Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Insurance companies have paid over N180 billion claims to restore businesses and compensate for loss of lives in the country in the first nine months of 2025.

A major chick of the claim costing N82.5 billion was paid to Brittania-U, a Nigerian indigenous petroleum company.

This marks a major feat for the nation’s insurance industry.

Brittania-U operates in the Ajapa marginal field and owns the FPSO Britannia UI, which experienced a significant fire incident in July 2024 of which its claim was filled.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Seminar for Insurance Journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Segun Omosehin said these payments were a feat and a testament that insurance companies actually pay genuine claims, as against public misunderstanding about capacity of insurance in Nigerians.

Using N1,500 to a US dollar, Omosehin disclosed that the company had earlier filled a N108 billion ($72m dollars) claims to the insurance industry, which was later adjusted to N82.5 biillion and was dispatched accordingly.

He stated that the company had earlier paid N255 million, equal to $170,000 dollar as premium to underwrite the business, a figure that underscores the relevance of risks pooling in protecting business and entities.

He, however, said the N180 billion include big-ticket payments to policyholders who encountered losses during the period, aside other pockets of smaller claims paid by insurance operators in the country.

He stressed that the commission has maintained a hardline stance on any operator who refused to pay genuine claims in the country.

Claims payment is a priority for us in the commission and we are pursuing it with all the commitments it requires, he said.

As the world braces for a looming crisis in aquaculture feed, a group of bright Nigerian students is stepping forward with a solution that could reshape the future of fish farming. Students from Adiaha Obong Secondary Comprehensive School in Akwa Ibom State have captured national attention after winning the Ibom Innovation Challenge with their groundbreaking project, the Remote Fish Farming Monitoring System.

Their achievement comes against the backdrop of a sobering report by global financial services provider Rabobank, which has raised alarm over the growing shortage of fishmeal and fish oil-two key ingredients critical to the survival of the global aquaculture industry.

According to the report, titled Hooked on Scarcity, the supply of these marine-based feed ingredients is under severe strain as demand continues to outpace natural production.

Aquaculture, already one of the fastest-growing food sectors in the world, consumes nearly 90 percent of global fishmeal and about 70 percent of fish oil.

With production of salmon, shrimp, and other aquaculture staples expected to rise by 12 million metric tonnes by 2033, Rabobank warned that scarcity could begin as early as 2028, threatening both food security and livelihoods worldwide.

Against this global challenge, the young innovators in Uyo are offering hope. Known as the ‘Adisco Great Tech Innovators,’ the team’s winning project was showcased during the Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2024, where it captured the imagination of judges and audiences alike. The Remote Fish Farming Monitoring System is designed to help fish farmers oversee and control their ponds from a distance, using digital tools to track feeding, water quality, and fish health. By reducing waste and increasing efficiency, the system has the potential to make local aquaculture more resilient and sustainable-an innovation with implications far beyond Nigeria.

‘This project is not just a student experiment. ‘It is a practical response to a real problem. The new question for the youth is not ‘what do you want to become?’ but ‘what problem do you want to solve?’ These young people have answered that question brilliantly.’ said President , Ibom Innovation Network, Engr. Hanson Johnson, the organisation behind the challenge.

The Ibom Innovation Challenge, which has become a hub for nurturing grassroots technological solutions, rewarded the students with a N250,000 cash prize to further develop their idea. In addition to the financial support, members of the Ibom Innovation Network paid a celebratory visit to the school, recognising the team’s ingenuity and reaffirming the state’s commitment to fostering innovation among young people.

The Team leader, Mfoniso Patrick described the win as a turning point in her personal and academic journey. ‘This project has sparked a new interest in the world of technology for me.We started with just an idea, and now we see that it can solve real problems faced by farmers in our community. That is exciting,’ she said.

The Principal Mrs. Theresa Paulinus praised the students for their dedication, calling the achievement a reflection of both their determination and the school’s commitment to nurturing talent. ‘This victory is a testament to what our young people can achieve when they are encouraged to think critically and work together,’ she said.

