Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, Nigerian-American Yewande Olugbodi Fagunwa, popularly known as Olori Wendy, had already carved a niche for herself as a Nollywood film producer with several titles to her credit.

Today, she is blending her creative background with military discipline to champion a pressing cause – the fight against homelessness in America.

On August 1, 2025, Wendy set out from California in a rental car with a bold mission: to drive through all 48 contiguous U.S. states within a month. But beyond the adventure lay a deeper purpose – to spotlight the struggles of the homeless by immersing herself, in part, in their reality.

‘This wasn’t just about me driving around the country,’ she told The Nation. ‘It was about sharing the experience of people who live without a home, and giving them a voice.’

Throughout the journey, her vehicle often served as her home. She spent nights at truck stops, 24-hour rest areas, or curled up in the driver’s seat. She stretched her budget with packed snacks and occasional hot meals, while showers at truck stops or gyms cost up to $18. ‘Sleeping in the car wasn’t always easy, but it was part of the story I wanted to tell,’ she explained.

Her resolve was tested by storms, car troubles, and moments of doubt, yet she pressed on. Along the way, Wendy distributed relief items and money to the homeless, listening to their stories and sharing her own. ‘Sleeping in a vehicle was symbolic for me,’ she said. ‘It was a way to feel, even just a fraction, of what so many homeless people endure every night.’

Though she faced delays that stretched her schedule beyond her birthday on August 26, Wendy completed the 48-state drive. Hawaii and Alaska remain for another day, but for her, the journey has already achieved its essence – resilience, compassion, and advocacy.

‘It all started as a dream,’ she reflected. ‘But the dream became a mission. And the mission is far from over.

Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, a management consultatnt highlights the qualities of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the art of creating wealth for the people.

When it comes to the upcoming presidential election in 2023, Nigerians will have two options: They will either deplete the massive transformation efforts of the current Buhari government, or will elect a resolute transformer who combines the core qualities of an actual master-wealth creator to lead the country to the promised land. We can only strategize against the defenestration of the country and its infrastructure to the state it was before Buhari took office. When it comes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformational capacity, comprehension, qualities of creating wealth, using diversity to boost productivity as an outcome, and application of governance tools for the benefit of the people, he stands head and shoulders above the other candidates in this election.

With Asiwaju as the President come from 2023, Nigerians will fulfil the greatest call of generations to have a president who indeed is a real master in wealth creation, both in private and public sectors. We know that to be great leaders, you need a great team. Identifying your Wealth Creators would unlock your national potentials. The individuals who take the Country to the next level are the wealth creators. Asiwaju is the real master of wealth creation across the board, of all the candidates vying to succeed Buhari.

The tenacity and resilience of wealth creators define Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He can, however, also be extremely task-oriented and challenging to work with him. You can argue that you don’t have to be a Wealth Creator to be a successful leader. Yes, many great leaders do not themselves create wealth. However, all leaders require the assistance of a Wealth Creators in order to drive public and private business expansion. Because of their unique combination of characteristics, Wealth Creators are able to make a leader’s vision a reality. With Asiwaju, Nigerians have a prosperous package of an actual master of wealth creation and transformational leader.

Countries and businesses are taking advantage of every opportunity to gain a slight edge over their rivals in today’s highly competitive world. Diversity is an advantage that is frequently overlooked. One of the most significant advantages of diversity is increased productivity, which is now becoming increasingly recognised by numerous nations and businesses. Companies with ethically diverse leadership teams outperform their rivals by up to 36%, according to several studies. When Asiwaju was in charge of Lagos State, he was the first governor to liberate the advantages of having a competitive advantage by having a cabinet full of people from different exemplary backgrounds. How, then, does this occur? To put it succinctly, Asiwaju successfully implemented the strategy of having leaders in his cabinet with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Effectively, this led to improved decision-making, increased innovation, increased staff engagement and retention, and increased strategic thinking.

Asiwaju had this in mind again in his address at Arewa House, Kaduna, ‘It’s time to fetch water from a dry well. We will find a way where there is none. We build the Nigeria of your dream in your lifetime; it’s a promise you can depend on because adding value is my domain. I’m not an island of knowledge, but I have the capacity to gather the best people, and together we will build this country. I’ll make our Diversity a source of Prosperity for this nation.’

