Category: Nigerian Tribune

The European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have invested pound 108 million through the Boost Africa initiative to support entrepreneurs across Africa, leveraging the funding to attract an additional pound 400 million and create up to 15,000 jobs.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a media briefing on the Boost Africa Impact Forum, themed, ‘Investing in Africa’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs: From Investment to Impact.’

Mignot said the initiative reflected the EU’s long-term partnership with Africa under its Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to promote sustainable growth, leverage private investment, create jobs and strengthen local value chains.

He said the EU was working with its member states and development banks as ‘Team Europe’ to develop quality partnerships capable of generating sustainable economic opportunities, particularly for young people.

According to him, the significance of Boost Africa goes beyond the amount of money invested, as its ultimate objective is to create tangible improvements in the lives of people through entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.

He said, ‘What matters most is the impact on people. And today’s event is precisely about more than investment figures: it’s about people, it’s about entrepreneurs, it’s about innovation, it’s about jobs and opportunities created when Africa’s talent is matched with the right partners and the right financing.’

Mignot described Africa’s young entrepreneurs as among the continent’s greatest assets, saying their ideas could transform economies, strengthen communities and create sustainable prosperity.

He said Boost Africa demonstrated how collaboration among the EU, EIB, African Development Bank, venture capital partners and African entrepreneurs could produce measurable results.

‘Nigeria is one of Africa’s most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems, and we believe that supporting innovation and enterprise is essential for sustainable economic growth and job creation. So this is really the core of our partnership in Nigeria,’ he said.

The ambassador, however, urged stakeholders to look beyond the achievements recorded under Boost Africa and focus on expanding opportunities for the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

He noted that the EIB had recently launched several operations in Nigeria aimed at continuing support for entrepreneurs across the country.

Also speaking, EIB Country Relationship Manager for Nigeria, Moussa Nkoulima, said Boost Africa was not simply an investment in entrepreneurs but an investment in the entire ecosystem surrounding them.

Nkoulima said Africa had a large pool of young and talented entrepreneurs developing solutions in sectors including financial services, healthcare, the digital economy and renewable energy, but many were constrained by lack of capital, particularly at the earliest and riskiest stages of business development.

He said this financing gap was the reason Boost Africa was launched in 2016 by the EIB and African Development Bank, with support from the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

‘If we can provide African entrepreneurs with capital, if we can provide them with expertise, with knowledge, and if we can provide them with a stronger investment ecosystem, then we can build competitive African businesses, we can help create jobs, and we can solve real development problems,’ Nkoulima said.

He explained that Boost Africa did not operate like a conventional commercial bank that provides direct loans to companies, but instead invested through venture capital funds and other financial intermediaries that identify and finance startups and micro, small and medium enterprises at early stages.

According to him, the EIB had worked with six venture capital funds under the initiative, an approach he said was designed to help develop a sustainable African venture capital market.

He described Boost Africa as a ‘smart combination of capital and capacity’, built around three major pillars: investment capital, technical assistance and ecosystem development.

Nkoulima said technical assistance was particularly important because entrepreneurs and fund managers required support in areas such as accounting, market analysis and legal structuring, while ecosystem development involved incubators, accelerators, networks, knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer.

He said the initiative had invested pound 108 million over the past decade, helping to attract an additional pound 400 million from other investors.

‘For every single euro that was invested through Boost Africa, we were able to attract additional three euros through different investors, and that catalytic effect, that leverage effect, alone is one of the most important aspects of the programme,’ he said.

Nkoulima said Boost Africa deliberately targeted the early and riskiest stages of business development where conventional financing institutions were often reluctant to provide funds.

He added that the initiative was not designed to replace private investors, but to take sufficient risks at the appropriate stage to encourage private capital to participate.

He cited Nigerian company, TradeDepot, as an example of businesses supported under the programme, noting that its technology platform had connected up to 40,000 retailers in Nigeria with their suppliers.

He said Nigeria represented an important market for Boost Africa because of its large and youthful population, vibrant startup ecosystem and strong entrepreneurial talent.

‘Many of those business entrepreneurs lack access to solid capital and early-stage capital. And in fact, at the EIB, we found that among the very first beneficiaries of the Boost Africa programme, many of them were headquartered in Nigeria,’ Nkoulima said.

He stressed that the broader objective was to help African businesses scale beyond their countries of origin and become Pan-African companies.

