Category: The Nation – Nigeria

SIAT Group, a leading African agro-industrial group and majority shareholder of Presco Plc, has held an event to celebrate its legacy, leadership and the people who have shaped its journey .

The SIAT Forward event, was held under the theme: ‘Legacy, leadership and the future.’

It brought together SIAT’s founding family, retired Directors, Board members,company executives, financial partners and other stakeholders.

The evening was an opportunity to reflect on the group’s history, recognise those who helped build and sustain the business, and celebrate the continuity of a legacy that has evolved across generations, countries and communities.

At the heart of the evening was a celebration of the Vandebeeck family, whose entrepreneurial vision was instrumental in establishing SIAT.

Incorporated under Belgian law in 1991 under the leadership of Pierre Vandebeeck, SIAT’s journey in Africa began with the acquisition of Presco in Nigeria that same year.

The Group subsequently expanded its footprint across the continent, including through the acquisition of Ghana Oil Palm Development Company (GOPDC) in 1995.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Rasheed Sarumi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Saroafrica International Limited and Chairman, Presco Plc, said ”We are gathered this evening not simply to mark an occasion, but to celebrate a milestone.’

‘For decades, this Group has grown across borders and generations through the vision of the founding family and the dedication of those who came before us and those who have carried that vision forward. Many of you in this room were part of buildingthat story. Today is about saying thank you to those who built it, stayed, served, and to those who continue to carry it forward. We do not stand as something new, but as something continued’.

Speaking on behalf of the founding family, Marie Vandebeeck said: ‘When I think of the legacy of SIAT Group, I don’t first think of hectares and tons of palm oil. I think of people, because ultimately, this business was built over many years. Often, in places where building successful companies requires more than capital and ambition, this is the greatest achievement of SIAT. Above all, you need to believe in the future. This philosophy became the DNA of SIAT, and nowhere is it more visible than in Presco. What Presco became today did not happen overnight. It is the result of decades of persistence, investment and the role of exceptional Nigerian organisations. There was certainly risk and uncertainty; that’s part of the entrepreneurial journey. But there was also a fundamental conviction that it was possible to build a world-class agricultural business in Africa. I am proud of the many talented people who joined this company, stayed, developed and assumed great responsibilities.’

The event also provided an opportunity to look ahead, with Adewale Arikawe, Group Chief Executive Officer, SIAT Group, speaking on the responsibility of the current leadership to build on the foundations established by previous generations. He said: ‘Our responsibility as a team is to take SIAT to the next level – to build something bigger, bolder and more impactful. This is not just a simple vision; it is a call to action. At SIAT, we are fully committed to being an integrated agriculture business, sustainably growing, processing and marketing agricultural resources to create value for our people and shareholders. The Group is growing, and with that growth comes a greater responsibility to our people, our shareholders and all our stakeholders. This is a journey, and our responsibility is to keep building on what has been established, keep growing and make SIAT bigger and stronger.’

The gathering was attended by a cross-section of leaders and stakeholders who have contributed to SIAT’s evolution, including Chief Atedo Peterside, former Board member, Presco Plc; Reji George, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Presco Plc; Felix Nwabuko, former Group Chief Executive Officer, SIAT NV and Institutional Adviser, Presco Plc; among others.

Today, SIAT operates integrated agricultural businesses across Africa, with operations spanning plantation development, cultivation, processing and downstream activities. Through its businesses in Nigeria and Ghana, the Group employs more than 17,000 people and supports thousands of smallholder farmers and rural communities.

National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko has come under fire from a leading football activist for including former Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick in the country’s delegation to FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Tuesday, even as officials moved to deny Pinnick is angling to head the proposed Normalisation Committee.

Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Initiative Chairman Prince Harrison Jalla accused Dikko of undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform mandate by bringing Pinnick into the delegation, arguing that immediate past NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and former presidents Aminu Maigari and Sani Lulu Abdullahi were more deserving of a seat on the trip.

‘Stakeholders and Nigeria football followers were stunned yesterday when they saw a former Nigeria Football Federation president, who destroyed Nigeria football for eight years, remote-controlled and misled the Ibrahim Gusau-led board for another four years, in the Nigerian delegation to Zurich,’ Jalla said in a statement, questioning why Gusau, Maigari and Lulu Abdullahi were left out if a former president had to be included at all.

