Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Read and Earn Federation for UNESCO (UNESCO REF) and the Risqat Societal Development Foundation (RSD Foundation) have partnered to roll out a digital skills empowerment programme for women serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who are living with disabilities.

The initiative, known as The VOICE Initiative, is designed to equip women with disabilities with practical digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills to improve their employability, promote economic inclusion and expand their participation in the digital economy.

Speaking on the partnership, Founder of RSD Foundation, Madam Risqat Oluwatoyin Jimoh, said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that women with disabilities were not excluded from opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

She said every young Nigerian woman deserved equal opportunities to contribute to national development, regardless of her physical circumstances.

‘By standing with UNESCO REF behind The VOICE Initiative, we are making sure that women corps members living with disabilities are not spectators of the digital age, but its builders,’ she said.

Jimoh added that the partnership represented the foundation’s commitment to building a society where talent, rather than circumstances, determined how far young women could go.

Under the partnership, RSD Foundation will support the identification, enrolment and sustained participation of eligible corps members, while UNESCO REF will provide the curriculum, certification and programme delivery.

The VOICE Initiative, which stands for Visionary, Outcomes-Driven AI for Inclusion, Capacity for Empowerment, is a professional advancement programme for women with disabilities in Nigeria and Africa.

Its first course, AI Innovation and Digital Enterprise (AIDE), is fully funded under the UNESCO REF Educational Financial Facility Scheme (EFFS).

Osun State is the first pilot state for the programme in Nigeria, with its launch on October 1, 2026, as part of activities marking the country’s Independence Day celebration.

Also speaking, President of UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, in a statement on Monday, described the partnership as a significant step towards expanding access to digital education and economic opportunities for women with disabilities.

He said the initiative was conceived to ensure that women were adequately equipped to participate in the emerging digital economy, regardless of their circumstances.

Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan called on other institutions and organisations to support the initiative, stressing the importance of inclusive partnerships in expanding opportunities for underserved groups.

The partnership is expected to contribute to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 4, 5, 8 and 10, which focus on quality education, gender equality, decent work and reduced inequalities.

RSD Foundation is a non-governmental organisation committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through initiatives that promote inclusion, widen opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind.

How do you assess the ongoing disagreement between the NLC and TUC over the Federal Government’s N70,000 transport allowance, particularly its implications for the unity and bargaining strength of organised labour?

I consider the disagreement unfortunate, particularly because of its timing and the broader economic circumstances confronting Nigerian workers. We must, however, distinguish between legitimate differences in negotiating positions and unnecessary public confrontation.

The TUC is entitled to question the adequacy of the N70,000 transport intervention and advocate a more sustainable improvement in workers’ remuneration. Similarly, the NLC has the right to defend an agreement it negotiated with the Federal Government. The problem is not necessarily that they hold different positions; it is how those differences are being managed.

Organised labour derives much of its strength from solidarity, collective action and the ability to present a common front when negotiating with government and employers. When its leadership becomes publicly divided, it creates uncertainty about the movement’s capacity to coordinate its demands and sustain pressure.

We must remember that the ultimate beneficiaries of trade union struggles are workers. Therefore, whatever differences exist between the two centres must be managed in a manner that does not undermine the collective interests they are established to protect.

Could the NLC and TUC have managed their differences through internal consultations rather than public exchanges? What does their disagreement communicate to the government and employers?

Absolutely. I believe the disagreement could have been managed more constructively through dialogue and internal consultations. Trade unionism does not require absolute agreement on every issue. In fact, disagreements are natural in democratic institutions, particularly where different organisations have their respective constituencies, interests and negotiating strategies.

However, responsible leadership requires the ability to manage disagreements without allowing them to become public spectacles. The NLC and TUC are not adversaries. They are sister labour centres whose responsibilities and interests substantially converge around the protection of workers.

When labour leaders engage in public exchanges, they risk creating the impression that organised labour is more concerned about institutional differences than the welfare of workers.

