Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Stakeholders have called for establishment of shelters and harmonized data to assist in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Anambra state.

They said battle against GBV required shelters, data as well as trained counselors to be successfully won.

The stakeholders spoke in Awka at a two-day GBV stakeholders consultative meeting organized by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WACOL to harmonize data and create referrals pathway

Addressing participants, State Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ibadin Judith-Chukwu said traumatized victims of violence could better be managed by trained counselors in a conducive shelter.

She however expressed concern over lack of such facilities in the state, calling for assistance from both government and individuals to make such facilities available in the state.

She said, ‘Fighting any form of violence in persons can’t be successful without shelters where victims can be kept for counselling and rehabilitation processes before being reunited to their families and reintegrated into the society.

‘Most times these victims are rescued, they’re already traumatized. The first thing is not to jump into demanding statements from them.

‘Rather, they needed to be taken to a shelter where they would be welcome and made to feel at home with the assistance of trained counselors who would walk them out of the trauma stage before the best can be gotten from them.’

Earlier, Executive Director, GPSDC, Anekwe Eucharia said the project was focused on empowering christian women and female leaders of culture for prevention and response to GBV in Nigeria through the strengthening of grassroots organisations

She listed objectives of the engagement to include reviewing how different stakeholders currently collect and report GBV data in the State, identifying existing gaps and overlaps, as well as finding ways to strengthen referral linkages and to create a referral directory.

‘We also aim to agree on a common framework to harmonizing all GBV data at the same time build stronger collaboration and accountability among MDAs, networks, and organizations working on GBV response,’ she added.

Representatives of Ministries of Justice, Women and Social Welfare, State Bureau of Statistics, Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA), NPF, NSCDC, NHRC, Red Cross and CSO Networks commended GPSDC for organising the workshop, pledging their support to the project.

The growing concern over rising suicide cases and mental health challenges in Nigeria took centre stage on Friday as stakeholders, policymakers, and mental health advocates gathered in Lagos for a Mental Health Summit organised by Vanguard Media Ltd. The event, themed ‘Taming the Rising Tide of Suicide in Nigeria’ with the sub-theme ‘Substance and Silence: Unmasking the Dual Crisis of Addiction and Suicide,’ brought together experts who called for more compassionate, community-driven, and evidence-based approaches to mental health and suicide prevention.

Leading the charge was Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, who decried the alarming rate of suicide in the country, estimating that about 16,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually. He described the figure as ‘a staggering and heartbreaking reality,’ stressing that behind the statistics were real people whose deaths could have been prevented with compassion, care, and timely intervention. ‘It is this conviction that led me to sponsor the Suicide Prevention Bill 2024,’ he said. ‘The legislation seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide, rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors, and provide psychosocial support to families affected by suicide or attempted suicide.’

Ekpenyong emphasised that the fight against suicide must also confront substance addiction, noting that the two crises are deeply intertwined. ‘Many young Nigerians are trapped between despair and dependence,’ he said. ‘Our response must be both compassionate and comprehensive.’

In his keynote address, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, the Continental Representative of Lifeline International, called for urgent implementation of the suicide decriminalisation agenda, arguing that criminalising attempted suicide was counterproductive and inhumane. According to him, the continued criminalisation of attempted suicide discourages people from seeking help and perpetuates stigma around mental health. He criticised efforts to subsume the suicide prevention bill under the National Mental Health Act, saying the two issues, though related, require separate legislation.

‘That law (Mental Health Act) is for people with diagnosed mental illness,’ Sheikh explained. ‘If you subsume the suicide prevention law into it, those without a diagnosis will not be protected. We need a standalone, comprehensive suicide prevention law that covers all aspects – prevention, care, rehabilitation, and postvention support for families.’ Sheikh stressed that the proposed bill before the National Assembly is designed to provide a holistic framework addressing suicide in all its dimensions. ‘It will protect survivors, care for families, and establish clear national mechanisms for suicide prevention,’ he added.

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), who was represented by Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, said the agency was stepping up efforts to tackle substance abuse – a major driver of mental health crises. He announced plans for a new National Drug Survey and the development of a National Drug Control Master Plan (2026-2030) to guide Nigeria’s response to drug abuse. According to him, the NDLEA has invested heavily in intelligence gathering to identify patterns of drug use and provide early warning signals.

‘The country is running in circles – we arrest without treatment, incarcerate without rehabilitation, and enforce without prevention,’ Marwa said. ‘We need a more balanced approach that includes prevention, community engagement, and treatment.’

