Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The daughters of the late Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have declared support for Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 election in Ogun State.

Lima and Kira Ogogo made their stance known on Saturday during a community clean-up exercise in Abeokuta, organised by the Gen Z for Yayi support group.

The exercise, with participants in branded T-shirts, was promoted on social media with the caption: ‘EGBA YAYI Outside with purpose, One community at a time. ABEOKUTA Today’.

In a video shared by Gen Z for Yayi on Instagram, Lima said the initiative aimed to move young people from complaining about government to taking responsibility for their communities.

‘As Gen Zs, we’re used to complaining about what our government is doing for us. But the question should be, what are we doing for the place we call home?’ she said.

She added that the clean-up was also a demonstration of support for the APC governorship hopeful.

‘So we’re here to show our support to Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi. This is all of us coming here to show our support, see our community, and be the change ourselves. Yayi ni joor,’ she said.

Her sister, Kira, also pledged support in a separate video from the exercise.

‘My name is Shakirat Olawunmi Taiwo Omokulodo. So this is our own way of showing support to the incoming governor of Ogun State, Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi,’ she stated.

Their endorsement comes weeks after the death of their father, a prominent Yoruba film icon and native of Ilaro, Ogun State.

During a condolence visit to the family in Ilaro, Senator Adeola said he planned to appoint the late actor as Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture with cabinet rank if elected governor in 2027.

‘I told God that if it is destined for me to be governor, my elder brother Ogogo will be my Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture. My plan was that he would be a Special Adviser, that is, a cabinet member,’ Yayi said at the time.

He described Ogogo as an elder brother whose acting experience and deep knowledge of traditional culture informed the planned appointment.

Following Ogogo’s death on August 23, 2026, at age 66, some quarters have called on Yayi to consider one of his daughters for the role originally intended for their father, should he win the election.

Ogogo’s death drew tributes from political leaders and stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

A clean-energy company, Energy Ventures B.V., has secured the Federal Government’s support to harness flared gas in the Niger Delta to provide electricity to over 80,000 homes and business units in the region.

Speaking during a media briefing held in Abuja, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Ventures B.V., Herbert Okibe acknowledged the support of the government in ensuring the project succeeds.

Also at the briefing were its Chief Financial Officer, Gobert Rieteme and Chief Commercial Officer, Yvonne Wierik-Chioke.

Okibe said the Energy Ventures B.V. entourage met with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Minister of Power and other agencies in Abuja. The project idea, he said, was well received by the ministry and agencies, with a promise to support its execution.

He disclosed that the project, which has already conducted a pilot in the Abada oil field, will be providing energy to approximately 80,000 connections, which translates to roughly half a million individuals in the region.

He said the scheme will also be mitigating over 60 years of pollution caused by gas flaring in the Niger Delta by converting wasted gas into power.

‘The project will utilise modularised ‘flare out’ units designed by FB Group in the Netherlands. These units will be digitally connected to allow Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to perform remote diagnostics and root cause analysis on gas engines,’ he said.

On smart metering, Okibe said the team would embark on a smart metering solution designed to prevent tampering and provide transparent usage data via a mobile app.

Despite historical violence in the Niger Delta, he reported high levels of cooperation through extensive customer enumeration and engagement with local chiefs and electricity committees.

Okibe said the company adopted critical measures that include high-quality fencing and armed security supported by Nigerian authorities to secure its equipment in the region.

He acknowledged that the government has put in place a conducive environment for such projects to happen.

For instance, he clarified that the power regulations law has now made it possible for states to have their own generation and regulation of electricity.

Such guidance provided by the regulators, he said, opened ongoing discourse to provide electricity to people, and opportunity for franchise arrangements with third parties to happen.

Also speaking, Wierik-Chioke said access to energy is one of the major things that enable economies to thrive, provide better quality of life for the people and take away pollution that gas flaring has promoted for the past 60 years.

She said: ‘Once you’re able to have access to clean, reliable energy, it means that you can build and grow your business. You can plan better by simply having access to electricity. But we also understand that it will take time to fully achieve that result.’