‘When an entrepreneur in Lagos develops a solution that can be subsequently operating in Ghana, in Côte d’Ivoire, in South Africa, in Kenya, we are beginning to see the real creation, value creation, creation of genuine Pan-African champions,’ he said.

Investment Director at Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF), Lavanya Anand, said the pound 110 million venture capital fund, established in 2019, had invested in 15 Series A technology companies across Africa.

She said EIB was one of the fund’s anchor investors, while Boost Africa provided up to pound 1 million in technical assistance to support specific projects involving portfolio companies and the investment team.

Anand said the fund had supported companies operating in sectors ranging from healthcare and financial services to logistics and e-commerce.

She highlighted three beneficiaries of the technical assistance: Turaco, a micro-insurance technology company; GoMyCode, an edtech company; and OZE, an SME credit-scoring technology company.

According to her, Turaco had insured more than two million previously uninsured people across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia, while Boost Africa support enabled leadership coaching for its chief executive officer.

She said GoMyCode received support for customer relationship management optimisation and talent management, while OZE received assistance in developing its bank partnership strategy, which helped it establish partnerships with financial institutions including Ecobank.

Anand said the fund’s impact extended beyond financial returns, with its portfolio creating 7,600 direct jobs and 272,000 indirect jobs, reaching more than 46 million people with improved financial services, training over 13,000 students and contributing to more than 3,000 lives saved.

Also speaking, Chief Strategy Officer of Beacon Power Services (BPS), Christine Adejorooluwa, said investment and technical support from the Boost Africa ecosystem had helped the energy technology company expand from working with one utility to having a presence in 12 utilities across seven African countries.

She said BPS developed technology that enables power utilities to improve visibility of their networks and data, helping them reduce outages, energy losses and revenue leakages.

Adejorooluwa said Seedstars Africa Ventures, a beneficiary of Boost Africa, invested in BPS at a critical stage when the company was transitioning from proving that its technology worked to scaling its operations.

She said the company subsequently received technical assistance in board governance, business development and public relations.

‘We recruited our Chief Commercial Officer through that engagement with Boost Africa. So, I think it’s worth highlighting because technical assistance sometimes sounds quite abstract, but in our case, it has translated to a very real and tangible capability that exists on our leadership team today,’ she said.

Adejorooluwa said Seedstars also provided strategic introductions to potential clients, partners and government stakeholders, helping BPS navigate new markets.

She said BPS had subsequently expanded across seven African countries, while an independent study commissioned through Boost Africa found that its intervention at one utility prevented approximately 78,000 megawatt-hours of lost load.

At another utility, she said, BPS had contributed to a $191 million increase in revenue through measures including identifying new customers and reducing outage hours.

‘For me, that is what investment to impact really looks like,’ Adejorooluwa said, adding that the impact of the investment went beyond BPS to utilities, households and businesses that depended on more reliable electricity.

She expressed appreciation to Seedstars, Boost Africa, the EU and EIB for their support, saying the combination of capital, technical assistance, governance support and access to networks had been critical to the company’s growth.

GRACE has several meanings, but theologically, it could be described as the free, undeserved or unmerited favour from the Almighty God. One gets the grace of God not essentially because he or she has done something extraordinary for Him – God, in His infinite mercy and love,bestows His grace on whoever He pleases. His grace always occurs serendipitously and is always amazing!

On this 2021 music video entitled ‘Grace’, produced by Sunny Pee and directed by Mj, Chuks Ukor says, ‘Grace is the advantage given to you in Christ, which is not based on merit or qualification. It’s a gift to empower you to accomplish the extraordinary and become what God has destined you to be’. Chuks Ukor is an energetic gospel singer, who has three musical albums to his credit – My Testimony, Praise Uninhibited and Sound of Praise.

The single song contained therein in this video is a sequel to his last single entitled ‘Halleluyah’, which was released in 2020. Like many other known gospel singers, Chuks is fond of winning souls for Christ through rural evangelism.

The lyric and performance music video of ‘Grace’ is divided into three interrelated sequences. The first sequence of the video, which is the longest, opens softly and develops in strength to an interesting vamp from the lead keyboardist. The second keyboardist and two guitarists concurrently follow the tune of the vamp with their instruments.