He revealed that the agency would soon deploy NDLEA Community Liaison Offices in all 774 local government areas to strengthen partnerships with local structures and promote resilience against drug abuse. ‘NDLEA is undergoing a profound transformation,’ he said. We aim to become not merely a shield against drug trafficking but also a partner in healing and community recovery.’

Adding a psychosocial dimension to the conversation, Ms. Titilayo Tade, Training Coordinator of the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN), urged Nigerians to cultivate empathy and open communication to counter the isolation that fuels suicide. Speaking on the topic ‘How Are You?’, she identified stress, depression, and economic hardship as major triggers of suicidal thoughts, warning that unaddressed mental distress can spiral into tragedy. ‘Businesses are collapsing, living costs are rising, and frustration is growing. People must learn to speak out – silence can be deadly,’ she said.

Tade advised that the first line of help in dealing with depression or emotional distress should be counselling and therapy, whether from family members, friends, religious leaders, or mental health professionals. ‘Don’t wait until you are broken or close to giving up before seeking help,’ she said. She also encouraged Nigerians to check on one another regularly, adding that small gestures of concern can save lives. ‘Let us not bottle up our anxieties. Even considering suicide should never be an option for life’s challenges,’ she urged.

The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has dismissed as false and misleading, a social media publication alleging irregularities in its 2025/2026 admission process, particularly in the recently released primary admission list.

In a statement on Thursday the acting public relations officer, Inya Agha Egwu, the university described the publication, as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the institution and its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya.

According to the statement, the author had claimed that fewer than ten candidates who chose UNN as their first-choice institution scored up to the university’s cut-off mark of 338 for Medicine and Surgery, alleging that other candidates were admitted through bribery and manipulation.

UNN, however, described the allegation as ‘not only false but also maliciously intended to discredit the integrity of the University of Nigeria and its Vice-Chancellor who has a long-standing reputation for integrity and excellence.’

The university clarified that it does not conduct its admissions independently, noting that every stage of the process is supervised and validated by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

It further explained that federal university admissions in Nigeria follow a nationally approved quota system – 45% for Merit, 35% for Catchment Area, and 20% for Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS).

To further set the record straight, the institution released the official cut-off marks for Medicine and Surgery under different categories.

For Merit, the cut-off was set at 338.0; while the Catchment Areas were Enugu (334.5), Anambra (331.6), Imo (333.1), Abia (326.5), Ebonyi (314.2), Delta (315.8), and Akwa Ibom (282.3).

Under the ELDS category, the cut-off marks included Taraba (312.1), Rivers (295.4), Kogi (294.6), Bayelsa (317.3), Niger (287.9), Cross River (287.7), Benue (282.4), Gombe (282.4), Kaduna (280.3), and Katsina (283.3).

‘These figures clearly demonstrate that cut-off marks vary by admission category, in accordance with the national admission policy,’ the statement emphasised.

The university noted that its primary admission list was prepared by the respective Deans of Faculty and approved by the Committee of Deans, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, ensuring ‘strict compliance with due process, transparency, and officially approved guidelines.’

Contrary to the report, UNN revealed that over 600 candidates scored above 300 in Medicine and Surgery alone – a testament, it said, to the faculty’s competitiveness and high standards.

‘The University of Nigeria, under the leadership of Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, remains firmly committed to its founding values of integrity, fairness, and meritocracy in all academic and administrative processes,’ the statement reads.

UNN therefore urged members of the public to disregard the ‘unfounded and malicious claims’ and to seek verified information only through its official website and communication channels.

Chairman of Yoruba Unity Forum and member of Afenifere Elders’ Caucus, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu, and governance expert, Dr. Ayo Awoyemi, are among the leading speakers at the forthcoming Southwest Stakeholders Dialogue scheduled to hold in Akure, Ondo State.

The two-day regional forum with the theme: ‘Strengthening Democracy through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future’, will take place on October 29 and 30 at the International Conference Centre (The Dome), Akure.

Convened by Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, the dialogue is designed as a citizen-government interactive town hall session that will bring together ministers, senior federal government officials, traditional rulers, civil society leaders and other stakeholders from across the six Southwest states.

Ladigbolu will deliver a special address, while Awoyemi is billed to present the keynote address, both expected to provide thought-provoking perspectives on strengthening democratic governance and regional cooperation.

The dialogue will be hosted by Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, with co-hosts including Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Expected participants include current and former political leaders, professional associations, youths’ and women’s groups, civil society organisations, business leaders and traditional institutions.

Discussions will focus on democratic consolidation, regional collaboration and the impact of federal policies on the Southwest.