Jalla pressed further on Dikko’s motives, asking: ‘What does Dikko want to achieve? Is it loyalty to a friend and gang leader, or loyalty to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who appointed him as NSC chairman on a platter of gold, and to Nigerians?’ He urged the NSC chairman to test public opinion before proceeding.

‘Dikko should go and gauge the mood of Nigerians on social media about the man he is trying to launder his image,’ he said.

Jalla argued that the diplomatic route was straightforward, noting that a member federation seeking a fresh start could simply write to FIFA to invoke Article 8.2 of the FIFA Statutes and trigger a normalisation process.

He warned Dikko against letting the transition spiral into fresh controversy: ‘Dikko was part of the history that brought our football to this sorry state, and now that providence and political connection have given him a second chance, he must not abuse it.’

He added that Nigerians expect ‘his best hands’ running the game and do not want old wounds reopened.

But a top official who travelled with the delegation to Zurich, pushed back on separate reports that Pinnick was being lined up to chair the Normalisation Committee FIFA is expected to name before the end of the week.

The official said Pinnick told FIFA directly in Zurich on Tuesday that he wanted to be left to run his private business and continue in his global football roles, and dismissed the speculation as untrue.

The official credited Pinnick with attracting unmatched sponsorship to the NFF during his tenure and pointed to his continuing influence as an adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee as an asset for Nigeria, rather than grounds for exclusion.

Pinnick joined the Zurich delegation on Tuesday alongside Dikko, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade and NFF Interim General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme following Gusau’s resignation as NFF President. The Normalisation Committee is expected to draw up a roadmap for reforming NFF governance, including an overhaul of a Congress structure currently dominated by state FA chairmen and federation loyalists.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, is driving the most organic and structured youth mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This was made known in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the City Boy Movement in Ondo State, Mr. Dayo Joseph.

According to Joseph, at the heart of the mobilisation is the City Boy Movement, now the largest pro-Tinubu youth political movement in Africa, which Olawande is leveraging to convert the Renewed Hope Agenda from a slogan into a grassroots movement.

He said the Minister has built disciplined structures for the movement across states, local governments, wards, markets and campuses, with a mandate to take the administration’s message to every home and sensitise Nigerians to key reforms such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

Joseph noted that the movement has set an ambitious target of delivering 10 million youth votes for President Tinubu in 2027, driven by direct community engagement rather than social media rhetoric.

He added that the initiative is also aimed at bridging the gap between government and young Nigerians and moving youths from political observers to active participants in governance.

Beyond politics, the Publicity Secretary said Olawande is using performance in office as his most effective mobilisation tool.

‘Under his watch, the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund was expanded from N75 billion to N110 billion to support young entrepreneurs, 20 vocational centres were established nationwide, and the Nigerian Youth Academy was launched to train over 10,000 youths in ICT and other vocational skills,’ Joseph stated.

He listed other interventions to include an AI-powered Youth Help Desk on WhatsApp for verified jobs and mentorship, the Corpreneur Support Scheme for corps members, the Grassroots Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme for rural businesses, the Young and Secure Initiative with the Ministry of Police Affairs to curb youth harassment, the Electric Tricycle Empowerment Initiative for self-employment, and a partnership with IITA and NALDA to engage 100,000 youths in agribusiness.

Joseph said Olawande has shown that mobilisation is not noise-making, but proving that government can build hope through systems, platforms and skills.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Leo Da Silva has advised ex-reality TV stars to prioritise financial stability, warning that fame without a steady income is hard to sustain.

In a post on X, the 2018 ‘Double Wahala’ housemate said securing regular earnings should be the first step for anyone leaving the BBNaija house.

‘Anyone who comes out of the BBNaija house, my first advice was always to look for something that gives you constant money while you build your brand. Even if it’s 100k or 50k a week,’ Leo wrote.

He also cautioned against lifestyle inflation and comparing yourself to peers.

‘Keep the same friends you had before the house, and no matter how much you make, live below your means. This brand thing is a journey, not a marathon; don’t compare yourself to anyone,’ he added.

Leo’s remarks come days after a video of season 10 housemate Danboskid circulated online.

In the clip, Danboskid appeared distressed and was seen in a not-so-good apartment.

The video drew widespread reaction on social media, with fans and commentators expressing concern for the welfare of some former housemates after the show.

It also revived discussions about the challenges of transitioning from three months of national visibility to long-term career sustainability.