According to her, the project aims to provide reliable energy to approximately 80,000 households in the immediate coverage area.

‘Successful implementation serves as a pilot to potentially unlock energy from over 100 other flare sites across Nigeria. Beyond direct energy supply, the project seeks to reduce pollution caused by decades of gas flaring in the Niger Delta,’ she said.

Continuing, Okibe clarified that while they cannot solve Nigeria’s total power deficit, the project will improve quality of life for local businesses, schools, and hospitals.

‘Engagement with community leaders, youths, and local government chairmen has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Security measures include high-quality fencing and armed security supported by Nigerian authorities to protect assets. We emphasise a ‘win-win’ approach by involving local electricity committees in the operational process,’ he said.

Okibe said: ‘We brought both stakeholders up to speed on what we were trying to do. Their teams were listening very attentively to us, and asked some very good questions. They gave some very good suggestions, and also asked us how they could be of support’

‘For us, we thought bringing them along as a key stakeholder was essential, but also there were roles that they could play in helping us. For example, with the electricity metering system we’re trying to put in place, they could link us to the presidential metering initiative. So, that was positive, and we believe that we will have many more of such conversations,’ he stated.

‘And also, the honourable minister was quite helpful in guiding us in areas where he thought we had not done enough coverage. So, for example, engaging with NNPC or other government regulatory agencies, and that was well received,’ he added.

‘The benefit for Nigeria as a whole is, of course, when you take away the customers in the Niger Delta who we can supply, then whatever is left of the power supply in Nigeria can be better distributed to the rest of the country. So there’s going to be benefits for everybody. Directly, we’re looking at 100,000 homes. Indirectly, I think all Nigerians will benefit,’ he said.

Renowned security expert, Chief Owolabi Ajayi, has backed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the Ogun State governorship in 2027, citing his legislative experience, knowledge of public finance and record of representation.

He spoke against the backdrop of the controversy over Yayi’s indigene status and eligibility to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

The Chairman of Mainforce International said Adeola’s progression from the Lagos State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives and Senate had given him broad exposure to lawmaking, budgeting, oversight and public administration.

Ajayi described Adeola’s legislative experience as a major part of his credentials, noting his service at different levels of the legislature and his understanding of public finance.

Adeola served in the Lagos State House of Assembly before moving to the House of Representatives and Senate. He has represented Ogun West in the Senate since 2023, after serving as senator for Lagos West from 2015 to 2023.

According to him, Senator Yayi previously chaired the House Committee on Public Accounts and later served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Ajayi also commended Adeola’s professional background as a chartered accountant, saying his experience in budgeting, financial oversight and legislative affairs would be relevant to the administration of Ogun State, particularly given its expanding industrial and commercial base.

On the indigeneship controversy, Ajayi argued that Adeola’s previous representation of Lagos constituencies should be viewed within the context of his political career and should not, by itself, be used to question his connection to Ogun State.

Some of Adeola’s opponents have questioned his claim to Ogun ancestry, while the senator has challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence to substantiate them.

Ajayi pointed to Adeola’s current representation of Ogun West, as well as his engagement with the senatorial district, as part of the senator’s political connection to the state.

He also commended what he described as Adeola’s constituency interventions in infrastructure, education, empowerment and community development.

According to Ajayi, Adeola’s years in the National Assembly had exposed him to the policy, budgetary and developmental issues that would be central to governing Ogun State.

He said the 2027 governorship debate should extend beyond questions of political origin to include the candidates’ experience, records, capacity and understanding of the state’s developmental priorities.

Adeola’s campaign platform has identified infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment, agriculture and security among its stated priorities.

Ajayi urged Ogun residents and other stakeholders to examine the issues on their merits, stressing that his support for Adeola was based on his assessment of the senator’s experience, legislative record and capacity for public service.

He described Ogun as an important industrial and economic centre, adding that effective management of public finance, infrastructure and investment would be critical to the state’s continued development.

Ajayi’s endorsement adds to the public backing for Adeola, who has secured the APC’s nomination for the 2027 governorship election.

Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has said Nigeria needs continuity in the ongoing reform programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the country cannot afford to abandon the process of economic and institutional reforms midway.

Dafinone spoke on Saturday at the Okpe Youth Council (OYC) World Youth Conference 2026, held at Edion Hall, Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, where he also received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the leadership of the council in recognition of his service and leadership.

Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the conference, the senator said the Tinubu administration had embarked on far-reaching reforms within its first three years and should be allowed to consolidate the process.

‘The roadmap for development is very clear. Equally, at the national level, our President has executed an enormous amount of reforms, given his just three years in office,’ Dafinone said.

‘I want to believe that the reform process is still on, and he has many more reforms to go. Our country needs to be fixed.

‘A possibility of a new team coming on board that will start from scratch again is not what Nigeria needs. We need a tried and tested President, with his tried and tested team, in order to fix Nigeria and get us on the right track,’ he added.

The senator, who served as Chairman of the conference themed, ‘Okpe Youths and the 21st Century Challenges,’ also challenged young Nigerians to prepare themselves for the rapidly changing global economy by acquiring digital, entrepreneurial and practical skills, with particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence.

Dafinone described AI as an increasingly important tool across professions and urged young people not to be left behind by technological changes reshaping the workplace and global economy.

‘AI today already is an essential tool in every profession. Nobody should say that they don’t understand AI. Decision-making for everybody should require you to have a little bit of AI input to know a hundred percent of the facts on ground,’ he said.

‘The world is changing very quickly, and our young ones must change with it. If, at my age, I’m studying AI, I don’t know why any young person should not also pick it up and become a master in it.

‘No decision will be made by any individual within five years without AI input. That is how serious it is,’ Dafinone added.

He said rising unemployment and changes in the global workplace had made it necessary for young people to look beyond conventional white-collar employment and develop skills capable of creating alternative sources of livelihood.

According to him, graduates should identify their talents, hobbies and practical abilities and explore opportunities to transform them into viable businesses rather than depending solely on jobs related to their university qualifications.

Dafinone noted that obtaining a university degree should not confine a graduate to a particular profession, citing former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who trained as a medical doctor before moving into banking and later public service, where he served as Governor of Kwara State, Senator and President of the Senate.

Using the preparation of business feasibility studies as an example, Dafinone said technology had substantially reduced some of the barriers previously faced by prospective entrepreneurs, stressing that young people must learn how to access, understand and productively apply available information.

He noted that automation and technological advancement were already transforming manufacturing and other sectors, making continuous learning, creativity and adaptability increasingly important for anyone seeking to remain competitive.

The Delta Central lawmaker therefore urged Okpe youths to take advantage of learning opportunities available online to acquire digital, entrepreneurial and other relevant skills that would position them for emerging opportunities.

Dafinone commended the leadership of the Okpe Youth Council for organising the conference and creating a platform to discuss challenges facing young people in the 21st century, while urging participants to translate the lessons from the gathering into practical steps towards personal and community development.

Earlier, the leadership of OYC, led by its National President, Comrade Moses Newcome Odiete, honoured Senator Dafinone with a distinguished service award for his outstanding leadership in the Senate and support for Okpe and Urhobo youths.

The woes of Italy have continued after they fell 2-0 at home to Belgium in coach Roberto Mancini’s comeback game and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma got into a fight with Romelu Lukaku.

In 2021, Roberto Mancini led Italy to European Championship gold.

Things went downhill for the nation after that. ‘Gli Azzurri’ missed out on the 2022 World Cup under Mancini, before he resigned to take over at Saudi Arabia.

In Euro 2024, they were eliminated in the round of 16, before failing to qualify for another World Cup (2026) with Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso respectively on the coaching bench.

On Friday night, Mancini was back, when Italy hosted Belgium in the Nations League at home at the Olimpico.

But it didn’t work out.

Mika Godts made it 1-0 for Belgium after 11 minutes, and then Dodi Lukebakio doubled the score a bit into the second half.

After the final whistle, there was a scuffle between Gianluigi Donnarumma and Romelu Lukaku, who were both shown yellow cards after shouting and gesticulating at each other.