Programme highlights include Southwest Stakeholders Confab, Southwest Governors’ Forum session on ‘Regional Collaboration: Impact of Federal Government Reforms, Policies and Programmes on Southwest States,’ and a series of thematic engagement sessions aimed at defining a common development agenda for the region.

Organised in partnership with Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, the forum seeks to foster cooperation among governments, institutions and citizens in building a more inclusive, accountable and prosperous Southwest.

Enquiries are to be directed to Dr. Akin Onigbinde (SAN) and Dr. Seye Oyeleye, Director-General of the DAWN Commission.

With Ladigbolu and Awoyemi leading key sessions, the Akure dialogue promises to generate far-reaching ideas on democracy, governance and future of development in the Yoruba-speaking Southwest states.

As part of its efforts to close the about seven million metering gap in the power sector, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the disbursement of N28 billion to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to enable them procure and install meters under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) tranche B scheme.

‘DisCos shall utilise NGN28,000,000,000 (Twenty-Eight Billion Naira only) of the MAF scheme for Tranche B apportioned in accordance with their respective contributions as at the July 2025 market settlement and detailed in Schedule 1, for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band ‘A’ and ‘B’ customers within their franchise areas,’ NERC said.

The money is part of government’s intervention to assist the DisCos on meter procurement to ensure that electricity consumers pay only for the power they consume and reduce friction between the customers and the DisCos.

Not many Nigerians are comfortable with the idea of government still funding the DisCos. Afterall, they are now largely private entities and should be able to fend for themselves. But the fact also remains that the DisCos did not have the financial muscles to fund their operations.

From their body language and attitude, it is clear they are not in a hurry to meter consumers; a primary provision they ought to have factored into their operations before they became the owners of the entities. They seem comfortable with estimated billing through which they rip off hapless power consumers.

Perhaps nothing better supports the assertion that the DisCos are not interested in providing meters than the plan, as recently as last year, by Eko Electric to provide 355,000 meters to its customers over a five-year period. This means a paltry 71,000 meters per year. This is like a drop in the ocean by a DisCo serving a state where about 40 per cent of the power produced in the country, with its concomitantly huge metering gap, is consumed.

If Nigerians were to go at this pace, how many decades will it take for the metering gap to be bridged?

Against this backdrop, one can understand the predicament of the government and its reasons for making free meters available to the DisCos for onward transfer to power consumers, in many cases free of charge.

It is instructive that the Tinubu administration’s metering initiative is not the first. The immediate past Buhari administration also initiated a 1,000,000 free meters initiative in 2020.

One grievous error that that administration made was that the meters that were eventually rolled out were distributed simultaneously with the ones sold to customers by the DisCos. Your guess is as good as ours on what could have happened to the free meters, especially in a country like ours where corruption is rife, and the power sector acknowledged as a leader in monumental corrupt practices.

As things stand, we do not know whether there was thorough auditing of the previous exercises because, as at 2020, we were told the metering gap was estimated at 6.5 million. Today, we are told it is about seven million. So, what exactly is happening? The gap is supposed to be reducing as a result of previous meter rollouts.

It would seem the present government has taken some measures to address some of the past mistakes on distribution of meters. For instance, there are timelines for virtually every aspect of the new process; from the time funds are provided to the time the meters would get to the consumers.

In short, ‘The installation of meters shall be completed by 31 December 2025,’ according to the NERC.

But setting of deadlines has hardly been the problem. The problem is in getting the DisCos honour the timelines scrupulously. Any stakeholder that fails to perform to schedule should be sanctioned in line with the guidelines for the exercise.

More important, the processes should be thoroughly audited to ensure that we do not get to the situation where the more meters are made available to power consumers, the more we need to keep supplying. By now, the metering graph should be heading southwards. If it is not, we need to find out why, so we can know whether there is genuine reason for that or not, to enable government deal with the situation appropriately.

Candidates of political parties contesting the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State will, on November 3, sign a peace accord ahead of the poll.

The Executive Director of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and head of The Kukah Centre Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, disclosed this yesterday during a pre-election engagement with stakeholders in Awka.

‘We’re here to work with those who understand the politics and cultural dynamics of this state, and to seek your advice on how to sustain peace in Anambra,’ Barkindo said.

‘Secondly, we’re informing you about the November 3 peace accord signing ahead of the poll. Members of the NPC will arrive in the state next week with INEC officials for the exercise, which has become a tradition.’

He added that Governor Chukwuma Soludo and other candidates had been notified of the event. ‘For us, this is critical because it gives the Committee the moral authority to intervene in any untoward situation. We pray that nothing of such happens,’ Barkindo said.