Teacher and mentor Effiom Ekpo, who guided the team, added: ‘We are very proud of them. They have shown that innovation is not limited to big cities or universities-it can come from anywhere, including a secondary school classroom in Akwa Ibom.’

The breakthrough comes at a time when Nigeria, like many countries, is grappling with how to scale up fish production to meet growing demand. The country is one of the largest aquaculture producers in sub-Saharan Africa, but farmers often face challenges ranging from high feed costs to poor pond management. Observers say the innovation has symbolic value as well. It demonstrates how local ingenuity, when given the right support, can tackle challenges of global scale. While the Rabobank report paints a grim picture of looming shortages, the success of the Adisco team suggests that part of the solution may lie in empowering local communities to innovate.

The Ibom Innovation Network is already looking ahead, encouraging more students to join the movement. Plans are underway for the next Akwa Ibom Tech Week, scheduled for November 3-8, 2025. Organizers say they expect even greater participation from schools, startups, and young inventors, further cementing the state’s reputation as a hub for technological creativity.

The Tinubu Grassroots Movement has commenced sensitisation of Lagosians on the policies and achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

At a community engagement held at Lagos Mainland Local Government and Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the group said that the exercises were not a political campaign but an effort to bridge the communication gap between government and citizens.

The Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Community Development Association (LCDA), Princess Samiat Bada, who spoke at the event, said that many residents are unaware of interventions of the current administration at both the federal and state levels to ease the pains associated with the economic reform of the Tinubu’s administration.

‘We do not want past mistakes to repeat themselves. The recurring complaints of hardship among Nigerians are being addressed, with prices of goods in the market already showing signs of reduction. Marketers are encouraged to maintain fairness and consideration in pricing’, she said.

The council boss highlighted several initiatives under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ranging from distribution of food palliatives, interest free NELFUND (Nigerian Education Loan Fund) loan, financial support for farmers, and upgraded vocational training with monthly stipend amongst others.

‘This government has been distributing food palliatives. NELFUND has been introduced to assist students whose parents are unable to afford university fees. Farmers now have access to financial assistance through designated schemes and Young people under 40 who prefer vocational skills training over formal education can enroll in government-approved programmes and receive stipends of N45,000 monthly’, she said.

The group also commended improvements in national security, noting a decline in cases of kidnapping and insurgency.

Princess Bada appreciated the community members for their participation. She lauded Yaba LCDA Chairman Emilagba Jubril’s role in coordinating the distribution of palliatives, which she said had reached several communities within Lagos Mainland.

‘We are grateful for the turnout and for the continued commitment of the leadership in ensuring that residents benefit from government interventions,’ she said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, Abiodun Yinusa, assured farmers of increased access to loans and resources via the Bank of Agriculture.

‘Everything we are doing is aimed at ensuring farmers at the grassroots are reached directly. This is why a second term is crucial, as Nigeria still requires the President’s leadership to fully actualise the Renewed Hope agenda,’ Yinusa concluded.

At Itire-Ikate LCDA, the council chairman, Oluwafemi Daniel, hailed President Tinubu as ‘a man of the people’ whose policies have instigated visible changes nationwide.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has said that the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are so fundamental that they could secure him a second term in office.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Agbese noted that while Nigerians have endured economic pains triggered by necessary reforms in other sectors, the transformation of telecoms has stood out as a clear success story that directly impacts the daily lives of millions of citizens.

He added that if the current trajectory is sustained, the telecoms sector could become President Tinubu’s most compelling re-election asset.

‘The transformation in telecoms is not cosmetic; it is foundational. When millions of Nigerians get safer, more reliable connectivity, and when our networks begin to deliver broadband that supports jobs, education and business, citizens will remember who made that possible. That is why reforms in this sector alone can merit another mandate for President Tinubu,’ Agbese said.

He noted that one of the most significant steps has been the consolidation of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage.

