Category: PM News

By Jethro Ibileke

The Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State council, has said that the labour environment in the today cannot and must not inspire celebration.

NLC stated this in a statement on Thursday, titled “A May Day That Must Not Hold” to mark this year’s Workers’ Day.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Edo NLC, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, who signed the statement, described May 1 of as a day to reflect on the rights of labour, to honor the sweat and sacrifice of workers.

NLC in the state is currently divided, with Prof. Igbafen heading a faction recognized by the national leadership of the Union while Bernard Eguakhide heading the faction supported by the State Government.

Apparently alluding to the division, Igbafen said the labour environment in Edo today cannot and must not inspire celebration.

“May Day is a sacred global occasion. It belongs to the toiling working class — the proletariat. It is a day to reflect on the rights of labour, to honor the sweat and sacrifice of workers, and to celebrate our collective hand in building the wealth of nations.

“Let it be said plainly: May Day is not for the oppressor. It is not for the compradors, the bourgeoisie, or the employers of labour to parade their dominance. It was never meant to celebrate the conquest of workers’ autonomy, nor to mask the strangulation of independent trade unionism.

“Other State Councils of the NLC across this federation may, perhaps, find reason to roll out drums on May Day. But we, the Caretaker Committee of the Edo State NLC, speaking for every right-thinking worker in this state, declare without apology: the labour environment in Edo today cannot and must not inspire celebration. For how can a people divided ever be joyful?”, he queried.

Igbafen added: “Edo NLC is in a quagmire. We are locked in struggle against the combined forces of reactionaries, impostors, self-imposed leaders, political collaborators, and labour aristocrats. Every genuine effort to reposition this Council has been met with repression. Yet we are not in despair. The struggle continues.

“Therefore, let the record reflect this truth: No pretentious May Day organized, engineered, and bankrolled by compradors can ever keep alive the glorious philosophy of May Day.”

Addressing the workers in the the State, the Caretaker Chairman noted that tomorrow’s celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is not true reflection of May Day, describing it as a hoax.

“Genuine labour leaders and true workers have resolved to stay indoors to mourn, in silence, the present travails of labour in our state. Let the public be rescued from this deception.

“Let it be known: tomorrow’s assembly is powered neither by the legitimate leadership of the NLC in Edo State, nor by the National Leadership of Congress. Those behind it are usurpers and hijackers of the Edo State Council of the NLC.

“History is our witness. Globally, governments and employers are not known to be the direct organizers of May Day. Yet here we are, confronted by a tense government circular dated April 22, 2026: mandating compulsory attendance for all civil and public servants; deploying state-funded buses to ferry workers from every corner of the state; and issuing veiled threats of sanction against defaulters. But civil and public servants are not the only workers. May Day belongs to all who labour.

“We do not reject government support for a successful May Day. But we must condemn, in the strongest terms, the open takeover of its organization. This is not assistance, it is interference. It is a violent intrusion into the affairs of the trade union movement in Edo State. It is the very undue meddling that this Caretaker Committee has sworn to defeat.

“Yes, over-politicization has brought the Edo NLC to its knees. But not beyond redemption. This Caretaker Committee, the legitimate leadership of the State Council, has been misrepresented, despite our unwavering commitment to permanently resolve this crisis. Tragically, the same actors who drove Edo NLC into a coma now hide beneath the cover of government, resisting every peaceful path to resolution.

“To the teeming workers of Edo State, we give this assurance: The illegitimate reign of labour aristocrats is a passing phase. Let us not grow weary. Let us pursue, by peaceful means, the return of the Edo NLC to its rightful custodians, to legitimate leaders, and to the mainstream of the labour movement in Nigeria.

“Despite today’s bitter taste of a counterfeit May Day, we call on all genuine workers and comrades: Unite. In the true spirit of comradeship, let us cast these reactionary forces aside. Let us forge a collective resistance against the hijack of labour by political warlords. Until this task is done, the glorious solidarity song of May Day cannot be sung in truth.