With the victory, Belgium move up to the top of the group.

The group’s second opening match took place in Turkey, where France won 1-0.

The Belgians also have a new coach who made his debut on the day, former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo, on his 72nd birthday, describing his investments in education and human-capital development as significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.

The President particularly acknowledged the impact of Covenant University and Landmark University, saying the institutions established under Oyedepo’s leadership have provided platforms for academic excellence, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership development.

Tinubu, in a birthday message issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, joined the Oyedepo family, members of Living Faith Church Worldwide, the Christian community and millions of the cleric’s admirers in celebrating his life of faith, service and leadership.

The President also commended Oyedepo’s contributions to the moral and spiritual development of individuals and communities, particularly his consistent emphasis on integrity, discipline, diligence, responsibility and excellence.

He noted that the cleric’s longstanding advocacy for values that strengthen families, institutions and nations, as well as his message of hope, purpose and personal responsibility, had resonated with people across Nigeria and beyond.

Tinubu said Oyedepo’s influence had extended beyond the pulpit into education, publishing, leadership development and humanitarian service, while Living Faith Church had established a significant international presence across Africa and other parts of the world.

According to the President, over more than four decades in ministry, the bishop has emerged as a prominent Nigerian voice on faith, leadership, integrity, education and human development, with his books and teachings reaching audiences beyond Nigeria.

‘Bishop David Oyedepo has devoted decades to preaching faith, promoting integrity and encouraging excellence, while investing substantially in education and the development of human capacity.

‘His commitment to building lives, institutions and communities has given his ministry a significant national and international footprint’, Tinubu said.

The President also praised the social-development initiatives associated with Oyedepo’s ministry, including schools, healthcare facilities and humanitarian interventions, as well as the David Oyedepo Foundation’s support for education and people in need.

‘I especially salute Bishop Oyedepo for the social-development initiatives, including schools, healthcare facilities, and humanitarian interventions, associated with his ministry and the David Oyedepo Foundation’s support for education and people in need’, he said.

Tinubu prayed for continued wisdom, strength, good health and grace for the cleric as he continues his work in faith, education, morality and human development.

‘On this auspicious occasion of his 72nd birthday, I celebrate his life of service and pray that Almighty God will continue to grant him wisdom, strength, good health and renewed grace as he advances the cause of faith, education, morality and human development.

‘I wish Bishop Oyedepo many more years of fulfilment, good health and continued service to God and humanity’, the President added.

Two prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Abubakar Attajiri, a youth leader, and party chieftain Alhaji Aminu Muhammad Gidan-Kanawa, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The duo announced their defection on Saturday, months ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They attributed their decision to what they described as the achievements of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and the leadership of the APC in the state under Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

The new APC members also expressed confidence in the leadership of the party in the state, pledging to support its candidates and programmes ahead of the elections.

‘We are therefore pledging to work tirelessly to ensure the success of all APC candidates at all levels during the forthcoming polls.

‘We will also leave no stone unturned in working to ensure the success of the people-oriented policies and programmes of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other flag bearers of the APC,’ they said.

Receiving the defectors, the Sokoto State APC Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Sarkin-Gobir Adiya, accompanied by other party leaders, welcomed them into the party.

Sarkin-Gobir Adiya assured the new members that they would have equal standing with existing members of the party in the state.

He said the APC remained united in Sokoto State, adding that the party had no regrets supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and other APC candidates.

‘By the special grace of God, APC candidates will emerge victorious at all levels during the forthcoming general elections,’ he said.

More than 2,000 academics under the Jigawa State Academic Forum have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for second terms in office.

The academics announced their endorsement during an interactive session with Governor Namadi at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Dutse.

Chairman of the forum, Prof. Haruna Birniwa, said the decision followed an assessment of the achievements of the Tinubu administration at the federal level and the Namadi administration in Jigawa State.

‘Those of us here physically present, about 2,000 plus, and others who are unavoidably absent, make an unflinching support for our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Malam Umar Namadi to continue for a second term,’ Birniwa said.