‘What had lingered for years under previous administrations was achieved within one year of Tinubu’s presidency, cleaning up the database of active mobile lines and strengthening national security,’ Agbese observed.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), over 153 million SIMs have now been harmonised with the NIN, a development Agbese described as ‘one of the most far-reaching exercises in Nigeria’s digital history.’

The lawmaker also pointed to the strides in broadband expansion, citing figures released by the NCC indicating a steady rise in penetration since 2023.

He maintained that improved access to high-speed internet was beginning to change the landscape of education, business and civic engagement across the country.

‘Connectivity is the new infrastructure. More people online means more economic activity, more taxation base and more resilience. This is the quiet revolution that the Tinubu administration is delivering,’ he said.

Agbese further commended the regulator for ensuring that Nigerians were now enjoying improved service delivery, with value for money and services that match the growing demands of a youthful population.

He noted that the NCC was also increasingly looking at corporate social responsibility as a necessity for communities, ensuring that telecoms investment leaves a wider impact beyond profits.

The deputy spokesperson added that the push towards 5G technology and the careful management of spectrum licensing have further underlined the government’s determination to future-proof Nigeria’s digital economy.

He stressed that the policy environment has given operators the confidence to continue investing in infrastructure despite foreign exchange pressures and a challenging macroeconomic climate.

Beyond infrastructure, he praised the Tinubu administration for listening to industry concerns about over-taxation. He recalled that proposed levies on telecom services, which would have increased the cost of calls and data for consumers, were suspended on the orders of the President.

According to him, this fiscal reprieve has kept services affordable and has allowed the sector to maintain momentum at a time when households are grappling with high living costs.

‘President Tinubu deserves credit for recognising the strategic importance of this sector and making the right calls. By removing unnecessary levies and encouraging reforms that promote investment, the government has ensured that Nigeria remains one of the fastest-growing digital markets in Africa,’ the lawmaker added.

Agbese, however, acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in extending reliable services to rural communities and ensuring that tariff adjustments do not widen the digital divide. He urged private operators to deepen investment while calling on regulators to maintain policy stability that would attract new capital.

He noted that despite these challenges, the telecoms sector offers a powerful narrative of delivery that the administration can proudly take to the Nigerian people.

‘Delivery on telecoms is tangible for ordinary Nigerians. It is visible in schools, markets and farms. It is the kind of delivery that people feel – and remember – when they go to vote,’ Agbese added.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, till October 27 for making a false claim against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore, the publisher of Saraha Reporters and serial presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was to be arraigned yesterday on a five-count charge the Department of State Services (DSS) filed against him and two others.

The two other defendants listed in the charge are: X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

At the mention of the case yesterday, lawyer to the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, averred that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and applied that the defendants’ plea be taken.

But Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, objected, stating one of the defendants – X Incorp – was not represented by either a lawyer or an official.

Abubakar claimed that his client had not been served with the charge and that X was not represented.

The defence lawyer contended that in a criminal case, it is mandatory that all the defendants are present in court for a proper arraignment to take place.

At that point, the judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, looked through the case file and confirmed that X and Meta were served with the charge electronically through their email addresses.

On noting that Sowore was yet to be served personally (as required), the prosecuting lawyer sought the court’s permission to serve Sowore (who was in court) during the proceedings, a request the judge granted.

But Sowore’s lawyer prayed for an adjournment to allow his client adequate time and opportunity to prepare for his defence, as provided for under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Justice Umar adjourned till October 27 for Sowore’s arraignment.

The Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Gobirawa Ward, Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Amadu Danfulani, yesterday defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Danfulani expressed disappointment in the Kwankwasiyya Political Movement and its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The former NNPP chieftain stated that he and thousands of his followers were not happy with what he called the anti-people’s policies and programmes of the NNPP governing the state.

Danfulani’s defection ceremony was held at the Kano State APC Headquarters on the Hotoro-Maiduguri Road.

Kano State APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas, who was represented by the party’s Zonal Chairman for Kano Central, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Ungoggo, and the Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, ‘baptised’ the Danfulani and other defectors at the event.