‘This state will outlive all of us. In 50 years, a new generation of Anambra people will take our place. We have a natural responsibility to hand over a peaceful and decent state to those coming after us. That’s why we’re here.’

He urged candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the election period.

‘Our fears are normal-fear of the unforeseen. We’ll rely on the security agencies for intelligence. But we also advise candidates to behave in ways that reflect the values they claim to uphold,’ he said.

‘We expect the candidates, as leaders, to guide their supporters properly. They must comply with the law and cooperate with officials managing the election. Even voters must conduct themselves peacefully.

‘We’re also warning against posting fake results, misinformation, disinformation, and the sharing of fake images-all of which can provoke violence.’

Earlier, NPC Project Manager Asabe Ndahi said the engagement was aimed at promoting peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections in the state.

‘The meeting provides a platform for dialogue among political leaders, security agencies, civil society, and traditional institutions,’ Ndahi explained.

‘It’s also to build consensus on the 2025 Anambra Peace Accord to be signed before the polls, and to strengthen coordination among political actors, INEC, and security agencies to reduce election-related violence.

‘Additionally, we’re reviewing early warning signals through the state’s Independent State-Based Peace Architecture (ISPA) and the NPC’s Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system.’

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu , has declared an ambitious vision to reposition the institute as the ‘engine room for producing champions.’

In an interview on M4STV, the former Edo State Deputy Governor of Edo State who is a long-time advocate for sports development, outlined a sweeping transformation agenda aimed at turning the NIS into a world class centre. He emphasized that the NIS must evolve beyond its current state and take a leadership role in shaping Nigeria’s sporting future.

‘The National Institute of Sports should not just exist, it should lead. We must treat sports as a serious business. The NIS must be the place where champions are made, not just for Nigeria, but for the world,’ he said.

He said under his leadership, the institute will prioritize the discovery and training of talented athletes, elevate coaching standards and foster strategic partnerships with the private sector.

Shaibu’s blueprint includes upgrading the institute’s facilities to meet international standards, making it a modern and attractive training ground for athletes and professionals alike.

He also plans to invest heavily in human capital by training more coaches, sports scientists, and administrators, while building strong relationships with private companies to support funding and innovation.

Shaibu did not shy away from acknowledging the challenges facing Nigerian sports, including poor infrastructure, inadequate funding and weak management systems.

He described the NIS he inherited as being ‘underground’ as a 50-year-old institution in dire need of renewal. He noted a troubling manpower imbalance, with more administrative staff than professionals, and revealed that only one staff member currently holds the requisite qualifications for their role.

‘The manpower gap is huge,’ he said, adding that the curriculum in use is out-dated, adding :’it’s a ‘Mungo Park’ curriculum in a modern era.’

To address these issues, Shaibu is committed to building a solid digital foundation for the institute, one that can compete globally and train coaches capable of preparing athletes for podium finishes.

He lamented that many Nigerian athletes abroad now return home to compete for the country because the local talent pool lacks exposure to quality coaching and modern facilities.

While the 2026 budget is one avenue of funding, Shaibu stressed that the institute cannot rely solely on government allocations. He described sports as an industry and positioned the NIS as a vital part of that industrial cycle, an institution responsible not only for training coaches and athletes but also for producing sports medicine professionals, physiotherapists, and paramedics.

The NIS currently offers a National Diploma in Paramedic Technology, which focuses on emergency medical care, trauma management and sports related health services.

Shaibu also highlighted the institute’s historical significance, recalling that in the 1980s, the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) used to perfect their training at the NIS. He affirmed that one of the core mandates of the institute is to train elite athletes and restore its legacy as the cradle of Nigerian sports excellence.

‘We are rebranding the entire system so that the private sector can identify with the NIS and partner with us,’ Shaibu concluded.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has urged local and international investors to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in the nation’s capital to drive sustainable growth and development.

Wike spoke yesterday at the opening of the second Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIEXPO 2025) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The event was organised by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its investment arm, the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL).

Represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to making Abuja not just the political capital of Nigeria but a model of sustainable economic growth in Africa.

Wike said: ‘As Abuja symbolises Nigeria’s aspirations, our mission, supported by Mr. President, is to make it a safe, investment-friendly city that empowers all citizens.’

The minister noted that the theme of the theme: Empowering Sustainable Growth: Unlocking Potentials in Emerging Markets, reflected the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which focuses on inclusive development, infrastructure expansion, and job creation.

He said the administration was prioritising infrastructural development to link satellite towns, area councils, and rural communities to the city centre.

Wike noted that such projects are essential for industrialisation and economic diversification.