The government and employers are also watching these developments. A divided negotiating environment can complicate labour’s ability to sustain pressure and secure concessions. The two centres must understand that there is a difference between defending their institutional positions and allowing disagreements to weaken the collective bargaining capacity of the labour movement.

Do you suspect there are underlying issues beyond the transport allowance controversy fuelling the disagreement? If so, why should such differences be allowed to degenerate into public confrontation?

It is difficult to establish whether there are underlying issues without hearing directly from the leadership of both organisations. However, where disagreements appear to extend beyond the immediate subject matter, it becomes necessary to interrogate the possibility of unresolved institutional, leadership or strategic differences.

If such issues exist, they should be addressed through appropriate channels of dialogue and reconciliation.

The labour movement has a responsibility to demonstrate a higher level of institutional maturity. Whatever personal disagreements, competing interests or differences in leadership perspectives may exist should not be allowed to overshadow the collective responsibility of defending workers.

There is no justification for turning internal disagreements into public confrontations that could embarrass the labour movement and undermine workers’ confidence.

You cannot be fighting for the dignity of workers while simultaneously subjecting the institution representing them to avoidable public embarrassment. Leadership is not demonstrated by winning public arguments against one another. It is demonstrated by the ability to manage differences, build consensus and protect the interests of the people one represents.

Do you agree that disunity within organised labour could weaken workers’ bargaining power and potentially work to the government’s advantage, particularly as negotiations for a new national minimum wage approach?

Certainly, a divided labour movement risks weakening its negotiating position. Collective bargaining derives its effectiveness not merely from the strength of individual unions but also from their ability to aggregate interests, coordinate demands and sustain collective pressure.

The government and employers are negotiating institutions with their own interests, priorities and strategies. When organised labour approaches negotiations with conflicting positions, it becomes more difficult to build consensus around common demands.

I would not necessarily suggest that the government deliberately engineered the present disagreement. However, the government could benefit from a situation in which labour’s attention and energy are diverted from collective demands to internal disagreements.

This is particularly important now that discussions on a new national minimum wage are approaching. The minimum wage is not simply about the lowest amount an employer should pay a worker. It has implications for purchasing power, income distribution, productivity, industrial relations and the general welfare of the working population. The NLC and TUC must therefore understand that the forthcoming negotiations require preparation, strategic coordination and a common understanding of workers’ economic realities.

The government should be negotiating with a labour movement united by common objectives, not one distracted by avoidable disagreements among its leadership.

What institutional mechanisms should the NLC and TUC put in place to resolve differences, improve cooperation and sustain a common front on issues affecting Nigerian workers?

I think the two labour centres need to strengthen their existing channels of inter-organisational consultation and establish a more structured mechanism for resolving disagreements. They could institutionalise regular meetings between their leaderships, particularly whenever issues of national importance affecting workers arise. Such meetings should provide opportunities for exchanging positions, identifying areas of convergence and resolving differences before they become public controversies.

They should also consider establishing a joint consultation or coordination platform comprising representatives of both centres. This would help harmonise positions on common national issues, particularly minimum wage negotiations, workers’ welfare, social protection and employment conditions.

However, such cooperation must respect the institutional independence of both organisations. Unity should not mean that one centre must surrender its identity or automatically endorse every position taken by the other. Rather, it should mean recognising that despite their differences, they share a common responsibility to Nigerian workers.

The objective should be to institutionalise cooperation so that the relationship between the two centres does not depend solely on the personalities occupying leadership positions at any particular time.

What is your advice to the leadership of both labour centres on resolving the current disagreement, avoiding public confrontations and rebuilding workers’ confidence in their leadership?

My advice is that both leaderships should immediately embrace dialogue and put the present disagreement behind them. They should convene a high-level meeting, review their respective positions and identify a mutually acceptable way forward.

The NLC should appreciate that the TUC has a legitimate responsibility to express concerns about the adequacy of any intervention affecting workers. Similarly, the TUC should recognise that the NLC has the right to negotiate and defend agreements it believes will benefit workers.

Neither organisation should allow the present disagreement to become a source of permanent institutional distrust.