Other party chieftains on hand to receive the defectors included the Kano State APC Youth Leader, who doubles as the Northwest Zonal Youth Leader, Alhaji Labaran Kura; the APC Chairman in Dala Local Government, Alhaji Munir Haruna; and the Gobirawa Ward APC Chairman.

Abbas, who was represented by Alhaji Ungoggo, stated that the party’s doors were open to welcome members from all opposition parties, provided they follow the party’s procedure, rules, and regulations.

He said even Kwankwaso was free to return to APC if he followed the party’s due process and obeyed the party’s laws, constitution, and principles.

He stressed that ‘Gobirawa, being the largest ward in the state and Nigeria, with the highest number of polling units, the defection of Danfulani and thousands of NNPP members to APC was a plus for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election’.

Danfulani said he was happy to join the APC, promising to work with Bichi and other party executives to ensure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates at the 2027 polls.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed as false claims of persecution against Christians in Nigeria.

‘They are lying that we have religious persecution and differences. They lie all over the place that we have religious persecution.” Tinubu said at the presentation of a book authored by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, in Owerri.

The event, held at the Emmanuel Iwanyanwu International Conference Centre, which is one of the three newly completed projects earlier inaugurated by the President.

The launch of the book titled ‘A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria’ drew political heavyweights such as Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, House of Reps Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy House of Reps Speaker Benjamin Kalu, All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

Traditional rulers at the event included the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Obi of Onitsha Alfred Acbebe.

The President, who also listed his administration’s main achievements, added that those who made the allegation against the country failed to realise that Nigerians were advanced enough to engage in religious persecution.

”We are more developed, civilised and well educated. Our Muslim brothers and sisters and Christian brothers and sisters are helping us to build a nation.

”We are united, no religious persecution in Nigeria – it’s a lie from the pit of hell,’ Tinubu said.

Opening his remarks on an optimistic note, he took a jab at his administration’s critics.

‘Our critics can say whatever they want because they don’t know any better; their Arithmetic has always been wrong. We understand financial engineering and progressive methodology much better than they do. That’s why we are here.’

The President restated that Nigeria has ‘turned the corner’ and that ‘the worst is over.’

He therefore urged Nigerians to ‘stay the course’ as his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into tangible recovery.

‘I stand before you confident, yet humble enough to say that Nigeria is no longer where it was 10 years ago. Today, I can confidently tell you that the worst is over. Stay the course. Believe in us because we believe in you. We trust the future’, Tinubu said.

The President pointed out that the country is steadily regaining economic credibility, citing a rise in external reserves and improving macroeconomic indicators.

‘Today, our external reserves stand at $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019. This is the proof that Nigeria is regaining its strength and credibility in the global economy,’ he stated.

He added that in the second quarter of this year, the economy grew by 4.23 percent while inflation eased to 20.12 percent in August.

The drop in inflation rate, which is described as ”relief ” is ‘the lowest in more than three years.’

”Slowly, but surely, the effects are reaching out to our people,” Tinubu said. But he had a message for Nigerians: ”You may not feel it yet, be patient.’

Underscoring a rebound in the real sector, President Tinubu reported that Nigeria’s trade surplus rose by more than 44 percent in the last quarter, while manufactured exports surged by 173 percent.

‘These numbers speak of a Nigeria that’s producing, exporting and competing more than ever before,’ he said, adding that the Naira has steadied as foreign-exchange reforms and new investment flows ‘restore confidence in our economy.’

While insisting that the upward climb ‘has been steep,’ President Tinubu maintained that the trajectory is now durable.

‘We will continue to work slowly up, but steadily now with our hands on the plough, no looking back. We are going to get to the top of the mountain,’ he said.

The President linked today’s momentum to the political turn Nigeria took a decade ago.

‘Ten years ago, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, came into office on the promise of change. That change is being witnessed here today,’ he said.