The vamp is accompanied by a sweet melody from a drum-set player at the background. Chuks Ukor as the lead vocalist, having gesticulated to control the pace of the tune, breaks into a vocal line intro that goes thus: ‘It’s all about your Grace/Thank you Jesus/Come on everybody, let’s do this together/This is my testimony’. After the intro, the five other vocalists, two females and three males, breaks into two choruses.

The first chorus goes thus: See what you have done/How you set me free/How you rescued me. The lead vocalist quickly interjects with ‘My life is blessed’, before the second chorus rents the air: My life is blessed/No more pains/I have been redeemed. From there, other choruses go thus: You have embraced me with your Grace/Now Iam on the path to victory (twice). And later to the main chorus of the song: Yawweh Yaweh/You love me so much oo/Yaweh Yaweh/Your Grace abound for me.

The second sequence of the video reveals the gospel singer in his true element with a solo: You are too mindful of me/ Yaweh/You took good care of me/Even in my darkest moment/You never, never disappoint me/ Jesus,all I see is your Grace/. After the solo, the support vocalists appear from the wings with the main chorus: Yaweh Yaweh/You love me too much oo/Yaweh Yaweh/Your Grace abound for me.

The third sequence of the video is in pop style with all the vocalists singing another verse of the song which is repeated twice with some dancing steps: I will win the battle/I will climb the mountain/I will get to the top/Because your Grace abound for me. And from there, they break into the main chorus: Yaweh Yaweh/You love me too much oo/Yaweh Yaweh/Your Grace abound for me. This chorus is repeated till it fades into the visual of the first sequence.

The high point of this video is that it is very clear with a great sound quality. The lyrics written on the screenflow directly with the renditions by the vocalists. All the musical instruments work harmoniously to produce sweet melodies as an accompaniment to the song. However, the low point of the video, which is no way diminishes the excellent performance of the entire band, is that the dancing steps of the vocalists are not well choreographed.

At a time when Nigerian music industry has been taken over by obscene tracks, songs and albums as well as their visuals, Ukor offers his music in praise and worship, which is morally and theologically different.

Ukor’s music is a blend of country, pop and Afro-highlife music found in a special genre of music, which is gospel. Grace is an evangelistic song that shows the significance of praising God and thanking Him for His grace in our lives. It draws the attention of the gospel music lover to understand and appreciate God’s grace while expecting more favours from Him.

In all, the listener does not need to listen to the song many times before falling in love with it and makes it his or her personal anthem. It is a song to be listened to again and again for entertainment and spiritual uplift.

The lyrics of the song are in a simple language with the lines flowing easily into one another.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said under the present administration, poverty is no longer an excuse not to go to school.

The Vice-President of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has provided crucial financial relief to the children of the poor and removed the financial barriers to higher education.

He described the Fund, a creation of the present administration as a vital social equalizer and a primary mechanism for poverty alleviation as well the advancement of education in Nigeria.

Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday when he met with the management team of the University of Abuja, led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi.

The Vice President noted that by ensuring tuition fees are covered and providing monthly upkeep allowances, the scheme-which targets students from less-privileged backgrounds who would otherwise be excluded from tertiary education-has ensured that poverty is no longer an excuse not to go to school.

Senator Shettima observed that Nigeria has crossed the rubicon and is firmly on the path of sustainable economic development under the Tinubu administration.

He cited the recent upgrade of Nigeria’s sovereign credit ratings and outlooks by global rating agencies, attributing the success to stronger foreign exchange reserves, higher oil production, increased federal allocation following the removal of oil subsidy, and the ongoing macroeconomic reforms undertaken by the Renewed Hope administration.

He applauded the management of the University of Abuja under the leadership of Prof. Fawehinmi, saying the Vice Chancellor has provided leadership that has surmounted the challenges that confronted the school in the past.

The University of Abuja, he observed, is now standing on a solid pedestal, as real stability has been restored in the institution, even as he pledged that the federal government will do everything within its ability to give the school the needed support.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Fawehinmi commended Vice President Shettima for supporting and spearheading the growth and developmental strides of the Tinubu administration.

The Vice Chancellor described VP Shettima as a mentor whose leadership qualities have assisted the University’s Governing Board to manage the school, even as he sought the institution’s partnership with the government to move the country forward.

‘We have always known you to be a highly cerebral and dynamic leader. We appreciate the generous strides you are making in the country. We are not surprised at your intellectual agility,’ he stated.

Prof. Fawehinmi said NELFUND, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, has assisted immensely in bringing relative stability in the nation’s education sector, pointing out that students are able to go to school and are able to sustain their stay in the school.’