“NLacnlcnnNnEdo nnaaLCState resounds with pride in the annals of Nigeria’s labour movement. For this soil gave birth to the fearless, the rugged, the anti-imperialist, the very enigma of labour struggle in our nation: Pa Michael Imoudu. More than that, Edo State remains, to this day, a hotbed of labour and union activism in Nigeria. Why? Because this land has raised radicals. Anti-capitalist titans. Men of ideology, of principle, of uncompromising struggle. Extraordinary comrades. Illustrious sons of Edo: Festus Iyayi, Peter Ozo-Eson — both now of blessed memory. Edo State also stands tall by the record of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who gave his all to the labour movement as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress. He fought. He bled. He led.

“But hear us, comrades: the legacy of these giants stands in stark opposition to the labour climate we witness in Edo State today. Let us speak truth: Pa Imoudu would not sanction it. Festus Iyayi would not recognize it. Peter Ozo-Eson would not sit in silence. They would not; they could not reckon with tomorrow’s gathering masquerading in the name of Workers’ Day. Their spirit rejects it. Their memory rebukes it.

“Therefore, we must be urgently guided by the enviable feats of our past labour heroes. We must return to the path they carved. We must do those things, and only those things that will restore our collective freedom and reclaim our independence as organized workers, and as trade unions in Edo State.

“The standard has been set. The ancestors have spoken. Shall we rise to their measure, or shall we betray their sacrifice?” Igbafen concluded.

Recording artiste, I. Uk has released a brand new awareness song on Nigeria’s Emergency Number, 112, marking the launch of his group’s advocacy campaign called “112CultureNigeria”, designed to support awareness efforts on the existence and life-saving benefits of the 112 emergency number, as well as inculcate the usage of the 112 as a culture in the Nigerian society.

The advocacy song by I. Uk indeed bears a well-crafted life-saving information, with the lyrics, rhythm and beat delivering the message so perfectly. Hence, those who may find themselves in distress or emergency situations like insecurity/violence, fire outbreak, accident, or health emergency, should remember to call the 112, of which emergency responders like the Police, Fire Fighters/Trucks, Ambulance, Road Safety etc. are dispatched to swiftly rescue them or salvage the situation.

“Music is one of the proven best ways to keep indelible memory of anything, that is why a normal human being will never forget the lyrics of some songs in their entire life”, he said. Consequently, delivering a message via good music, strategically gets it to stick.

112 is Nigeria’s version of the American 911 emergency response system, which has for decades proven to save lives and properties.

The Tinubu government has expanded and built more Emergency Communication Centres(ECC) across Nigeria, while boosting the capabilities of emergency response agencies like the Police. And experts believe it will be a game-changer in Nigeria’s security and safety system by the time Nigeria fully embraces this life-saving emergency response system.

I. Uk, a former President of Mass Communication Students’ Association at Lagos State University of Science and Technology, is also known for using his music/songs for various advocacy purposes, which is quite commendable.

The singer, who has in the past weeks released three singles on major digital streaming platforms worldwide like Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, Pandora, Alibaba Soundcloud, AudioMack, 7Digital, Trebel etc., is currently working on his debut album scheduled for release later this year.

The musician, who is also a co-founder of the advocacy group 112CultureNigeria, mentioned that the National Orientation Agency(N.O.A.) also has a big national awareness campaign plan on the 112 Emergency Number and noted that the N.O.A. is free to use this new 112culture song for that, signalling a potential partnership.

This humanitarian gesture by I. Uk is worthy of emulation, especially by other creatives who could use their talents, skills and resources to make positive impacts in the society.

The 112Culture emergency number awareness song can be found on all I. Uk’s social media platforms, including Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok etc. with his handle I. Uk@officialiuk

By Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON

The political season is upon us again, and with it comes the familiar fever of democracy. Across our wards and local governments, across party offices and private homes, consultations have begun. Aspirants are making calls, elders are receiving visits, supporters are counting delegates, and the marketplace of ambition is alive once more.

This is proof that our democracy still breathes. It is evidence that power in our republic is still something to be negotiated, contested, persuaded, and earned. But every season of politics also comes with its temptations. It comes with the temptation to mistake disagreement for betrayal, competition for enmity, preference for exclusion, and media interpretation for truth.

