for different areas of commercial food production, while also supporting businesses that require complete kitchen setups and other industrial equipment.

Based at 19 Olojo Drive, Ojo, along Alaba International Market in Lagos, the company was founded by Adam Musa Muhammed and has operated in the equipment supply business for about 10 years.

Over that period, the company says it has remained focused on supplying equipment that meets the practical demands of commercial operators, with attention to product quality, dependable service and timely delivery.

Adam stated that the company’s experience has helped it understand that businesses require equipment that can support both daily production and future growth.

‘Commercial food businesses need equipment that can support the volume of work they handle every day. Our focus is to provide machines that fit the practical needs of different businesses,’ he said.

Bakery equipment forms a major part of the company’s offering, serving businesses involved in bread, pastries and other baked food production. The machines are targeted at operators that need equipment capable of supporting commercial production beyond small-scale manual processes.

The company also supplies food processing equipment for businesses involved in preparing and producing food at larger volumes.

This extends into restaurant and fast-food equipment, where operators require reliable machinery for preparation, cooking and daily service. Refrigeration equipment also forms part of the company’s range, supporting businesses that need appropriate storage for ingredients and finished products.

Another major area of Adambay Kitchen Equipment’s operations is packaged water production.

Setting up or expanding a packaged water business requires machinery that can support consistent production and packaging. Sourcing suitable equipment can become an important challenge when businesses are trying to increase output or establish a production line capable of meeting commercial demand.

To tackle this challenge, Adambay Kitchen Equipment supplies machines for pure water packaging and bottled water production, serving entrepreneurs establishing new operations as well as existing producers looking to increase their production capacity.

According to Adam, the right equipment becomes more important as businesses move from smaller operations into larger production.

‘As production grows, the machines also need to support that growth. Businesses need equipment that can handle their workload and make the production process more efficient,’ he said.

Beyond individual equipment supply, Adambay Kitchen Equipment also carries out commercial and industrial kitchen setups.

This area of the business brings together the equipment required to establish functional kitchens for restaurants, fast-food outlets and other commercial food operations. It allows operators to structure their production environment around the machinery needed for day-to-day activities.

The company’s wider range also includes industrial laundry machines and supermarket equipment, allowing it to serve businesses outside core food production.

However, bakery machinery, bottle and pure water production equipment, commercial kitchen setups and food processing machines remain central to its activities.

The company says its experience has also shaped how it approaches equipment supply, particularly in understanding that commercial operators need more than access to machines. Businesses need equipment that suits their production requirements and can support the scale at which they intend to operate.

Adam said this understanding remains important as more entrepreneurs establish businesses across food production and related sectors.

‘Many businesses start with a clear production idea, but the equipment determines how well they can execute it. Getting the right machines from the beginning can make the setup and production process much easier,’ he said.

Adambay Kitchen Equipment has therefore continued to serve businesses at different stages, from entrepreneurs establishing new bakeries, restaurants and water production operations to existing companies adding machinery as their production needs expand.

Its location in Ojo, Lagos, also places the company close to one of the state’s major commercial trading areas, where businesses regularly source equipment for different industries.

As production businesses place greater importance on efficiency, capacity and reliable machinery, Adambay Kitchen Equipment is strengthening its place in the commercial equipment market by supplying the systems businesses need to move from setup to sustained production. For the company, the wider opportunity lies in ensuring that the right machinery becomes a foundation for businesses seeking to operate effectively and grow with demand.

The senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, on Sunday, said constituency representation should not be measured solely by the number of physical projects located in individual communities, insisting that his interventions cut across the six local government areas in the district.

Adegbonmire stated this in reaction to claims that Ijare in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State had been excluded from his constituency interventions.

This was contained in a statement from the media office of the senator, signed by Marthins Fasusi, who said such claims were either borne out of ignorance of the senator’s constituency programmes or an attempt to create a false narrative about his representation.

He said his constituency interventions cut across the six local government areas in the district, with programmes covering empowerment, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth development and infrastructure.

Fasusi in the statement cited the Renewed Hope Mega Empowerment Programme as one of the senator’s major interventions, saying thousands of constituents had benefited from various economic empowerment items.

He listed the items distributed to include tricycles, motorcycles, refrigerators, generators, grinding machines, sewing machines, hairdryers, educational materials and financial assistance.

He stressed that beneficiaries were drawn from across the senatorial district, adding that sons and daughters of Ijare were among those who benefited from the programme.

He further explained that the senator had prioritised youth empowerment and job creation through efforts to facilitate employment opportunities for youths from Ondo Central in Federal Government agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, paramilitary organisations and other public institutions.

According to Fasusi, youths from Ijare and other parts of Ifedore had also benefited from skills acquisition programmes and the distribution of start-up kits aimed at enabling beneficiaries to establish sustainable livelihoods.

He highlighted the senator’s intervention in agriculture, particularly his facilitation of fertiliser distribution to farmers’ associations across Ondo Central, as well as training and the provision of agro-allied inputs to farmers.

‘Being a farming community, Ijare stands to benefit significantly from these agricultural interventions. The senator facilitated the distribution of fertilisers to Farmers Associations across Ondo Central as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and food security.

‘He also facilitated training and the supply of agro-allied products to farmers, helping farmers improve their productivity and access the inputs required for better agricultural output, where Ijare farmers were also not left out,’ he said.