He stated that the management as well as the Governing Council of the University of Abuja deemed it necessary to thank the Vice President for the support he has always given to the school.

‘Our recent history in terms of leadership has not been very palatable. There have been issues to do with our checkered history, but in the last eight months when we came on board, we tried our very best to stabilise the university.’

A 54-year-old Customs officer, Prince Etteng Ise, has died in a lone road crash allegedly triggered by an attempt to avoid a pothole on the Ikom-Calabar Highway in Cross River State.

Ise, who was serving at the Mfum Border in Etung Local Government Area, reportedly lost control of his vehicle while trying to manoeuvre around a pothole near Alesi Village, Ikom Local Government Area.

The crash occurred at about 2:56 p.m. on Monday, 7 September 2026, according to the Cross River State Police Command.

The vehicle reportedly veered off the highway into the bush before crashing into a tree.

The victim was rushed to Holy Family Hospital, Ikom, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead. His remains were subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary.

The fatal crash has once again drawn attention to the deplorable condition of sections of the Ikom-Calabar Highway, where potholes and other road defects pose serious risks to motorists.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, said preliminary information indicated that the deceased lost control of his vehicle while attempting to avoid a pothole.

The command commiserated with the deceased’s family, colleagues and the Nigeria Customs Service over the tragedy.

It also urged motorists to exercise caution, avoid excessive speed and remain vigilant while using the highway.

The death of the Customs officer adds to growing concerns over the safety of motorists on major roads in Cross River, particularly stretches where deteriorating road surfaces have made driving increasingly hazardous.

The Kano State Fire Service has reported two separate fire incidents at a power transmission plant in Dan Agundi and a paint manufacturing company in Kwakwaci, Kano State.

The incidents occurred on Monday, 7 September, and Tuesday, 8 September 2026, respectively, with firefighters preventing the blazes from spreading to adjoining facilities.

According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the agency received distress calls at about 9:52 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. respectively.

The first incident occurred at a Power Transmission Plant in Dan Agundi, Kano Municipal Local Government Area, where an open area measuring about 200 by 100 feet was engulfed by fire.

The blaze affected one of the electric transformers at the facility.

Firefighters from the Kano State Fire Service Headquarters were immediately mobilised to the scene, where they deployed two fire jets from Commando 1 and Commando 1B to contain the fire.

The prompt intervention prevented the flames from spreading to other transformers and parts of the facility.

The second incident occurred at NUTAK Universal Company Ltd in Kwakwaci by Bola, Fagge Local Government Area.

Firefighters from the Central and Bompai Fire Stations responded to the emergency and found a ground-floor building measuring approximately 50 by 100 feet engulfed in flames.

The fire affected a toilet, 25 drums of chemicals, 600 four-litre paint containers, 10 production machines and three underground paint storage facilities, which were reported to be well alight. One store was also slightly affected.

The Fire Service said two people were affected by the incident before the arrival of firefighters, but both victims were rescued alive.

The causes of the two fire incidents remain under investigation.

The Fire Service urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report fire outbreaks and other emergencies to the appropriate authorities.

It also advised industrial facilities and businesses dealing with flammable materials to strictly observe fire-safety measures to prevent avoidable disasters.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ntufam Hillard Eta, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to open an investigation into alleged financial crimes against former Vice-President and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The former national vice chairman (South South) of the APC made the call on Tuesday at a media briefing in Abuja.

Eta, who dropped the hint that he would officially file his petition at the EFCC Headquarters on Wednesday, is asking the Commission to look at the report of the United States Senate Report in 2010, which allegedly revealed suspicious financial transactions associated with individuals connected to the ADC presidential candidate.

As alleged by the former member of the APC National Working Committee, startling revelations contained in the US Senate Report included US$40 million in suspect funds into the United States between 2000 and 2008 through offshore corporations and accounts allegedly associated with Jennifer Douglas, Atiku Abubakar’s wife; allegations involving payments connected to Siemens AG and US$14 million transferred by offshore corporations to American University located in Yola, Adamawa State and owned by Atiku Abubakar.

He said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians deserve to know precisely what has been alleged rather than dealing with vague political accusations.