Since 2006, BBNaija has launched dozens of media personalities, influencers and entrepreneurs.

However, many note that without structured post-show support, many struggle to convert popularity into lasting income.

The GSM revolution has become a major driver of Nigeria’s economic development, supporting banking, commerce, education, healthcare and digital payments, Chairman, MTN Nigeria and former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Ernest Ndukwe, has said.

In an interview, he said telecommunications has become essential to virtually every part of the economy.

‘The biggest impact has been its role in catalysing economic development. There is hardly any aspect of commerce that does not depend on telecommunications services,’ Ndukwe said.

He noted that companies such as Visa and Mastercard previously avoided Nigeria because they could not operate effectively without reliable telecommunications services.

The financial sector has been among the biggest beneficiaries.

‘For the banking industry today, it would have been impossible to attain the expansion and the high level of performance and efficiency it has attained without pervasive telecommunications infrastructure and services,’ he said.

Ndukwe added that mobile money and fintech platforms such as MoMo, Opay, Moniepoint and PalmPay also depend on telecommunications infrastructure.

The impact extends to education, healthcare and access to information, he added. ‘Telecommunications has also transformed education, healthcare and access to information,’ Ndukwe said, noting that broadband has become a foundation for learning and that connectivity supported the use of platforms such as Zoom during COVID-19.

Ndukwe said telecom has also helped Nigeria remain connected to global developments. ‘Telecommunications has made it possible for Nigeria to participate in global developments and has helped prevent the digital divide between us and the more advanced countries from widening further.’

He said the transformation demonstrates how telecommunications infrastructure can support wider economic development, from financial services and commerce to education and healthcare. As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, the sectors built around connectivity continue to deepen the economic impact of the GSM revolution.

Uber’s exit from Nigeria has created fresh opportunities for rival ride-hailing platforms seeking to attract customers and drivers who previously used the global mobility company.

Uber announced that it would discontinue operations in Nigeria effective September 2, 2026, ending its 12-year presence in the country after launching in Lagos in 2014.

Although the company did not disclose how many Nigerian drivers and riders would be affected by its departure, its exit is expected to create room for both established and emerging mobility platforms to expand their presence in the market.

Bolt is arguably Uber’s most direct competitor in Nigeria. The company already operates a ride-hailing platform in Nigeria, connecting riders with independent driver partners. Its Nigerian driver programme allows drivers to choose when to go online, accept available requests and earn from completed trips.

Bolt’s presence in Lagos is particularly significant. The company lists ride services across the city and continues to recruit drivers, making it well positioned to absorb some of the riders and drivers leaving Uber.

Rather than relying entirely on an automatically determined fare, inDrive allows riders and drivers to negotiate the price of a trip. According to the company’s description of its model, users can have a say in the price, vehicle and driver they choose.

The model has previously attracted Nigerian riders looking for alternatives to higher ride-hailing fares. TechCabal reported that rising fuel prices and inflation had encouraged some customers to turn to inDrive and Rida because of their pricing flexibility.

Rida is another Nigerian-market competitor that could benefit from Uber’s departure.

Rida allows riders to set a price, choose a driver and request either car or motorcycle transportation. Its current driver application also advertises 0% commission, allowing drivers to retain the full fare from rides.

The platform’s approach could appeal particularly to drivers who are concerned about commissions and rising operating costs.

A 2023 TechCabal report noted that Rida did not charge drivers commission at the time, while inDrive charged a lower commission than Uber and Bolt.

LagRide is a Lagos-focused e-hailing service and another potential beneficiary of Uber’s exit.

The platform describes itself as a premium e-taxi service and says it operates a fleet of petrol and electric vehicles across Lagos. Its platform allows passengers to book rides, track drivers, rate trips and make cashless payments.

LagRide also has a distinctive model for drivers; the company says it provides vehicles to its drivers, meaning prospective drivers do not necessarily need to purchase their own cars before joining the platform.

GeraRide is another platform seeking a place in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive mobility market. GeraRide says it serves riders in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, offering different categories of transportation, including economy, comfort, premium, SUV, motorcycle and XL rides. It also combines ride-hailing with delivery services.

For drivers, the company advertises flexible working hours and a 15% platform fee, with its driver programme stating that the first month is commission-free.

Its focus on lower commissions and flexible work could help it attract drivers searching for alternatives.