Wike hailed the AICL for organising what he called a ‘strategic and forward-looking platform’ that brings together investors, innovators, and development partners to explore opportunities for shared prosperity.

‘The FCT Administration remains steadfast in building a sustainable, flourishing capital city and enhancing Nigeria’s position on the continental and global stage,’ he added.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, urged African investors to prioritise local investments, stressing that the continent’s economic future must be shaped by Africans themselves.

Elumelu said: ‘Make your money, but please bring it home and invest locally.

‘It will be a disservice to make so much and then keep the money in economies that are already developed.’

The popular banker stressed that Africa’s economic transformation ‘will not be written in boardrooms in Washington D.C. or London but right here in Africa, in Nigeria, in Abuja – and it will be written by Africans’.

The Heirs Holding Chairman underscored the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector to tackle poverty, saying: ‘Poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us everywhere.’

He announced that the Tony Elumelu Foundation had supported 24,000 young Africans with training and a non-refundable $5,000 seed grant, including 641 beneficiaries from the FCT.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of AICL, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said the expo aligned with the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to boost investor confidence, stabilise the micro-economy and promote sustainable development.

She said this year’s edition attracted investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from within and outside Nigeria, including delegates from South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Botswana.

‘ABIEXPO 2025 marks the next chapter of Abuja’s transformation into a resilient, globally competitive city,’ Tamuno said.

She added that the event featured a dedicated Youth Day and Women’s Day to promote inclusion and connect innovators with investors.

In a decisive move to boost national income generation, the National Economic Council (NEC) has expanded the mandate of its Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control to include ending the illegal mining and theft of solid minerals across the country.

The Council also endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposal for the overhaul and revamp of training institutions for security agencies nationwide.

NEC also approved a comprehensive roadmap toward achieving a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030.

The decisions were part of the resolutions reached at the 152nd meeting of the Council held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, under the chairmanship of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, also attended the session, which was convened shortly after the swearing-in of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The President’s proposal followed a presentation to Council by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on the realisation of President Tinubu’s vision for a trillion-dollar economy, which also highlighted the necessity of investing more in security by the three tiers of government.

NEC constituted a committee chaired by Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, to oversee the process of overhaul of training institutions for security agencies across the country.

The committee has a one-month period to produce a blueprint for the renovation of training institutions for the Nigeria Police Force and sister agencies nationwide.

Addressing members of the Council, President Tinubu highlighted the need for government to fix training institutions and facilities for security agencies across the country, assuring that his administration would make concerted efforts to reverse the dilapidation in police training facilities nationwide.

‘We have to make the conditions of the training facilities more conducive for both the trainers and trainees,’ he said.

Other members of the NEC committee are Governors Uba Sani (Kaduna); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Kefas Agbu (Taraba); Uno Eno (Akwa Ibom); Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa with former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba Usman, as secretary.

Tinubu also urged Governors to also pay attention to issues that affect the wellbeing of the people particularly from the grassroot.

Chairman of NEC, Vice President Kashim called on State Governments to translate the optimism of the streets into real prosperity in homes and communities.

Shettima reminded Governors that the measure of governance lies in the tangible improvement of citizens’ lives rather than rhetoric.

Briefing journalists at the State House after the meeting, Imo Governor and Chairman of the NEC Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said the expansion of the committee’s terms of reference to include solid minerals was aimed at ending the menace of illegal mining and plugging revenue leakages.

‘NEC received our interim report with satisfaction and expanded our terms of reference to now also take interest in solid minerals, because our solid minerals are being mined and stolen without contributing to national revenue,’ Governor Uzodinma said.

He explained that the decision followed the committee’s success in curbing crude oil theft, which has seen Nigeria’s daily production rise significantly from around 700,000-800,000 barrels per day before May 2023 to over 1.7 million barrels per day as of October 2025.

Uzodinma credited this progress to the committee’s collaborative approach involving regulators, industry operators, and security agencies such as the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and security consultants, as well as Governors of oil-producing states.

The management of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has launched a probe into an allegations of a staff using personal bank account to receive payment from customers for services.

It frowned at such practices, stating ‘if verified, are contrary to the established financial and ethical procedures governing transactions within LASAA and the Lagos State Civil Service.’

It said the agency has identified the staff involved who has been directed to ‘report at the Agency’s Head Office for immediate investigation and disciplinary proceedings in accordance with public service rules.’

The agency maintained ‘all payments for its services must be made only through officially designated government channels.

‘We appreciate the vigilance of members of the public who bring such matters to our attention. The Agency assures all stakeholders and clients that necessary corrective measures will be taken to uphold public trust and the integrity of our processes.’