Asiwaju accentuated that making diversity works in the national economic and democratic made him to build bridges across Nigeria, and with exceptional quality of strategizing as one of the youngest strategists with the late Yar’Adua, and I quote: ‘My political history is full of long-abiding relationships and support for the North. My greatest rival, Atiku Abubakar, met me with the late Yar’Adua. I was one of the youngest strategists with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. I started here in the North. Atiku met me with Yar’Adua after he left Nigeria Customs freshly. He met me strategising for Yar’adua…ask him…’ I can only confirm that one of Asiwaju’s wealth-creation strategies is to implement a diversity agenda in a way that leads to equal opportunities and a happier, more engaged team. If this is not the case, then why was the youngest Southerner strategist at the time collaborating diligently with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a northerner with broad political influence? By empowering a culture of resilience and tenacity, Asiwaju surely knows how to create a culture that values learning and implementing strategies from various perspectives.

When Asiwaju was questioned about climate change at the same gathering, he articulated his response to emphasise his mastery of wealth creation. Sure enough! Deniers of climate change will assert that there is no evidence that natural climate voices cause differences. Nevertheless, Asiwaju directly applies his wealth creation mastery to this situation! Don’t expect compliance if the West doesn’t guarantee the financial benefits of this policy! It’s an excellent response; In light of their policies for increasing wealth, the UK recently reversed its position on this demand related to climate change. Britain’s fracking ban must be lifted due to the energy crisis, sparking a long-running debate. Asiwaju responded that Nigeria, as a developing nation, should primarily rely on what is available to create wealth to move from developing status to an expanded level if Britain could do that in the interest of resolving the current energy crisis.

Asiwaju demonstrated exceptional proficiency in utilising diversity to achieve national prosperity, asserting that diversity is vital beyond the executive level. Nigerian states should work together at every level to determine their competitive advantages. People have a responsibility to share the things they do every day with their intended audiences and potential customers: help them produce better goods, provide better services, and generate more revenue for the population as a whole. Lagos is a constant reminder of Asiwaju’s remarkable capacity for transformation, mastery of the framework for wealth creation, and governance skills. Others, including those who have held positions of authority for extended periods and even at higher levels, do not have any record of wealth creation encounter except using government resources to make themselves. In contrast, Asiwaju has tangible evidence of Lagos’s enormous growth during his time as governor. Asiwaju’s accomplishments in Lagos serve as an admirable wealth-creation model for the growth of Nigeria into the prosperous Federal Republic if elected the next president of Nigeria.

Notably, before entering politics, Asiwaju had acquired sufficient wealth as a senior member of Mobil Oil Producing. On the other hand, other politicians running for president in 2023 could not provide evidence of wealth creation outside of their official responsibilities. As an elected official, a presidential candidate, for instance, established a private university. One other candidate, according to the evidence, used state funds to support family businesses as the state’s chief executive. Asiwaju was busy creating wealth and establishing his teams in Nigeria. At the same time, other former top executives of States of the Federation were busy shipping the resources of their states abroad and developing foreign economies. In Nigeria today, those businesses employ a few thousand, if not millions, of breadwinners.

Asiwaju’s mastery of the phenomenon of wealth creation is demonstrated by numerous examples. At about N600 million per month, Asiwaju met Lagos IGR, leaving it at N12-14 billion per month. Asiwaju paid salaries and pensions regularly for three and a half years while the PDP government led by Obasanjo seized Lagos allocations despite Supreme Court’s ruling against the action. The payment for the allocation to Fasola’s government came from Yardua. Asiwaju created LASTMA through his mastery of wealth creation and core leadership qualities, which the then-Federal Government copied to create FERMA.

When we consider where Lagos was before Asiwaju assumed its governorship seat and where it is now, with his enormous influence looming in the governance of Lagos, we will appreciate Asiwaju’s ebullient capacity and why he remains the undisputed candidate with the proven competence and ability to transform Nigeria into the desired land of prosperity where everyone stands to benefit. The success that Asiwaju achieved in Lagos serves as a reminder that people with different experiences and backgrounds may also perceive the same problem differently and come up with other solutions, particularly when an actual master of wealth creation leads the team. Additionally, employing such a leadership style increases the likelihood that one of those solutions will be successful, highlighting the significance of being adaptable in a dynamic business and democratic environment.