This is why, at this delicate hour, we must speak to ourselves with candour, but also with restraint. We must remind ourselves that a political party is not a battlefield. It is a family. And even in the most spirited family, the roof must never be pulled down because one room appears warmer than another.

We are members of one political household. We may have different aspirations, different loyalists, different zones of influence, different calculations, and different preferred outcomes. That is normal. Democracy was never designed to abolish ambition. It was designed to civilise it. It was designed to teach us that we can compete without destroying one another, disagree without demonising one another, and lose without setting fire to the very platform that gave us a voice.

We must therefore refuse the temptation to be manipulated by the media, by mischief-makers, by vested interests, or by those who profit from division. There will always be those who whisper that one leader has been slighted, that one bloc has been excluded, or that one interest has been buried. These are familiar tricks in the theatre of politics. They are meant to provoke suspicion, inflame supporters, and turn comrades into adversaries before the real contest even begins.

But leadership demands that we rise above provocation. Leadership demands that we ask: who benefits when brothers fight? Who gains when a party weakens itself before facing the opposition? Who profits when those who should be building bridges begin to dig trenches?

The truth is simple. The real challenge before us does not end with the primaries. In fact, it begins after the primaries. The primaries will produce candidates, but the general election will test the strength of our unity. A fractured party may produce a candidate, but only a united party can produce victory. A ticket may be won in a hall, but an election is won in the streets, in the villages, in the markets, in the polling units, and in the hearts of the people.

This is why every party chieftain, every aspirant, every stakeholder, every delegate, and every supporter matters. Each of us is a raindrop, and each raindrop matters in the making of a flood. No raindrop is too small to be ignored. No stakeholder is too insignificant to be respected. No supporter is too ordinary to be heard. The strength of a party is not only in its most visible leaders; it is in the quiet loyalty of the people who stand by it when the applause has faded.

For this reason, moderation must be our watchword. Moderation is not weakness. It is wisdom in public conduct. It is the discipline to speak without poisoning the well. It is the maturity to pursue an interest without injuring the family. It is the grace to understand that today’s disappointment may become tomorrow’s opportunity, and that the bridge we burn in anger may be the road we need in another season.

We cannot all win at the same time. This is the first hard lesson of politics. For every ticket, only one candidate will emerge. Many will consult. Many will spend. Many will hope. Many will be encouraged by supporters, friends, and elders. But at the end of the process, only one name will be submitted. That outcome, however painful to others, is not always an injustice. It is often the unavoidable arithmetic of democracy.

The true test of a politician is not how loudly he campaigns when the wind is behind him. The true test is how he behaves when the wind turns against him. Anyone can celebrate victory. It takes character to manage disappointment. It takes statesmanship to congratulate a rival. It takes patriotism to remain loyal to the house even when the room assigned to you is not the one you desired.

We must also be honest with ourselves. Endorsements are not strange to politics. Preferences are not crimes. Leaders, elders, and stakeholders will naturally have opinions about those they believe can consolidate achievements, protect party interests, and advance the public good. But preference must never become provocation. Influence must never become intimidation. Persuasion must never become exclusion. The credibility of our process is the foundation of our legitimacy.

Party leaders must therefore act with fairness. Aspirants must be treated with dignity. Delegates must be allowed to act without fear. Processes must be transparent enough to command respect, even from those who lose. Where there are grievances, they must be addressed with patience and justice. Where there are rumours, they must be answered with clarity. Where there are wounds, they must be healed before they become infections.

But aspirants and their supporters also owe the party a duty of restraint. No ambition is worth the destruction of the platform that nurtured it. No grievance is worth the collapse of the house we all helped to build. No ticket is worth turning comrades into enemies. No loss is final enough to justify permanent bitterness.

Politics is a long road. Those who understand this do not burn their vehicles because of one rough turn. They do not abandon the journey because one gate did not open. Our history is filled with men and women who lost today and won tomorrow, who were overlooked in one season and became indispensable in another, who endured the pain of temporary defeat and later found the door of destiny opened wider than they imagined.