During the session, Namadi highlighted the achievements of his administration in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, economic empowerment and employment under its 12-Point Agenda.

He also outlined policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, which he said had positively impacted Nigeria and Jigawa State.

Speaking with reporters after the endorsement, Namadi said the meeting was initially expected to attract about 700 academics but recorded an attendance of more than 2,000.

He said, ‘After all the presentations we made to them, they were able to appreciate what Mr President has done for Nigeria and what he has done also for Jigawa State.

‘They were very happy with what we have done and they were also happy with the President. So, at the same time, they endorsed both the President and myself for the second term.’

Namadi said the endorsement demonstrated that the academics were closely following developments in the country and assessing government performance.

He assured them that his administration would continue to improve the lives of the people and would not disappoint them.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, described the endorsement as significant and urged the academics to continue supporting programmes that improve the lives of Nigerians.

He also called for sustained improvement in the performance of both administrations over the past three years.

The Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve electricity supply to commercial districts have received a boost following a visit by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) to Elektron Energy’s 40-megawatt Victoria Island Power Plant.

The visit followed the recent issuance of an electricity generation licence to Elektron Energy as the company works towards commencing commercial operations at the facility in December 2026.

Developed in partnership with Eko Power, the Victoria Island Power (VIPL) project is designed to provide dedicated electricity to businesses in one of Lagos’ major commercial centres.

The facility is expected to provide an alternative source of power for banks, hotels, corporate headquarters and other businesses in Victoria Island that have traditionally relied heavily on diesel-powered generators to supplement inconsistent electricity supply.

During the visit, LASERC officials inspected the project site, reviewed construction progress and engaged with Elektron Energy’s engineering and operations teams on preparations for commercial operations.

The delegation was led by LASERC Chief Executive Officer, Temitope George, alongside other officials, including Adekunle Olopade and Adetunji Adesanya.

They were received by Elektron Energy’s General Manager, Operations, Nicholas Abolo-Tedi, and Director of Engineering, Oladipo Ogunniyi, as well as Mika Gummerus, Site Manager for Wärtsilä, the Finnish engineering group handling the project’s engineering, procurement and construction.

Abolo-Tedi said the project was aimed at addressing the electricity needs of businesses operating in Victoria Island.

‘We are not just building a power plant – we are building trust with the regulator and the community we intend to serve,’ he said.

‘Every milestone we hit here is a milestone toward putting an end to the power gaps that have held back businesses on Victoria Island for years.’

George said LASERC’s role was to ensure that private investment in Lagos’ electricity market translated into tangible improvements for consumers.

‘LASERC’s role is to ensure that as Lagos opens its power sector to private investment, that investment translates into real, measurable improvements for residents and businesses,’ he said.

The 40MW plant is expected to provide businesses with more reliable electricity, improve operational certainty and reduce dependence on backup generators when it becomes operational.

Elektron Energy said the project remained on course for completion and commissioning, with further engagement with regulators expected ahead of commercial operations.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has urged the people of the state to remain united, peaceful and committed to God’s service for the continued development and prosperity of the state.

Fubara made the call at an inter-denominational church service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Rebisi, Port Harcourt, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, urged Rivers people to remain committed to peace and speak with one voice in the interest of the state.

He also called on the people to pray for continued peace, unity and development, stressing that dedication to God and collective efforts remained critical to the progress of Rivers State.

Fubara prayed for God’s continued protection and blessings upon the people, expressing confidence that the state would witness greater developmental achievements.

In his sermon, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop of the Province of Niger Delta and Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country despite its challenges.

‘God is saying to Nigeria and Nigerians, I will not forget you. God has not forgotten Nigeria,’ he declared.

The Archbishop urged Nigerians to examine their character and embrace honesty, integrity and productivity, saying citizens must contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

He stressed that national development required responsible citizenship and a collective commitment to building a better Nigeria.

The service was attended by the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi; Bishop of Niger Delta North Diocese, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Ihunwo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Barr. Sunny Ewule; and other dignitaries.