They must also recognise that Nigerian workers are already confronted with enormous economic difficulties. Workers need improved wages, affordable transportation, better working conditions, effective social protection and policies that protect their purchasing power. They cannot afford a labour movement preoccupied with internal disagreements.

I also want to remind both leaderships that the credibility of organised labour rests substantially on the confidence workers have in their ability to defend their interests.

The NLC and TUC must understand that their differences are secondary to the collective interests of Nigerian workers. They may disagree on the road to take, but they must not lose sight of the destination.

Ultimately, the strength of organised labour is not measured by how loudly its leaders disagree with one another but by how effectively they unite to secure better conditions for workers.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a wealth-creating and industry-driven economy capable of generating employment and supporting national economic growth beyond food production.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, stated this on Monday at the Technical Session of the 48th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu.

Ogunbiyi, who spoke during the opening session, said the government was determined to develop agricultural value chains that would connect farmers to processors, manufacturers and markets, thereby creating more economic opportunities across the sector.

He described the Council as the highest policy coordination platform for the federal and state governments on agriculture and food security, providing an opportunity to review developments, harmonize policies, and agree on practical solutions to challenges confronting the country’s food systems.

According to him, the theme of this year’s council, ‘Enhancing Agricultural Value Chains, Agro-Industrialization, and Market Access for Economic Growth,’ is timely and strategic.

‘The task before us goes beyond increasing the volume of food produced. We must build an agricultural economy that creates wealth, supports industries, generates employment, and contributes meaningfully to national economic growth,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary lamented that a significant proportion of Nigeria’s agricultural commodities continued to be marketed in raw or minimally processed forms, resulting in lost opportunities to increase farmers’ income, industrial development, and export earnings.

He said the government’s priority was to strengthen commodity-based value chains and promote processing facilities for priority commodities, including rice, cassava, maize, sorghum, cocoa, oil palm, sesame, ginger, tomatoes, livestock, and fisheries products.

On market access, Ogunbiyi emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural aggregation, improve market information systems, promote product standards, grading, and certification, and leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He explained that while the federal government would continue to provide policy direction, research, and innovation, state governments remained critical to mobilising farmers, providing land and infrastructure, and creating an enabling environment for agribusiness investments.

He, however, assured that the pursuit of agro-industrialization would not undermine food and nutrition security, farmers’ welfare, or the inclusion of women and young people.

He added that government interventions would promote climate-smart agricultural practices, mechanization, irrigation, and access to affordable financing.

Ogunbiyi outlined seven priority areas for the Council, including strengthening agricultural value chains, accelerating agro-industrialisation, expanding market access, mobilising private-sector investment, promoting inclusive growth, strengthening institutional coordination, and ensuring effective implementation and accountability.

He commended the government and people of Enugu State for hosting the meeting, urging participants to ensure that deliberations translated into measurable actions capable of transforming the agricultural sector.

In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation thanked the Federal Ministry for its partnership in bringing the Council to the state.

He said the collaboration demonstrated the benefits of cooperation between the Federal and State Governments in advancing the interests of Nigerian farmers.

According to him, the Technical Session provided an opportunity for policies to be translated into practical interventions, as papers presented at the meeting would shape programmes, partnerships and investments reaching farmers and agro-processors.

He said Enugu State was pursuing agro-industrialisation to ensure that agricultural harvests translated into employment opportunities and wealth creation.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Administration and Supply, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mrs Ifeoma Onu, highlighted the state’s agricultural development agenda under Governor Peter Mbah.

She disclosed that the administration was pursuing a deliberate transition from subsistence farming to commercial and mechanised agriculture through initiatives such as a 300,000-hectare agricultural land bank, Smart Farm Estates across the state’s 17 local government areas, the 260 Farm Estate Programme and the establishment of a tractor assembly plant.

In a goodwill message, the Senior Strategic Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Idris Mohammed, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation.

Mohammed highlighted the Council’s support for increasing the NIRSAL Credit Risk Guarantee coverage for tomato plastic crates from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, with coverage reportedly reaching 75 per cent for some beneficiaries.