That is the beauty of patience. That is the wisdom of loyalty. That is the reward of staying useful.

We must also remember that the people are watching us. Nigerians are not merely listening to our speeches; they are studying our temperament. They are watching how we manage disagreement. They are watching whether we place service above ego. They are watching whether we can subordinate personal ambition to collective survival. A leader who cannot manage disappointment cannot be trusted to manage power. A politician who destroys his party because he lost a ticket may destroy a state because he lost an argument.

Our great party must not become a victim of its own strength. We are a large family, and large families must learn the art of accommodation. We are a party of many tendencies, many histories, many interests, and many sacrifices. That diversity is not a curse. It is our capital. But it must be managed with humility, fairness, and discipline.

We must not allow outsiders to narrate us into conflict. We must not allow headlines to dictate our emotions. We must not allow commentators, who will not stand with us in the rain, to push us into quarrels that will weaken us in the sun. The media has its place, and public scrutiny is part of democracy. But we must have the wisdom to separate honest analysis from engineered mischief.

At this moment, what our party needs is not noise but steadiness. Not suspicion but conversation. Not bitterness but maturity. Not factional triumphalism but collective responsibility. Every leader must lower the temperature. Every aspirant must discipline his camp. Every supporter must remember that today’s opponent in a primary may be tomorrow’s ally in a general election.

We have a larger duty to our nation. Politics is not an end in itself. It is a vehicle for service. It is the means through which we deliver security, education, jobs, infrastructure, prosperity, justice, and dignity to our people. If we reduce politics to personal entitlement, we betray the people whose mandate we seek. If we turn primaries into wars of ego, we abandon the very citizens who expect governance from us.

His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has shown, through a long political journey, that democracy thrives on accommodation, persuasion, resilience, and coalition-building. That example must guide us. The strength of a party is not in the absence of disagreements, but in its capacity to resolve them without losing its soul.

So, I appeal to our leaders: let us be fair. I appeal to our aspirants: let us be patient. I appeal to our supporters: let us be disciplined. I appeal to our party faithful: let us be united. The roof over this house shelters all of us. If we pull it down in anger, nobody will be spared by the storm.

Contest, but do not destroy. Disagree, but do not defame. Aspire, but do not divide. Lose, if it happens, with dignity. Win, if it happens, with humility. And after the primaries, let us close ranks, because the real battle will not be among ourselves. The real task will be to go before Nigerians with one voice, one purpose, and one renewed covenant of service.

Each of us is a raindrop. Alone, we may appear small. Together, we can become the flood that carries our party to victory and our country towards greater hope.

Let us therefore protect the house. Let us preserve the family. Let us choose moderation over mischief, unity over suspicion, and service over ego.

We will all have our season, but only if the house still stands.By Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON.Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has opened up on his concerns about retirement, revealing that he hopes to retire at the perfect time.

The global star, while speaking in a now viral video, explained that people often struggle emotionally after reaching a certain level of success and the attention fades. He noted that instead of forcing relevance, he would like to retire from making music at the time appointed for him by God.

“If there was one thing I could build, I would build a centre for people that have been popular and very successful before, a centre for them to have therapy, because it’s crazy being on top of the world and the next moment you’re not. Even with soccer, with football, you win all these awards, you win a Champions League, you win World Cup, and people don’t still feel like it’s enough. Like look at Ronaldo, he’s my very good friend. When he left the World Cup, I remember being on the internet, I’m like, they were abusing him so much, after everything he has done,” he stated.

Davido noted that forcing relevance could affect all that he has built, adding that is one thing he is afraid of.

“Do you understand? So like, that’s my greatest fear. I work too hard for me to come and spoil it with something, so I always ask God, like, God, just tell me the right time to, you know? But I think that’s the only thing I’m scared of,” he added.

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that it is taking over the leadership of the party following the nullification of the party’s November 2025 Convention by Supreme Court

The apex court had in a ruling on Thursday nullified the convention conducted by a faction of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The nullified National Convention of the PDP produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Party.

The apex court also upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Secretary, National Organizing Secretary and National Legal Adviser respectively from the Party by the party.