Shuttlers operates differently from traditional point-to-point ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Bolt. The company specialises in scheduled shared transportation, including daily commuting and employee transport. Its platform allows users to search for routes and book scheduled rides.

Shuttlers says more than 100,000 professionals use its commuting services, although its model is primarily focused on scheduled mass transit rather than individual on-demand rides.

Therefore, it may not directly replace Uber for every type of journey, but it offers another technology-driven transportation option for Nigerians.

Oga Taxi is another local player identified among Nigeria’s ride-hailing platforms.

Oga Taxi has been listed alongside other Nigerian e-hailing operators, including Bolt, inDrive, Rida, LagRide and Shuttlers. The report highlighted the growth of ride-hailing across several Nigerian cities and the emergence of numerous platforms competing for riders and drivers.

Although it does not have the same international profile as Uber, its presence demonstrates the number of local and regional alternatives available in Nigeria’s e-hailing market.

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 68 suspected drug traffickers and seized 7,531.51 kg of narcotic drugs in August 2026.

The suspects were said to have been arrested in different parts of the state through intelligence-led operations.

Edo Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the August scorecard reflected the unwavering commitment of the NDLEA mission to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse in the State.

Commander Mitchell said enforcement officers identified and destroyed four cannabis farms in the Orhionmwon and Owan West local government areas.

He said the farms were located in forests in Igbanke, Ukaro and Ewe.

Commander Mitchell said no convictions were recorded in the month under review because the Federal High Court was on vacation.

He said three new cases were charged to court, while 87 others were still pending.

According to him, ‘We are unwavering in our commitment to tackling the drug problem in Edo State. Our recent operations showcase our dedication to flushing out drugs from our communities and apprehending those who wish to profit from the suffering of others.

‘We will continue to collaborate with community leaders, media organisations, and law enforcement partners to ensure the safety and health of our citizens.

‘The command has broadened its community outreach initiatives. The Counselling and Treatment Rehabilitation (CTR) and Prevention Sensitisation (PS) units have been actively engaged in addressing the social repercussions of substance abuse by providing counselling to 23 clients and enrolling 12 individuals in vocational training programmes, including tailoring, perfume making, and liquid soap production.’

The Nigerian Army is deepening its partnership with the private sector to modernise its healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality medical services for personnel and their families.

The initiative was discussed when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, received a high-level delegation of private-sector and diplomatic partners at Army Headquarters, Abuja, to explore sustainable collaboration in healthcare delivery.

The proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will focus on upgrading Army hospitals, providing modern medical equipment, strengthening pharmaceutical services and deploying digital health solutions across Army formations and establishments.

The partnership is expected to enhance the capacity, accessibility and resilience of Army medical facilities while improving their ability to meet the healthcare needs of personnel and their families.

The delegation, led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), included representatives of Honey Star Resources Limited, MandP, Elevate Egypt and the League of African Ambassadors.

In a statement by the Army spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele, Shaibu said the health and well-being of personnel and their families remained central to his ‘Soldier First’ concept, stressing that quality healthcare was critical to the Army’s operational effectiveness.

He said sustained investment in healthcare was also essential to his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, a healthy, motivated and well-supported force is fundamental to operational readiness, morale and sustained effectiveness.

Shaibu therefore welcomed credible partnerships that can provide investment, expertise, technology, and innovative healthcare solutions to complement government efforts and deliver sustainable benefits to Army personnel and their families.

The Army Chief said the proposed collaboration would leverage the capabilities of Honey Star Resources, MandP and Elevate Egypt, with diplomatic support from the League of African Ambassadors, to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services across its formations and establishments.

He added that the initiative would not only improve personnel welfare but also enhance troops’ operational readiness and strengthen the military’s capacity to respond effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has criticised the opposition’s campaign over alleged United States government documents concerning President Bola Tinubu, describing it as an attempt to damage Nigeria’s image abroad.

Agbese spoke to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday evening while reacting to efforts by a Washington-based lobbying firm to draw the attention of officials in the Donald Trump administration and members of Congress to allegations concerning Tinubu.

Speaking on behalf of concerned lawmakers and civil society groups, the lawmaker said political disagreements should not be pursued at the expense of the reputation and well-being of Nigerians living, working and doing business abroad.