He said the increased coverage would help reduce financing risks and post-harvest losses in the agricultural value chain.

The IFDC representative disclosed that the organisation was marking 25 years of partnership with Nigeria, adding that collaboration with the Federal Ministry had been strengthened following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in the year and the establishment of the IFDC-FMAFS multi-stakeholder platform.

He further explained that IFDC, through its Soil Values Programme in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi states, was demonstrating how improved soil management practices could restore degraded lands and enhance agricultural productivity.

The Federal Government on Monday assured Nigerians of concerted efforts to address the structural and institutional challenges confronting the country’s housing sector.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttapha Rabe Darma, gave the assurance while addressing participants at the Stakeholder Conference on the Proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority (NRERA), themed ‘One Vision, One Ecosystem, One National Housing and Real Estate Plan.’

The minister disclosed that the ministry had organised a similar stakeholder engagement in July, during which issues surrounding Nigeria’s housing deficit were examined and validated, with estimates indicating a deficit of over 15 million housing units.

He noted that, despite Nigeria’s estimated population of about 240 million people, access to mortgage financing remained significantly low compared with other countries, limiting the ability of many Nigerians to acquire decent and affordable homes.

‘Our population, as of today, is estimated to be about 240 million. But, as speakers after speakers mentioned, mortgage penetration is very low. It is less than 10 per cent, as against 38 per cent in Malaysia and 40 per cent in South Korea,’ he said.

Darma observed that, although Nigeria had the Federal Mortgage Bank and several other mortgage institutions, the volume of mortgages being accessed annually remained inadequate to meet the country’s housing needs.

He also recalled that the built environment and real estate sector had been identified as the third-largest contributor to the Nigerian economy, stressing the need to create an enabling environment for the sector to perform more effectively.

The minister expressed the ministry’s full support for the objectives of the conference and the establishment of the proposed regulatory authority, noting that the initiative could provide a more coordinated approach to housing development, real estate investment and mortgage financing.

He, however, urged stakeholders to consider situating the proposed authority within the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to ensure effective coordination and alignment with the government’s existing housing policies.

According to him, several countries, including Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Rwanda, have established similar regulatory institutions within ministries responsible for housing and the built environment.

He further advocated a coordinated relationship between the proposed authority, the National Housing Finance Authority and the mortgage policy currently being developed by the Federal Government and awaiting presidential consideration.

Speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin, called for stronger legislation and a comprehensive regulatory framework to address the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria’s housing and real estate sector.

Hon. Jibrin said an effective regulatory framework would help unlock the enormous potential of the housing sector, promote transparency and accountability, attract investment, protect homebuyers and ultimately improve access to affordable housing for Nigerians.

The lawmaker explained that, since assuming office as Chairman of the committee, he had undertaken an extensive assessment of the housing sector, examining its challenges, opportunities and potential contributions to national economic development.

According to him, the findings revealed that Nigeria was yet to harness even a fraction of the opportunities available in the sector, due largely to regulatory gaps, overlapping responsibilities among government institutions, inadequate consumer protection and the absence of a coordinated national framework.

He observed that, although the Minister of Housing and Urban Development was responsible for driving government policies in the sector, several agencies and institutions operating within the housing ecosystem fell outside the ministry’s direct jurisdiction, creating institutional gaps and duplication of functions.

‘There are enormous challenges. We have a wonderful Minister of Housing. But as the Minister of Housing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he does not have jurisdiction over all the agencies and institutions that have to do with housing. There is a link; there is a gap. So, there is duplication of functions,’ he said.

Hon. Jibrin stressed that the challenges in the real estate sector went beyond the activities of property developers, noting that, while unethical practices among some developers remained a concern, consumers also needed adequate protection, information and financial awareness before entering into property transactions.

He explained that some prospective homeowners commit themselves to housing projects they cannot afford, while others fail to appreciate the economic realities, government policy changes and inflationary pressures that could affect developers’ ability to deliver projects as initially agreed.