‘First, there were allegations concerning the movement of more than US$40 million in suspect funds into the United States between 2000 and 2008 through offshore corporations and accounts associated with Jennifer Douglas, Atiku Abubakar’s wife. The U.S. Senate investigation examined transfers involving entities including LetsGo Ltd., Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria Ltd. and Sima Holding Ltd. According to the Senate report, more than half of the funds; approximately US$25 million; were transferred by offshore corporations into U.S. bank accounts opened by Douglas (Homeland Security Committee, 2010).

‘Second, the U.S. Senate report examined allegations involving payments connected to Siemens AG. The report stated that Douglas received at least US$1.7 million in alleged bribe payments connected to Siemens, while an SEC civil complaint had alleged US$2.8 million in bribe payments to her from Siemens. These are allegations and findings contained in historical records and must not be presented as a criminal conviction against Atiku (Homeland Security Committee 2010).

‘Third, there were questions concerning approximately US$14 million transferred by offshore corporations to American University in connection with consulting services relating to the establishment of the university in Nigeria. The Senate report examined the source and movement of those funds and the relationship between the offshore entities and the university project founded by Atiku. (Homeland Security Committee 2010)

‘Fourth, there were allegations in Nigeria concerning the use of companies and bank accounts as so-called Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to divert or misappropriate public funds during the period Atiku served as Vice-President between 1999 and 2007. These allegations became particularly prominent in 2023 following claims attributed to Michael Achimugu, described as a former aide to Atiku. A subsequent petition by Festus Keyamo asked the EFCC, ICPC and CCB to investigate the allegations (TheCable, 2023).

‘Fifth, the 2023 petition raised allegations bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, conspiracy and possible violations of the Code of Conduct applicable to public officers. These were allegations presented to law-enforcement authorities, not findings of guilt by a court (Punch, 2023).

‘Sixth, questions were raised concerning Atiku’s alleged knowledge of certain accounts, including an account associated with Marine Float and accounts belonging to other companies, which were alleged to have been used as vehicles for the movement or diversion of public funds. The allegations formed part of the case brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja in 2023.’

The APC chieftain, who cautioned against political persecution, tasked the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation in order to avoid accusations that it was being used by the ruling party to witch-hunt a candidate of a rival party on the eve of a general election.’

‘Mere political with-hunt’

Reacting to the call for his investigation, the ADC presidential candidate, who spoke through his media aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed the call for his investigation as mere political witch-hunt.

He said: ‘When an incumbent government begins to feel politically threatened, the institutions of state suddenly become intensely interested in its opponents.

‘The latest episode is the move to bring former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, under the scrutiny of the EFCC.’

Atiku recalled that the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, in which he was incidentally Vice-President, investigated him but was left with no evidence to pursue his prosecution.

‘Nearly two decades later, different administrations controlled the machinery of the Nigerian state. Yet no successive administration found it necessary to prosecute Atiku Abubakar for corruption. Until now,’ he said.

‘Now, as Nigeria moves toward another presidential election, Atiku has emerged as the principal opposition challenger to President Bola Tinubu. And suddenly, an old allegation acquires new urgency.’

‘If Atiku Abubakar has committed a crime, investigate him. If there is credible evidence, charge him. If the evidence withstands judicial scrutiny and the courts find him guilty, let the law take its course.

‘But if the objective is to intimidate, embarrass, distract, or politically weaken an opposition candidate on the eve of a major election, then Nigerians have every right to question the motive.’

The tales of woe over the deplorable state of roads in Edo are not limited to commuters in transit on the linking highways in the state, as residents of Benin City, the state capital, also groan as most intra-city roads have become deplorable.

Most hit are roads within the Government Reserved Areas (GRA), which were constructed decades ago without any visible rehabilitation work done by successive governments in the state.

But more appalling is the condition of the Oba Ovoranmen Square, otherwise known as Ring Road, which, in recent months, has become an eyesore with potholes and deep craters, with the residents of the metropolitan city calling on Governor Monday Okpebholo to rescue the city centre.

From the Mission Road, Oba Market Road and Plymouth Road entries to the Ring Road, it has become a herculean task for commuters using the square as they meander through the numerous potholes that have almost rendered the city centre impassable.

The situation is indescribable, especially in the early hours of the day when workers struggle to get to work and late in the evening, when the workers and traders close for the day.

Besides, commercial drivers that were previously barred from dropping and picking up passengers at the Kings Square have turned the place into a motor park, just as the rains have not helped matters either, as vehicles break down in the potholes that are usually covered by erosion.