He said the circulation of old documents and unproven allegations in foreign political circles could have consequences beyond the individuals targeted, particularly for Nigerians whose livelihoods and opportunities depend on the country’s international reputation.

‘This has gone beyond politics. When desperate politicians begin to export their political battles and package Nigeria as a country whose leadership is allegedly built around criminality, they are not hurting President Tinubu alone. They are damaging the image of every Nigerian who travels, studies, works, does business or seeks opportunities abroad,’ Agbese said.

The Labour Party lawmaker said opposition politicians had the right to criticise the administration and challenge its policies but should not turn foreign governments and institutions into instruments for settling domestic political disputes.

‘Political competition is legitimate, but there must be a line that every responsible politician must refuse to cross. You cannot spend your time telling the world that your own country is being led by criminals simply because you want to defeat the person in power,’ he said.

Agbese said the Federal Government should not be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attempts to create an international scandal around the President ahead of the 2027 elections.

He urged President Trump and his administration to scrutinise the motives and credibility of individuals presenting themselves as advocates for Nigeria before acting on information supplied through political lobbying.

‘We call on President Trump and his administration to ignore elements whose new responsibility appears to be blackmailing the Federal Government of Nigeria and, by extension, the Nigerian people who are earnestly earning a living abroad,’ Agbese said.

The Benue lawmaker said the allegations being circulated about Tinubu should be subjected to appropriate legal and evidentiary standards rather than repeatedly presented as established facts in the international arena.

He also questioned the wisdom of relying on decades-old documents from a civil forfeiture proceeding to define Nigeria’s current political leadership, particularly when the documents were being promoted in the context of an approaching election.

According to Agbese, Nigerians should be concerned about the broader consequences of political campaigns that portray the country negatively before foreign governments.

‘We must stop treating Nigeria’s international reputation as collateral damage in our political contests. Whoever wins an election will still inherit the same country, and whoever loses will still remain a Nigerian,’ he warned.

Agbese said the House of Representatives would continue to defend Nigeria’s national interest while encouraging political actors to pursue their disagreements within the country’s democratic and judicial institutions.

He urged politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu’s administration to focus on policies, governance and the electoral process rather than what he described as efforts to mobilise foreign actors against Nigeria.

‘Let Nigerians decide their leadership. If anybody believes the President has failed, take that argument to the Nigerian people and let the ballot determine it. Do not outsource our democracy to Washington, London or anywhere else. Nigeria belongs to Nigerians, and our political battles must not become a source of hardship or embarrassment for our people at home and abroad,’ Agbese declared.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State remains unified, strong and positioned for future electoral victories despite the recent resignation of former governor and ex-minister of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, former APC deputy national publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, has said.

He made the assertion yesterday in a statement in Abuja, while addressing the ripple effect caused by Sylva’s departure.

Sylva resigned from the ruling party on August 31, citing ideological differences and alleging that APC’s foundational principles had been ‘thoroughly and recognisably thwarted.’

Responding to the exit on behalf of state party stakeholders, Nabena said the party structure in Bayelsa remained intact, noting that about 90 per cent of members had resolved to stay back and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election alongside other party candidates.

‘We receive with deep reflection, the news of your resignation from the All Progressives Congress via your letter dated 31st August, 2026,’ Nabena stated in a message to the former governor.

‘As one who joined others to build the APC with sweat and resources, your decision after wide consultation with family, associates and supporters is a painful but principled one.’

Acknowledging Sylva’s contributions to building APC in the state, Nabena said the party had grown into an institution larger than any individual.

‘While we wish you well in your political journey outside the APC, the majority of us in the Bayelsa APC family feel contrary to your decision,’ Nabena added.

‘We make bold to say we will remain in APC where we have invested, sacrificed and built a solid political structure.’

Reiterating the commitment of the remaining leadership to protect their grassroots base, the Bayelsa-born politician dismissed suggestions of a mass exodus following Sylva’s departure.

‘We cannot abandon our people in the APC and jump ship. We will not abandon the ship for nowhere because the problem facing the country is not about the political parties, but leadership problems,’ Nabena said.

‘Politicians are not manufactured anywhere, but are recycled; hence, we will make sure we stay back and deliver our candidates in Bayelsa State.’

Despite the political fallout, Nabena offered words of respect for the former minister, acknowledging his long-standing role in the region’s politics and saying Sylva would continue to be viewed as a leader outside party lines.