The committee chairman maintained that a properly regulated sector must establish clear responsibilities for developers and consumers, provide effective mechanisms for dispute resolution and ensure that all stakeholders operate within clearly defined standards.

He further described the housing sector as one of the major contributors to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the capacity to significantly increase its contribution if its enormous opportunities were properly harnessed.

Hon. Jibrin argued that, unlike other major sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, power and telecommunications, the real estate industry had operated with significant regulatory loopholes, allowing individuals to venture into property development without adequate scrutiny or accountability.

He noted that individuals could simply present property brochures to unsuspecting Nigerians and collect money without the necessary institutional oversight to verify their credentials, business operations or capacity to deliver.

According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to address this missing link by establishing a national regulatory framework that will strengthen existing institutions rather than undermine their statutory responsibilities.

He was also quick to allay concerns that the proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority would encroach on the constitutional responsibilities of state governments or take over the functions of established professional bodies.

‘The bill to create the National Housing Regulatory Authority is not going to take over the powers of any state government. We are not going to compete. We are only going to cooperate. And for professional bodies, nobody is taking away your responsibility. It will be protected.

‘For government agencies, it will strengthen you and ensure that every government agency is empowered to perform its statutory role according to its Act,’ he stated.

He added that the proposed authority should not merely be viewed as another regulatory institution but as a strategic intervention designed to unlock the housing sector’s full economic potential by addressing longstanding institutional and regulatory deficiencies.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr Armstrong Ume Takang, commended the House of Representatives for sustaining collaboration with the Executive to address challenges in the housing and real estate sector.

Takang expressed the readiness of the Presidency and the Federal Government to give the proposed legislation a fair and thorough consideration, particularly in addressing critical issues surrounding the country’s existing legal and institutional framework.

He identified the relationship between the proposed legislation and the Land Use Act as one of the important issues requiring careful examination, alongside the regulation of professional practices and the need to prevent excessive regulation that could discourage private-sector investment.

He also challenged stakeholders to develop a regulatory structure that would complement existing government institutions without unnecessarily expanding the government’s recurrent expenditure.

‘To what extent are we going to address the regulation of practice in this sector? To what extent are we also going to ensure that the sector is not overregulated? And how do we create this new agency and fit it into the existing structure of government in a way that we do not expand the recurrent expenditure framework of government?’ he queried.

He assured participants that the government was willing to partner with stakeholders to develop a stronger, more transparent and sustainable housing and real estate sector capable of attracting investment and delivering greater economic benefits.

In his keynote address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, called for a centralised and digitised real estate administrative system to simplify property transactions, strengthen public confidence and make Nigeria’s housing market more attractive to local and international investors.

The Speaker emphasised the need to establish a reliable digital linkage between property ownership records and the identities of property owners, as well as between buyers and sellers, to address issues of fraud, multiple ownership claims and disputes associated with land and property transactions.

In his address titled ‘Building a Trusted and Investable Nigerian Real Estate Market,’ Abbas observed that Nigeria’s housing challenge was not necessarily a shortage of properties but a lack of sufficient trust in the real estate market.

‘Nigeria does not lack property. Nigeria lacks enough trust in property,’ he said.

He maintained that effective regulation should not be perceived as an obstacle to legitimate businesses but as a necessary safeguard against fraudulent practices, unfair competition and exploitation of unsuspecting investors and homebuyers.

According to the Speaker, good regulation protects responsible businesses, strengthens confidence in the market and creates the institutional credibility required to attract long-term investment into the housing sector.

The proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority is expected to provide a coordinated regulatory framework for the sector, strengthen consumer protection, promote professional standards and address institutional gaps that have continued to undermine the growth and development of Nigeria’s housing market.

Most of the time, I reflect on this very profound rhetorical question: Why would an otherwise thriving business enterprise end up in distress? Also, what explanation can one offer when a business leader whom we all look up to falls from a towering position?