Today’s case study in developmental economics is the enormous transformation that Lagos has undergone since Asiwaju took office, as well as the apparent economic potential of the state. Obviously, this is an example of how a leader’s intellect can have a significant impact on the fortunes of a state and a nation. Asiwaju made a substantial difference in Nigeria by skilfully deploying capacity, severely lacking in the country’s leadership ranks. As a result of his efforts, the fortunes of millions of Nigerians improved, which makes a significant difference in a nation that severely lacks cerebral and competent leadership. Lekki was born when Asiwaju saw a massive opportunity in a filthy, waterlogged landmass. Lekki is now a swath of a sprawling metropolis inhabited by upscale Nigerians and with a net land value that is higher than the average upscale environment in Nigeria. Asiwaju built Lekki with an excellent mind for wealth creation. Lekki has now encroached on nearby suburbs like Ajah, Badore, and others, and the value of its land continues to rise with each passing day. Lekki resulted from Asiwaju’s innovative thinking, determination to succeed, and an unquenchable thirst for success.

When discussing Asiwaju’s mastery of wealth creation and transformative power, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, now affectionately referred to as the Nigerian Dubai, is also phenomenal. The largest refinery in the world, Africa’s largest fertiliser company, and a deep-sea port are all located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone today, affecting the daily lives of millions of Nigerians. No one will ever be able to quantify the economic potential of the Lekki Free Trade Zone when it reaches its full potential because the zone is still in its infancy.

The gradual opening of Eko Atlantic City illustrates Asiwaju’s incomprehensible capacity for transformation with the prowess of wealth creation. The idea of chasing the raging Atlantic Ocean, which would then pose a threat to Victoria Island as a whole and deep within its borders, was developed by Asiwaju. He started the project, which later governments took over. Eko Atlantic City has emerged as a new preferred city as a significant portion of the ocean has been reclaimed. The city is known for its high value because it is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world today. The United States of America is currently building the largest embassy in the world in that city! Nigerians must give due to Asiwaju’s profound creativity and transformational capacity. By simply imagining the value that Eko Atlantic City stands to bring to Nigeria and the lives of millions of Nigerians, you will understand why no one in the current race for the presidency of Nigeria comes close to Asiwaju in his capacity to use the tools of government to create wealth, transform the fortunes and lives of millions of Nigerians.

We cannot conclude the story without looking at the significant transformation of the transportation sector in Lagos, which shows how Asiwaju used his transformative capacity to change lives. When he arrived in Lagos in 1999, the state’s growth and progress were hampered by a disorganised, turbulent, riotous, and messy transportation system. He showed up and got to work. He established LASTMA with the primary goal of enforcing road usage discipline and cleaning up the industry’s soiled image. After that, he recited the rules for how to use the road and established a schedule for gradually eliminating the rickety and shabby buses, which were Lagos’s primary mode of public transportation. He then started the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, used in many progressive cities and metropolises worldwide. He also promised that the transportation system in Lagos would change in a record amount of time.

In Lagos, the BRT program is currently very successful and working well. In order to meet the increasing requirements of Lagosians, additional innovations and routes are being added to the program. In addition, smaller yellow buses, despite still being present, are being phased out of Lagos’ roads in favour of the shabby giant molue buses, which are now entirely extinct. Today, Lagos’ streets are cleaner and more accessible, and drivers are more disciplined and responsible when using the roads.

As the first African city to construct and operate its own intra-city rail transportation, Lagos will soon begin intra-city rail transportation near the completion of the blue and red rail lines. In a similar vein, Lagos operates a cutting-edge ferry service that carries hundreds of thousands of commuters daily across the vast waterways of the city. At the moment, Lagos has available land, rail, and water transportation systems; the only state in Nigeria with this right.

All of these factors contribute to the transformation of the transportation system in Lagos, which has not only seen the transportation sector transition from its odious primordial past to a new system that is more friendly, continues to expand by the day and empowers millions of Lagosians. Another way Asiwaju impacted the lives of millions of Lagosians was by establishing additional local government councils.