In the GRA, Ihama Road by the House of Assembly Quarters remains impassable whenever it rains, while the Boundary Road towards Airport Road and Adesuwa Grammar School Road suffers the same fate whenever the rain falls.

Giwa Amu, Gapiona and other adjoining roads are also at the mercy of erosion as there are no drainages to take the overflow of water out of the GRA.

Gardens built around the King’s Square by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole have overgrown with weeds, even as hawkers are seen all over the place, turning all the walkways into extensions of their stores.

The National Museum, which used to be a point of attraction from any point of the King’s Square, has now become unkempt, overgrown with grass.

Some residents, who spoke with journalists over the deplorable state of the Ring Road, described its current state as a bad tale ahead of the Oba of Benin’s 10th coronation anniversary.

A resident, Mr. Osaro Idemudia, while responding to our correspondent, said: ‘We are not happy with the way the Ring Road is looking. Bus drivers are supposed to take passengers at the Central Park. Look at dirt everywhere.’

Another motorist, James Igie, opined that ‘Kings Square represents the image of the state, and called on the state government to attend to the situation promptly.

‘It was sad that the Oba Ovoranmen Square was allowed to look dirty. This is not good, and we hope the government will address the situation.

For Solomon Aibangbee, a businessman, ‘in the last two weeks, the state of the roads in Edo State has been in the news all over the world. Passengers and motorists spend days passing through Edo State because of bad roads.

‘As if that is not enough, you now add the roads within Benin City to the problems. Is Ring Road also a federal Road? I ask because that is the usual excuse we hear.’ Aibangbee bemoaned

When contacted for comments, the Managing Director of Edo State Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Felix Ibhade, said there were plans to fix the Ring Road.

Ibhade added that Governor Okpebholo had said that he would not want to do palliative work on the road but a full-blown asphalting rehabilitation.

‘So we are on it. Our constraint is the rain because the majority of the roads we have given amelioration, the rain washed them up. So we are waiting for the rain to subside. That is the beauty of the town, and we don’t do it and after one month it will wear out. We will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Works because it is not going to be an easy job,’ Ibhade admitted.

On his part, the Managing Director, Edo State Parks and Gardens Agency, Pastor Stanley Ighodaro, assured that Governor Okpebholo had shown commitment to beautify Benin City centre and other areas in the state.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully secured the arrest and repatriation of Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a fugitive drug kingpin who had evaded arrest for over two years following the interception of the single largest heroin consignment ever recorded at the Lagos International Airport.

The Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Wednesday that Ibewuike, who relocated to Mozambique where he ran a hotel business as a front, was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia after operatives of the Agency’s Lagos International Airport Strategic Command, in a coordinated 12-day operation in February 2024, intercepted 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.

The operation, which led to the arrest of key members of the syndicate, including his wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code ‘ND’ on his behalf, also resulted in the freezing of 107 bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.

According to the statement, those arrested were subsequently charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in Charge No. FHC/L/205C/2024.

Three of the suspects who have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court include Adinnu Felix Chinedu; Osita Emmanuel Obinna; and Uzochukwu Frankline.

Three other suspects still standing trial before the court are Chidiebere Reginald Peter; Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene, while three others who were charged in absentia include Ibewuike Festus, a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest; Osita Chidozie Cyril; and one Arinze.

Babafemi said that for over two years, Ibewuike remained a fugitive, shuttling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in a calculated bid to evade Nigerian law enforcement.

That evasion came to an end following actionable intelligence, which led to his arrest at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on 2 September 2026, while the Agency worked with INTERPOL both in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his handover to a team of NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on 4 September. He was thereafter conveyed to Nigeria to answer for his role in the trafficking syndicate.

During preliminary interviews, Ibewuike confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike. On Saturday, 5 September 2026, he was taken to the Agency’s Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the parcels of heroin, bearing the ‘ND’ code, established to be linked to him.

Further investigation also revealed that Ibewuike Festus had previously been associated with another drug-related case before the Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, in Charge No. FHC/L/203C/2013, regarding the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. The case involved one Chidi Ihedioha, who was subsequently convicted by the court in 2023.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the Agency’s relentless pursuit of fleeing drug kingpins.

According to the NDLEA boss, ‘This arrest is a major breakthrough in our resolve to track down and bring to justice every drug baron who thinks that fleeing Nigeria’s shores puts them beyond the reach of the law.