Let us examine this systemic cascade which we refer to as the ‘Doom Loop.’ It is the result of an unchecked chain reaction in an organisation. It unfolds gradually from the failure of a company and its leadership to regularly discharge their watchdog responsibilities of ensuring an all-encompassing accountability. Every unit and interaction within an organisation is interconnected and failure of a unit (or units) affects the others (it is a cascading effect).

The Doom Loop starts with a crack, and once the cycle begins, the entire system starts pulling itself apart from within.

A business leader must therefore operate with the awareness that the business environment is evolving daily. You must identify emerging threats and discover emerging profitable opportunities. The organisation must strive always to expand beyond its existing business model through continuous adaptation and innovation. There must be collaboration through strategic partnerships because we must move beyond limitations and conventional thinking. The leader must operate with the entrepreneurial capabilities of agility and agency.

CEOs must regularly translate bold strategic choices into sustained performance and recognise employee mobilisation as the critical differentiator for strategic success. They must measure the quality of their strategies and always move up the power curve.

Today, we have innovative business models that business leaders should adopt. These include redefining customer engagement, transforming the value delivered to customers.

Do not remain on plateaus for the sake of stability and convenience. The flywheel concept is a strategic principle that mandates leaders to build all-involving momentum in the workplace. Consistently engage and energise your people. Small wins accumulate and eventually become visible results. Keep turning the flywheel and ensure that its momentum remains consistent with your organisation’s values and principles.

Creative leadership intentionally drives energised team development.

John D. Rockefeller successfully used four (4) powerful people skills to build one of the largest business empires. He encouraged and developed talented employees; retained good employees and clients; disagreed without creating enemies; and aligned colleagues’ ideas and perspectives.

I challenged my colleagues and team members at our recent two-day brainstorming retreat to be committed to recalibrating, realigning and reinventing ourselves. The adoption of (our version of) the Agency Theory must always encourage selflessness and not the prosperity of favourites. We are all significant contributors to the growth of the organisation. We must exemplify optimism, energy, courage, dignity, integrity and high standards of complementary work ethics.

My charge was that ‘we must not melt from the heat of change and the tough business environment.’

I recommended our unique ‘Corporate Ladder.’ It is not about hierarchy but human dignity, ownership and impact.

We use hierarchy for coordination, not control; equity over titles; and agency over status. The top is not a position. It is the person you become through purpose, responsibility and influence.

We work as teams, not as individuals defined by titles. Every day, we must ask ourselves: Why am I doing what I do? Who am I impacting? What am I changing? And, in a constantly shifting market, how are we using our knowledge to create meaningful change?

We do not climb the ladder to rise above others. We climb to become better, create greater impact and move the organisation forward.

To stay completely clear of the Doom Loop, organisations must constantly evaluate and monitor performance. The Results-Based Management (RBM) method is particularly useful in this regard. It is made up of an array of objective performance dimensions, namely production measures and quality measures. These measures incorporate two (2) primary results-based approaches: the Direct Methods Approach (DMA) and Management by Objectives (MBO).

Through these approaches, a company assesses the outcomes of work and quantifiable results such as sales and productivity. Sales revenue is clearly an important indicator. Management by Objectives (MBO) involves setting specific goals to be accomplished within a particular period.

The Results-Based Management (RBM) approach has distinct advantages. These include roadmap setting, monitoring and evaluation, and feedback. RBM integrates strategy, resources, processes and measurements to improve decision-making, transparency and accountability.

Performance measurement is the continuous process of collecting, collating and analysing information on key indicators and comparing actual results with expected results. This enables organisations to determine how effectively projects and policies are being implemented.

It is very important that organisations do not suddenly become aware of changes in the marketplace after those changes have already occurred. You must monitor causal relationships rather than rely solely on expectations and assumptions. There are multiple levels of causality that determine daily outputs, outcomes and impact.

The questions you must constantly ask when tracking performance are: Are our decisions achieving the expected results? Is our workforce aligned?

Companies must deliberately and consistently ensure that they operate at the right pace and in perfect rhythm to successfully avert the Doom Loop. Everyone in the workplace must work at the right tempo, remain synchronised with one another and stay aligned with the operating environment. Organisations must always maintain the right level of organisational entrainment to remain responsive, cohesive and effective in navigating change.