Asiwaju, a true democrat and a master of wealth-creator, sees the need to use democratic principles to improve people’s lives. He was the first governor to initiate the establishment of other local councils to not only bring governance closer to the people but also to provide viable, life-altering employment opportunities and empower Lagosians. He thought of local councils as a way to reach more people and give them more power.

The PDP federal government did not have the privilege of sharing Asiwaju’s grand vision due to its narrow understanding of governance and abject pettiness. As a result, it repressed Lagos and deceitfully seized the state’s allocations to local government during Asiwaju’s eight years as governor. Asiwaju never let this stop him from filing numerous legal challenges to this offensive act. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that the action was illegal, the PDP government continued to withhold the Lagos LG allocation, even though he won all of the cases. But this didn’t stop Asiwaju from running the new local councils as the Local Council Development Authority.

The LCDAs are now thriving administrative councils that employ hundreds of thousands of Lagosians and provide various administrative services to the city’s residents. That is Asiwaju’s crucial transformative capacity, mastery of wealth creation, backed by a tremendous drive to complete tasks and achieve results. Because of this, he refused to give in to the bullying tactics of the Obasanjo/PDP federal government, which was determined to sabotage his efforts to establish these additional centres of governance that now significantly boost Lagos’ economy and the fortunes of its residents.

When Asiwaju was elected governor of Lagos, he had a big plan to put an end to the terrible power crisis that hampered the activities of the state power section. He came up with the idea of distributing and producing power in different ways. He then included the American power company, Enron, in the process of privatizing power generation and distribution. The PDP federal government hampered and obstructed the Enron project, claiming that power is on the exclusive list (which only the federal government can operate). Consequently, Nigeria missed out on a significant opportunity for private participation in the power sector, maintaining the hegemony of the state power company. As a result of losing Asiwaju’s initiative, power quality has deteriorated frequently, and the state power company has no solution. If the Enron project had been allowed to flourish, Nigeria would have resolved its intractable power issue by now. Asiwaju knows exactly how the workplace will change in the future, without a doubt. Nigerians can rely on Asiwaju to address the problem of inadequate power supply if he is elected president, using this indicator and other indicators as a timeline for a long-term, one-of-a-kind model of wealth creation for the entire nation.

Georgian Cup’s serial winners, El-Amin polo team , will be targeting a grandeur 30th celebration of high-goal polo dominance during the eagerly anticipated 2025 Kaduna International Polo Tournament expected to hold later this month.

El-Amin Patron who doubles as the President of Kaduna Polo Club, Mohammad Babangida, earlier in the year declared that the 2025 edition of the Kaduna International Polo Tournament will be the best organized in years with more teams and exciting games on a re-laid pitch at the Murtala Square venue for the grand fiesta.

Though details on the epoch celebration are still sketchy, the team’s long-standing history of success and dominance in the sport, including winning the Georgian Cup and sponsoring various tournaments, suggests that a significant and glamorous event awaits everyone.

Babangida hinted that Kaduna Polo Club will put lots of preparation into the polo tournament to ensure that it is unique in the history of the club, adding that the Ahmadu Yakubu Club House will be agog throughout the ten days duration of the tournament.

‘It’s a new beginning for Kaduna Polo Club, it’s a new leadership, we have been elected for about a year plus and we have been working, renovating the pitch and putting the facilities in the best shape,’ Babangida noted. ‘We want to host a unique tournament to showcase the pitch, we want to bring back the glory days of the premier club, Kaduna Polo Club and the most prestigious trophy in Africa, the Georgian Cup.’

He added: ‘We hope to host a special tournament that will celebrate milestones of the ‘game of kings’ in Kaduna and indeed across the country. We are banking on the goodwill of everyone, our sponsors and partners to support us to make this tournament thrilling and memorable.’

Regarded as Nigeria’s most successful and dominant high-goal power house in polo, El-Amin has won numerous tournaments and trophies both nationally and internationally. They hold the record for winning the prestigious Georgian Cup a record 15 times.

Individually, the El-Amin patron, Babangida, has won the Georgian Cup for a record 16 times. He won it 15 times with El-Amin and once with Kaduna Kakuri in the year 2000.

The Kaduna Polo boss and his El- Amin stars are also the first and only African team to have participated in the Dubai Gold Cup series and the Al-Habtoor Cup Challenge in Dubai.