Tinubu credited the late President Muhammadu Buhari with beginning ‘the work of stabilisation,’ noting: ‘ Many years passed, mistakes were made, but the direction of our country shifted for the better ever since we came to power.’

He framed the events in Owerri as both a celebration and a record of stewardship.

Commending Governor Uzodimma for combining governance with authorship, Tinubu said: ‘Good job, good thinking, highly progressive, a man of great vision. Well done.’

By documenting ‘the milestones and struggles of the 10 years that we’ve gone through,’ said the President, the governor had given Nigeria ‘a gift.’

‘No nation can afford to forget its own journey, and no leader should escape the duty of stewardship,’ Tinubu said.

Reiterating his faith in Nigeria’s federal structure, Tinubu said the country is seeing practical dividends of reform.

‘By true federalism, there is no state governor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is struggling to pay salaries,’ he asserted, adding that new infrastructure ‘may outlive some of us.’

On education and social mobility, the President said: ‘Today, your children are in school. No child should go to bed hungry or be excluded from being able to pass and be admitted for higher education.’

The President highlighted improvements in healthcare capacity, saying Nigerians ‘can say confidently’ that there are well-equipped hospitals able to treat critical illnesses such as cancer.

‘We are investing in the welfare of our people. Right now, this economy will work for you, not for the smugglers, not for the corrupt,’ he said.

Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their ‘resilience,’ ‘endurance,’ and ‘perseverance,’ promising: ‘You will see prosperity, you will have it.’

Calling for patriotism as Nigeria marks 65 years of nationhood, Tinubu urged citizens to stop ‘talking ill’ of the country.

‘It’s 65 years of Independence – it is not a joke. We are proud of our forefathers. that Nigerians should be one, that it must be an inclusive government, that we must take care of the elderly, we must take care of the vulnerable, we must educate our children, build welfare that will take care of our healthcare system, [and] invest in agriculture mechanisation and irrigation,’ he said.

With adequate food production, he said, Nigeria would not only feed itself but ‘export to other countries.’

President Tinubu contrasted Nigeria’s present with ‘the old way’ that ‘brought our nation close to collapse.’

A ‘break with that past,’ he said, ‘was not an option; it was the only way forward. We broke the jinx.’

He urged Nigerians to ‘look forward,’ not back, and to measure progress by steady, real-world gains: ‘That growth is with purpose, not just on paper; it is real growth.’

Tinubu also defended the nation’s intellectual and cultural confidence amid international scrutiny.

‘We learn English, but we teach English too,’ he said, invoking a broader point about Nigeria’s capacity, cohesion, and ambition.

‘The last decade was a time of change; the coming decade will be an era of renewal and stability, and in that future, together, Nigeria will win. We will win with you’, the President assured.

Turning to Uzodimma, who is also chairman of the All Progressives Governors’ Forum, the President said: ‘You are a man of great vision, and I commend you for good thinking. Well done, seeing the projects that have been inaugurated and authoring a book is a challenging feat.’

Uzodimma reflected on Nigeria’s journey under the APC from 2015 to 2025, highlighting milestones, challenges, and lessons learned.

He emphasised that the book is not just a personal achievement but belongs to the APC family and Nigerians.

The governor described the book as a product of deep reflection that explains ‘progressivism’ in the Nigerian context.

He praised President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and role in forming the APC. He commended him for the economic progress in Nigeria.

Uzodimma told the gathering that Imo State has seen rapid infrastructure growth.

Senate President Akpabio hailed Uzodimma’s efforts in putting together a book that chronicles the APC’s achievements and his vision for Imo State.

Akpabio also commended the President for his leadership sagacity that attracts members of the opposition party to the APC.

‘Many more governors will defect to APC because of the President’s visionary leadership.”

The Obi Onitsha, who spoke for traditional rulers, also commended Uzodimma’s effort and described the book as a great service to the people.

Chairman of the IRS Group of Companies and the book presenter, Isyaku Rabiu, lauded Uzodimma for documenting the achievements of the ruling APC.