President Bola Tinubu has said he prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for Nigeria and its citizens during his recent visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Tinubu disclosed this in a statement personally signed on Monday and shared on his verified X handle following the conclusion of his visit to the country.

Tinubu said he and members of his delegation had the rare privilege of entering the Holy Kaaba in Makkah to offer prayers and perform Umrah.

He expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for granting them the privilege and extending hospitality to the Nigerian delegation.

Tinubu said the gesture reflected the longstanding bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

‘In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians,’ the President said.

An okada rider has stabbed a 25-year-old man (name withheld) to death at Olodo garage area of Lagelu Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Eyewitnesses stated that the deceased was stabbed to death by an enraged okada rider over an alleged breach of agreement on the payment of the transportation fare as agreed upon.

It was gathered that the refusal of the deceased to honour the agreement reached with the okada rider resulted in a scuffle between them, which eventually led to his untimely death.

The okada rider, as reliably informed, stabbed the deceased with a sharp object, having realised that he could not match his strength.

The death of the man has sparked off violence in the area, as business and other related activities have been grounded.

Our source stated that people living in the area have been subjected to untold hardship, as okada riders have withdrawn their services for fear of reprisal attacks.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat with our correspondent, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the matter is under investigation.

A Kogi State civil servant, Mr Bode Olatunde, has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to address outstanding leave allowances, promotion entitlements and salary increments, as well as introduce an affordable housing scheme for public workers.

Olatunde made the appeal in a second open letter to the governor, citing the rising cost of living and the financial pressures facing civil servants and their families.

He said increasing costs of food, transportation, rent, education and healthcare had made the payment of outstanding workers’ entitlements more urgent.

According to him, leave allowances previously paid by the state government provided financial relief to workers, enabling them to meet family obligations, pay school fees and cover other expenses.

He urged the governor to direct relevant ministries, departments and agencies to review outstanding payments and ensure that eligible workers receive their entitlements.

He also called for the implementation of due promotions and the payment of accumulated salary increments.

Olatunde drew attention to the housing challenges facing civil servants, particularly in Lokoja, where rising rents take up a significant portion of workers’ monthly salaries.

He proposed the establishment of affordable housing estates for public servants, with flexible payment plans, mortgage facilities, and gradual salary deductions.

He said the initiative would improve access to homeownership, provide long-term housing security and enhance productivity.

While acknowledging the Ododo administration’s achievements across various sectors, Olatunde said his appeal was not intended as criticism but as a request for urgent attention to workers’ welfare.

He described civil servants, including teachers, healthcare professionals and administrators, as essential to governance and the delivery of public services.

He added that timely payment of entitlements, improved working conditions and access to affordable housing would boost workers’ morale and strengthen their commitment to service.

Olatunde urged the governor to consider the challenges facing public servants and translate their expectations into concrete action.

‘Your Excellency, please listen to the silent cries of your workers. Let them have renewed hope that their sacrifices, patience, and commitment are not being taken for granted,’ he said.

He expressed optimism that the governor’s intervention would provide relief to thousands of civil servants and their families.

‘Governor Ododo, we are suffering in silence, but our hope remains alive. Please come to our aid. Let compassion translate into action,’ he added.

The organisers of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards have unveiled nominees for the 2026 edition, with several prominent Nollywood productions and actors securing multiple nominations ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled to hold in Enugu.

Leading the nominations is the romantic drama Love and New Notes, which secured nominations in nine categories, including Movie of the Year, Director of the Year and Best Actor.

It is followed by The Herd, which earned eight nominations, while The Creek, Aba Blues, Colors of Fire and Efunroye: The Unicorn each received seven nominations.

Other notable contenders include Asurf Oluseyi’s 3 Cold Dishes, with six nominations, while Behind the Scenes and Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2 secured five nominations each.