Babangida has also played a significant role in Nigerian polo, even captaining the Nigerian Polo Eagles to the Federation of International Polo World Cup tournament in Malaysia in 2011 and the Nations Cup of polo in South Africa.

Kaduna remained the home of the glittering Georgian Trophy which was contested for in Nigeria by high-goal teams way back in 1919. Other major prizes that would be carted home by the winners during the upcoming 2025 Kaduna polo festival include the Emir of Katsina Cup, Imani Cup and El Amin Cup.

First Vice President Kaduna Polo Club General Kapeh Kazir who superintends preparation for international event alongside the Tournament Manager Malam Atiku Abubakar Saleh, said the tourney will be the best organized in recent times to make up for the club’s inability to host the fiesta last year due to African Horse Sickness {AHS}

He listed other top laurels that would be at stake during the prestigious polo festival to include Isa Kaita, Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Cup, Sardauna Cup, Kere Ahmed Cup, Shehu Kangiwa Cup, Musa Yar’Adua Cup, Dangote Cup and Beginners Cup and among others.

‘We are in high spirits preparing for the 2025 Kaduna International Polo Tournament. Right now, Kaduna Polo Club is ready as we are expecting lots of new selected cups because there are lots of sponsors that have shown interest in sponsoring our tournament,’ the amiable Kapeh assured.

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has said that he is committed to the welfare of the people.

He flagged off a series of sweeping reforms with the launch of expanded health insurance coverage, revitalization of primary healthcare centres across the state, and new incentives for medical personnel.

Ododo described the initiatives as ‘a major step towards making quality healthcare accessible, affordable, and sustainable for every Kogite.’ He assured that his administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure while prioritizing the welfare of health workers.

In line with this commitment, the governor announced a N300,000 allowance for medical doctors posted to rural areas of the state to encourage service in hard-to-reach communities. He also revealed plans to sponsor the training of 100 medical doctors annually in partnership with the Federal University, Lokoja; Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; and the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, as part of government’s long-term strategy to address manpower gaps in the health sector.

Ododo further disclosed that doctors’ quarters would be built in strategic parts of the state, while qualified Kogites would continue to benefit from new appointments into the healthcare system.

While assuring support to health professionals, the Governor stressed that security remains critical to the wellbeing of citizens. He raised concerns over the security risks posed by trailer parks at Zariagi and Osara, which, according to intelligence reports, had become hideouts for criminal elements disguised as truck drivers.

The Governor gave operators of the parks a one-month grace period to vacate the locations, after which no trailer will be allowed to park there or in any other unauthorized area of the state, particularly during hours prohibited by law. He directed security agencies to ensure full enforcement of the order, saying the measure is necessary to deny criminals any safe haven and strengthen security operations across Kogi State.

Governor Ododo expressed gratitude to development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, CIHP, AHF, Malaria Consortium, and Marie Stopes International, for their support in improving healthcare delivery in Kogi State.

Reaffirming his administration’s focus on people-centred governance, the governor said: ‘Together, we are building a Kogi State where good health is a right, not a privilege; where security is guaranteed, and where every citizen has a fair chance to live, work, and prosper’.

General Pastor of Ark International Assembly, Murphy Nwaneri, has called on churches to support Federal Government’s efforts to promote development, warning that Nigeria’s growth cannot be left to the President alone.

Speaking at the church’s inaugural service and two years anniversary celebration, Nwaneri charged Christian leaders to look beyond the pulpit and contribute to the progress of the nation.

‘The church should help government promote development. The country should not be left for the President alone. He is doing his best and should be commended, not criticised. Every citizen has a role to play in Nigeria’s growth,’ he said.

Nwaneri urged church members and leaders to work hand in hand with government institutions, emphasizing that building a strong nation requires unity and shared responsibility.

According to him, revival and community transformation must go beyond spiritual teachings to include support for policies that improve the lives of citizens.

He added that while political regulations may affect institutions temporarily, no human law can undermine the divine role of the church in shaping society.

Nwaneri reaffirmed that the Ark International Assembly was not established to compete with existing denominations but to ‘uphold the truth of God’ and contribute to building a better Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, Deacon Igwe Onyedickachi described the church as a ‘balance’ in national development, saying it helps to build morally, mentally, and spiritually sound citizens.