‘As I have always vowed, the long arm of the NDLEA will catch up with anyone involved in this illicit trade, no matter how long it takes or how far they run. Festus Ibewuike ran for over two years, hiding under a change of name and a new life abroad, but today he is back in Nigeria to answer for the 49.70kg heroin seizure linked to his network. This should serve as a fresh warning to fleeing suspects still at large: the Agency will not relent until every one of you is brought to book,’ he added.

The NDLEA Chairman commended the excellent multinational cooperation that made the breakthrough possible, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, for their role in ensuring a smooth transfer of custody.

Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka has dissociated himself from sponsored protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing reports linking him to the action as false and misleading.

In a statement signed by his Head of Media and Public Communications, Prince Tijani Dauda, which was made available to newsmen, Ajaka said he neither authorised, sponsored, directed, commissioned nor coordinated the protest.

The statement was issued in response to a publication by a group identified as ‘Igala Vanguard,’ attributed to one Engr. Lawrence Ankpa, which allegedly linked Ajaka to the demonstration.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka did not authorize, sponsor, direct, commission or coordinate the protest,’ the statement said.

It added that attributing the actions of independent citizens to Ajaka was an attempt to mislead the public and drag his name into an issue with which he was not connected.

Ajaka’s media aide also defended the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protests, stressing that Igala youths did not require the permission of any political actor to assemble and express concerns about issues affecting their communities, representation, and future.

The statement questioned why citizens who independently chose to speak out on matters affecting them should automatically be associated with Ajaka.

It further accused unnamed individuals and groups of using fictitious associations and pseudo-identities to engage in character assassination, political manipulation and the spread of unsubstantiated allegations.

The statement warned those allegedly operating behind such platforms to stop using Ajaka’s name for political propaganda, blackmail and manufactured controversies.

It challenged anyone with allegations against Ajaka to come forward openly, using their real names and presenting facts and evidence that could withstand public scrutiny.

The statement, however, clarified that Ajaka holds the Chairman of INEC and the Commission in high esteem.

According to it, Ajaka respects the constitutional responsibilities entrusted to the INEC Chairman and remains confident that the Commission will continue to discharge its duties with fairness, professionalism and regard for the law.

The statement urged the public to disregard the alleged false attribution and be guided accordingly.

Landing a high-paying job today isnt mainly about presenting a flawless CV. Whether you are targeting top domestic firms or international remote positions, recruiters investigate candidates deeply before scheduling interviews.

Many job seekers wonder why their applications get ghosted despite meeting every single qualification. The uncomfortable truth is that a single offensive post, an embarrassing old photo, or an aggressive comment from years ago can instantly disqualify you.

Nowadays, employers use social networking sites to research candidates during the hiring process, and more than half have rejected an applicant solely based on content found online.

Remote companies place even higher value on your virtual presence because your online demeanor reflects how you will communicate in virtual workspaces.

In this article, Tribune Online examines the essential actions required to scrub your internet presence and present a clean, hireable image worldwide.

Google your full name in private browsing

The first step is seeing exactly what hiring managers see when they type your name into search bars.

Open an incognito browser window, enter your name in quotation marks alongside your current city or industry, and check the first few pages of search results including Google Images.

This helps you identify forgotten blogs, tagged photos, or old forum arguments you must address immediately.

Audit and sanitise your social media handles

Go through your active accounts on platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram to delete questionable posts. Remove content involving offensive language, controversial political rants, unprofessional jokes, or alcohol and substance abuse.

For personal accounts you do not intend to use professionally, switch the visibility settings strictly to private so external recruiters cannot view your personal moments.

Deactivate abandoned accounts and forum profiles

Most internet users leave behind dozens of dormant accounts on platforms they haven’t touched in a decade.

Old profiles on Quora, Nairaland, Reddit, or old gaming portals frequently show up in Google search results and can reveal sensitive personal details.

Use account management tools to permanently delete these inactive profiles so they stop generating search indexed matches.

Build an active and optimised LinkedIn profile

Cleaning up your past is only half the battle; you must also replace negative search hits with positive, authoritative professional content.

Cybersecurity analysts at Norton emphasise that proactively generating positive digital content helps suppress unwanted search results that you cannot easily delete.

Keep your LinkedIn headline sharp, maintain a high-quality headshot, and publish industry insights to show international hiring teams that you are serious, capable, and ready for work.