He said though not a politician, he is supporting the President for second term because of his economic policies.

Rabiu said: ‘Today, the price of a bag of rice has decreased to N50,000 due to the President’s initiatives to support farmers through fertiliser provision.’

Also, APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, described Tinubu as a custodian of transformation and a master strategist.

He also praised Governor Uzodimma for his leadership.

The governors present at the event were Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Monday Okpebholo(Edo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Francis Nwofuru (Ebonyi), Inuwa Yahaya(Gombe), Abudulahi Sule (Nasarawa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Mohammed Bago (Niger) .

Some of the traditional rulers were Cletus Ilomuanya, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abadi of Calabar, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar and Eze E C Okeke.

Others at the event are Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Budget and Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu and his Information and National Orientation counterpart Mohammed Idris.

Diaspora investors in WINHOMES Estate have responded to recent comments regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, reaffirming their commitment to due process and the rule of law.

In a statement issued by Stella Okengwu, CEO of WINHOMES Global Services Ltd., the investors noted that the extent of land affected by demolition and the status of the ongoing court case remain matters before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1063/25), presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko.

They stressed that no judgment has yet been delivered, and that the legal process must be allowed to run its full course.

The group highlighted that WINHOMES represents over $250 million in diaspora investment and that many families and professionals are stakeholders in the estate.

They reiterated that the protection of investor confidence requires adherence to constitutional provisions, judicial independence, and transparent governance practices.

WINHOMES also announced plans to convene a World Press Conference where documentary evidence, expert input, and stakeholder perspectives will be presented to Nigerians and the international community.

According to the statement, the investors remain committed to lawful engagement and will continue to pursue justice through the courts, insisting that issues concerning property rights, due process, and fair treatment of investors must be addressed with integrity and transparency.

Afrobeats star Rema has made history as the only African artist featured on the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Next list, which celebrates the world’s most influential rising stars.

His inclusion underscores his global impact on the music scene, with his chart-topping hit ‘Calm Down’ surpassing a billion streams twice.

Rema’s profile for the list was penned by Grammy-winning legend Angélique Kidjo, who hailed his remarkable achievements.

She highlighted how his success continues the legacy of African icons like Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, and Youssou N’Dour, who brought the continent’s sound to the global stage.

‘With the recent global explosion of African music, I needed to include some contemporary sounds. I fell in love with Rema’s ‘Calm Down.’ It has a unique flow and feel, not mimicking Western pop; it is rooted in Africa but also catchy and virtuosic. I love to sing it.

‘The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much: ‘Calm Down’ has joined the billion-stream club twice over. Rema has performed in stadiums. His latest album earned a Grammy nomination.

‘Rema is the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats. Thanks to artists like him, African music is at the forefront of global culture’.

This achievement not only solidifies Rema’s position as a trailblazer in Afrobeats but also cements his status as a leading figure in global music.

By joining the ranks of other global music powerhouses like Teyana Taylor and GloRilla on the list, Rema is paving the way for other African artists to gain international recognition.

The new Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has held a closed-door meeting with Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, at his Bodija residence, promising to intervene in the activist’s ongoing challenges.

According to a statement from Igboho’s media office, the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes on Monday, focused on insecurity in the southwest and emerging threats by bandits in parts of Kwara state.

A source disclosed that Oba Ladoja, who received Igboho and his supporters warmly, assured him of his intervention regarding his current ordeals with the federal government.

During the visit, Igboho congratulated the monarch on his ascension to the throne, describing him as a leader loved across Ibadan, Yorubaland, and beyond.

He also expressed his willingness to work with the Federal Government to strengthen security in the South West, stressing that peace and stability are essential for development.

‘Olubadan has been a father figure to me since his days as the former governor of Oyo State. I commend Kabiyesi’s leadership qualities, humility, and enduring influence.

‘I have always seen Oba Ladoja as a father figure. His reign as Olubadan will no doubt further promote peace, unity, and development in Ibadanland and the entire Yorubaland.’