The Best Actor category features a competitive line-up comprising Bucci Franklin for The Creek, Kanayo O. Kanayo for Grandpa Must Obey, Jide Kene Achufusi for Aba Blues, Timini Egbuson for Love and New Notes, Uzor Arukwe for Colors of Fire and Wale Ojo for 3 Cold Dishes.

In the Best Actress category, Osas Ighodaro earned two nominations for her performances in Colors of Fire and 3 Cold Dishes. She will compete against Scarlet Gomez for Behind the Scenes, Mercy Aigbe for Everything Is New Again, Sharon Ooja for Ordinary People and Nse Ikpe-Etim for Devil Is a Liar.

The Best Supporting Actor category features Akeem Ogara (Aisiki), Mike Ezuruonye (Fehintola), Kelechi Udegbe (The Creek), Jide Awobona (Ile), Prince Nelson Enwerem (Aba Blues), Abba Ali Zaky (The Herd) and Ibrahim Suleiman (Evi).

For Best Supporting Actress, nominees include Eniola Badmus for Love and New Notes, Destiny Etiko for Behind the Scenes, Damilola Oni for Aisiki, Nancy Isime for Everything Is New Again, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman for The Herd and Bisola Aiyeola for Gingerrr.

Other categories include Best Screenplay, Director of the Year, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume, Best Sound, Best Soundtrack, Best Editing, Best Documentary and Best Series.

The organisers said the nominations reflected a diverse selection of productions, including commercially successful films, indigenous-language projects and socially relevant dramas.

The 2026 edition will take place in Enugu, with the awards expected to bring together filmmakers, actors and other stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry.

BON AWARDS 2026

NOMINEESLIST

BEST ACTOR

BUCCI FRANKLIN – THE CREEK

KANAYO O. KANAYO – GRANDPA MUST OBEY

JIDE KENE ACHUFUSI – ABA BLUES

TIMINI EGBUSON – LOVE AND NEW NOTES

UZOR ARUKWE – COLORS OF FIRE

WALE OJO – 3 COLD DISHES

BEST ACTRESS

SCARLET GOMEZ – BEHIND THE SCENES

OSAS IGHODARO – COLORS OF FIRE

MERCY AIGBE – EVERYTHING IS NEW AGAIN

SHARON OOJA – ORDINARY PEOPLE

NSE IKPE ETIM – DEVIL IS A LIAR

OSAS IGHODARO – 3 COLD DISHES

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

AKEEM OGARA – AISIKI

MIKE EZURUONYE – FEHINTOLA

KELECHI UDEGBE – THE CREEK

JIDE AWOBONA – ILE

PRINCE NELSON ENWEREM – ABA BLUES

ABBA ALI ZAKY – THE HERD

IBRAHIM SULEIMAN – EVI

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

ENIOLA BADMUS – LOVE AND NEW NOTES

DESTINY ETIKO – BEHIND THE SCENES

DAMILOLA ONI – AISIKI

NANCY ISIME – EVERYTHING IS NEW AGAIN

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Troops of the Nigerian Army, operating under the 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force (QRF), have stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, recovering a substantial cache of ammunition and other items during an offensive operation.

This was contained in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja on Monday by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Col. Appolonia Anele.

According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating the presence of suspected kidnappers hiding in the forest.

‘Acting swiftly on the information, troops mobilised to locate and neutralise the criminal elements.

‘On approaching the hideout, the suspected kidnappers sighted the advancing troops and fired a shot to alert other members of the group before fleeing deeper into the forest.

‘The troops immediately pursued the fleeing criminals deep into the forest, but no contact was made.

‘The troops, however, destroyed the criminal camp, including all its supporting structures.’

It further explained that items recovered from the hideout included 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, seven bandoliers, two shovels, one hand pump, a mobile phone, a Glo modem, two packets of soap, a jerrycan of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), clothing, pairs of shoes and six daylong motorcycles.

According to the statement, ‘exploitation of the general area is still ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.’

The statement further reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army remained resolute in sustaining offensive operations against criminal elements, particularly kidnappers and other threats to the safety and security of law-abiding citizens.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to rid the country of criminal networks.