This apex court judgement, the PDP BoT said has left the party leaderless, thus necessitating its stepping in.

“It is with the utmost sense of duty and responsibility that the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assumes leadership of our great party today, Thursday, 30th April, 2026 pursuant to the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017),” Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman, PDP BoT said in a statement on Thursday evening.

immediately assumes responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP as immediate constitutional remedial steps to foster genuine reconciliation, salvage, stabilize and return the party to good political health.

The PDP BoT said as part of its interventions, it will convene and emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), pursuant to the provisions of Section 31 of the Constitution of the PDP to, among other things, appoint an Interim National Working Committee to take charge of the National Secretariat of the Party.

According to the BoT, the Interim National Working Committee will pilot the affairs of the Party at the national level so as to meet all the timeline in the Electoral Act, 2026.

This, it added will ensure that the PDP fields candidates and also emerged victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

The statement by the PDP BoT partly reads: “This constitutional intervention of the BoT is so as not to allow any leadership vacuum at the national level of our party following judgment of the Supreme Court.

“Sadly, the Supreme Court, today delivered an unpleasant judgment against our party in which it pronounced an invalidation of the 15th to 16th November 2025 National Convention of the PDP held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of our Party.

“While the Supreme Court invalidated the Ibadan Convention, it also in a unanimous decision of the five justices on the panel, upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Secretary, National Organizing Secretary and National Legal Adviser respectively from the Party.

“The implication of today’s judgment by the Supreme Court is that all actions taken by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature and Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the composition of the National Caretaker Working Committee and the conduct and outcome of the March 29th, 2026 Convention in Abuja are illegal, null and ab initio void.

“The consequential invalidation of both the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led as well as the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Working Committees directly places the statutory onus of leadership of our great party on the shoulders of the Board of Trustees (BoT) as the Second Highest Organ of the Party, pursuant to the express and unambiguous provision of Section 32 (5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“Against this backdrop, the BoT hereby immediately assumes responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP as immediate constitutional remedial steps to foster genuine reconciliation, salvage, stabilize and return the party to good political health.

“In the light of the foregoing an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), pursuant to the provisions of Section 31 of the Constitution of the PDP will be summoned to, among other things, appoint an Interim National Working Committee to take charge of the National Secretariat of our Party and pilot the affairs of the Party at the national level so as to meet all the timeline in the Electoral Act, 2026 and ensure that the PDP fields candidates and also emerged victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

“Consequently, all staff of the PDP are hereby directed to resume at the National Secretariat of the Party under the leadership of the BoT ahead of the appointment of the Interim National Working Committee.

“The BoT commends the courage, effort and resilience of our governors, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Assembly caucus, the National Ex-officios, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and State chapters, the Youth and Women Wings and other organs and bodies in the PDP for standing strong for the party at this trying time.

“The BoT therefore calls on all leaders and members of the party to jettison all personal and group interests and come together as one family in the overall interest of our Party, democracy and the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians whose hope are anchored on the PDP.

“The PDP has suffered enough; the painful victims of this unfortunate episode is the Nigerian people. The time has therefore come for us to make sacrifices, sheathe our swords and embrace genuine reconciliations for lasting peace and chart a new course for our party.”

Electricity supply across Lagos has come under severe strain following a sudden shutdown at the Egbin Power Station and a simultaneous fault on a major transmission line, the Nigerian Independent System Operator has said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the operator warned that the twin disruptions could trigger an extended blackout in the state, which remains Nigeria’s largest electricity market.

According to the agency, the incident began late on April 28 when Egbin Power Station suffered a major technical failure that forced a complete halt in generation. Output reportedly plunged from about 641 megawatts to zero within minutes.

“The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to inform the general public of a significant reduction in power generation currently affecting electricity supply across the country, particularly within the Lagos region.

“Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.

“At approximately 8:21 p.m. on April 28, 2026, Egbin Power Station recorded a total loss of generation, dropping from about 641MW to zero output.

“This incident was caused by the failure of the plant’s central compressor, in addition to a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, which necessitated an immediate shutdown of all generating units to safeguard the facility.

‘The disruption has also sparked unconfirmed reports of a fatal incident involving a contractor, although officials have yet to verify the claim or provide further details.

“The situation has been aggravated by a separate fault on the Osogbo to Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, a key route for delivering electricity into Lagos. The operator said the outage has limited the ability to move available power into the city.

“Power supply to the Lagos region is currently further restricted due to the forced outage of the OsogboIkeja West 330kV transmission line, thereby limiting the evacuation of available generation into the Lagos load centre,” the statement added

With both generation and transmission affected, authorities have begun rationing electricity to stabilise the grid and prevent a wider collapse.

“Consequently, this loss of generation has created a significant supply shortfall, necessitating immediate load-shedding measures to maintain grid stability and prevent a wider system disturbance.”Emergency measures are already in place, including redistributing available electricity among distribution companies and prioritising supply to critical infrastructure.

“System operators have since deployed contingency measures, including the reallocation of available load across distribution companies, with priority given to critical national infrastructure.”In addition, efforts are ongoing to optimise generation from other available power plants to mitigate the impact of this development on electricity consumers.”

The operator apologised to affected customers, especially residents of Lagos and nearby areas where outages have been most severe.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience this situation has caused electricity consumers, especially within Lagos and surrounding areas, and we assure the public that all relevant stakeholders are working closely to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

Egbin Power Station, located in Ikorodu, is the largest thermal plant connected to the national grid, with an installed capacity exceeding 1,300 megawatts.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has set the price of aviation fuel (jet fuel) at 1,820 per litre at its depot.

The company says this is to make pricing more open and transparent in the market.

This comes as airline operators continue to complain about the high cost of jet fuel, which is affecting the aviation industry in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had earlier suggested that jet fuel should sell between 1,760 and 1,988 per litre in Lagos, and about 2,037 per litre in Abuja, based on market conditions.

However, many oil marketers are still selling the product to airlines at around 2,230 per litre or even higher.

Market reports show that airlines are still paying above the government’s suggested price range, despite ongoing discussions between regulators and industry stakeholders.

An expert, Olatide Jeremiah, said there is poor transparency in jet fuel pricing. He urged the Dangote Refinery to publish its daily prices so that middlemen do not inflate costs and make fuel more expensive for airlines.

A spokesperson for United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, said the aviation fuel market is not strictly controlled. He explained that while the regulator gives price guidance, marketers still set their own prices.

He also said the rising cost of fuel is seriously affecting airline operations. For example, fuel costs for some airlines increased from about 2.9 million in January to 7.6 million per flight operation. For larger aircraft, the cost is even higher.

ActionAid Nigeria says it has equipped over 135,000 smallholder farmers and youths, mostly women, with skills to adopt climate-resilient farming practices across several states.

The Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the intervention was implemented through the Strategic Partnerships for Agroecology and Climate Justice in West Africa (SPAC) project to promote agroecology and strengthen inclusive food systems.

Mamedu spoke at a national town hall meeting on “Land Use Act and Alternative Frameworks for Access and Control over Land for Smallholder Women Farmers and Young People in Agroecology” in Abuja.

He emphasised that land remains central to agroecology, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods, describing it as more than just a productive asset.

According to him, the organisation has also recorded progress in supporting farmers to access and control land through community and institutional engagement.

He cited several examples, including the allocation of three hectares of land to Ojoloro Agbe Farmers’ Cooperative in Ugbe community, Akoko North-East Local Government Area, by community leaders.

Mamedu added that three hectares were earlier allocated in Ibusa, Delta, by the state Ministry of Agriculture for the establishment of an agroecology model farm, while one hectare was provided in 2026 to Oke-Agbe/Irun Farmers Group in Akoko North-West Local Government Area by the traditional ruler.

He further said 17 hectares had been committed for allocation to farmers across Dutse, Kiyawa and Miga LGAs in Jigawa, alongside 1.2 hectares donated by Dutse Local Government Council in 2025.

“In the same year, two acres of land were allocated to a smallholder woman farmer in Akunnara community in Ondo West Local Government Area, while over 44 acres were accessed by women farmers across Delta State through community engagement,” he said.

He noted that the achievements demonstrated the impact of collaboration among communities, traditional institutions and government actors, but stressed that systemic barriers still limit equitable access to land; especially for women and young people.

Mamedu identified key challenges, including competing land use for residential and commercial purposes, poor infrastructure, and long distances to farmlands.

“These realities show that land access and control are structural issues requiring deliberate policy and institutional reforms,” he said.

He added that the Land Use Act, though designed to regulate land administration, has limitations in ensuring equitable access and tenure security due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, weak enforcement and socio-cultural constraints.

Mamedu said the meeting provided a platform to bridge gaps between evidence, policy and practice, particularly in addressing climate shocks, land degradation and rising food insecurity affecting vulnerable farmers.

He stressed that without secure land access, integrating economic trees and achieving sustainable income through agroecology would remain difficult, thereby constraining rural economic growth.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, said access to land remained a major challenge for millions of Nigerians, particularly women and youth.

Represented by Mr Tanimu Ibrahim, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Ogunbiyi noted that structural, legal and socio-cultural barriers continue to undermine agricultural productivity and inclusive economic growth.

He said the Land Use Act of 1978 has generated concerns over equity, tenure security and accessibility, especially for women and young people.

According to him, the town hall meeting offers an opportunity to examine alternative frameworks that can promote inclusive and gender-responsive land governance.

He described agroecology as a pathway that aligns agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, climate adaptation and social inclusion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together representatives of government institutions, development partners, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, farmer groups, women, youth networks, and the private sector.

NAN

The Lagos State Government on Thursday launched its Industrial Policy 20252030, a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the state into a leading manufacturing hub in Africa while driving investment, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Governor He noted that evolving supply chains, technological advancements and increasing demand for efficiency and innovation require bold policy direction to secure future competitiveness.

According to the governor, the policy is aligned with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, both of which envision a globally competitive megacity driven by productivity, innovation and industrial excellence.

He added that the government plans to expand industrial clusters, improve port efficiency–particularly through the Lekki Deep Sea Port and strengthen transport systems to reduce logistics costs and enhance productivity.

The governor also said the policy would support small and medium-scale enterprises to scale operations and integrate into regional and global value chains, while leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

A representative of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment described the policy as a practical model that aligns with Nigeria’s national industrial agenda, particularly in promoting job creation and poverty reduction.

Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, characterised the initiative as a commitment between the government and residents, urging investors, financial institutions, academia and the diaspora to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

She said Lagos remains a high-yield industrial destination and called for stronger collaboration to translate policy into measurable economic outcomes.

A leadership educator with a growing international profile, Peter Adeleke, has been nominated in the Education category of the Calgary Awards, one of Canada’s most respected civic honours.

The 2026 edition of the awards recognises individuals whose work is shaping communities through meaningful and sustained contributions. Adeleke is listed among eight nominees in the education category, each representing diverse approaches to learning and development across the city.

Adeleke’s nomination reflects his growing influence as a leadership educator whose work spans community spaces, academic institutions and international platforms.

Known for his practical teaching style, he focuses on equipping learners with essential skills such as communication, decision-making and personal development.

He has consistently advocated for leadership to be taught as a structured discipline, comparable to subjects like mathematics, science and the arts.

According to him, embedding leadership education into formal curricula could better prepare individuals for real-world challenges and societal impact.

His global recognition gained momentum following his achievement of a Guinness World Record for the longest leadership lesson, a marathon session that attracted participants from multiple countries.

However, observers note that his current nomination reflects more than a single milestone, highlighting instead the consistency of his work and the breadth of his reach over time.

Established in 1994, the Calgary Awards represent the highest level of civic recognition in the city, celebrating individuals whose contributions have made a lasting difference.

Being shortlisted is widely regarded as a strong endorsement of impact and service.

For Adeleke, the nomination signals a broader shift in how leadership education is perceived globally. His teachings have also been compiled into a book structured as a practical curriculum for schools and higher institutions, further extending his influence within the education sector.