‘From time immemorial, government and the church have worked together because the church is at the grassroots. By grooming responsible citizens, the church indirectly strengthens governance,’ he said.

As part of its outreach during the anniversary, the Ark International Assembly provided free medical care to residents in its host community, underscoring its commitment to social development.

The church, which was officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2020, traces its origins to a divine call received by Pastor Nwaneri over two decades ago.

Defending champion Coco Gauff brushed aside unseeded Eva Lys in straight sets on Thursday to power into her third consecutive China Open semi-final.

The 21-year-old won 6-3, 6-4 and the world number three next plays US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova in an all-American affair in Beijing.

‘I’m happy with how I played today,’ Gauff, seeded two, said. ‘(Lys is) a tough opponent.

‘She hit some incredible shots off the run, so I was just trying my best to stay aggressive.’

After an even start to their quarter-final Gauff began to seize control, winning the first set when the German fired long.

‘I think I may be played one passive point in this game, but after that I think I played good tennis,’ Gauff added.

Lys stunned Elena Rybakina en route to the last eight for her first-ever top-10 win but beating the reigning French Open champion was a step too far.

The 23-year-old threw her racquet at one point in the second set after losing a chance to break, and though she stayed in it a bit longer, Gauff closed out in 1h 28mins, her quickest match yet of the tournament.

Third seed Anisimova had a longer struggle, coming back to beat sixth-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-4 in a gruelling 2 hours and 47 minutes.

There was a moment of tension in the second game of the third set when Paolini coughed and the umpire replaced Anisimova’s ace with a first serve.

Anisimova, who lost the US Open final to Aryna Sabalenka last month, survived six break points to level at 4-4 and closed out.

‘It was super tough,’ the 24-year-old said.

‘It’s been a while since I played (Paolini) and today. had everything.’

Her win in the Chinese capital earned her a first-ever appearance in the WTA Finals.

‘It’s my first time that I’m gonna play there and it was a goal that I set for myself at the beginning of the year,’ she said.

The draw has opened up for the two Americans.

World number one Sabalenka of Belarus is not in the Chinese capital after she withdrew due to a small injury before the tournament.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek, ranked 2nd , crashed out of the event Wednesday in a three-set loss to American Emma Navarro.

Sixteenth-seeded Navarro plays fellow American Jessica Pegula, the fifth seed, in the quarter-finals.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued stern warnings to contractors handling failed federal roads in Edo State, threatening to revoke contracts of those who fail to return to the site.

Umahi also vowed to redeploy heads of the ministry in states where palliative works are neglected, stressing the need to ease the movement of motorists.

He gave the warning during an inspection tour of federal roads in Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts, accompanied by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The team visited Ujuelen, the Ekpoma stretch of the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja Expressway, Egbele in Uromi, sections of the Benin-Asaba Expressway under reconstruction, and the Ewu-Agbor road.

During the visit, Umahi urged the governor to intensify support for road users and officially handed over the completion of one carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government. He explained that while the Federal Ministry of Works would provide the design, the state government would handle execution.

The minister emphasized that contractors have a moral responsibility to assist with remedial work on the nation’s highways.

According to him, ‘You have to hold me responsible for the heavy traffic on the highway because the President has given every assistance to ensure that this road, all the way from Warri down to Abuja, is in very good condition. The President has directed that none of this project should not stop. So if you see any of them stopping, it is our responsibility. And we owe the public very serious apologies.

‘I’ve been announcing that the President has directed that all contractors be back on site. He has saved money to pay them. I’m directing them to get back to the site. I’m commending them because they have not been paid even a kobo in terms of mobilization. So I commend them for starting. When I terminate the job, you can go and demarket me. You can go and say all kinds of nonsense about me. But my conscience is before God. I work for God. I work for the President. And so I’m very courageous to do the right thing. And this is very important. And when you are doing the right thing, no matter the attack you have, God will always be with you.

‘One of the greatest problems we have is that we have about six companies. They have more than 25 jobs each. And these were inherited jobs from the past administration. So they don’t have the personnel. They don’t have the equipment to man those jobs. So they go into economic politics. And say, Oh, there is rain. Oh, there is compensation. But I’m poised to address such politics. People are suffering.

‘The President is committed to righting the wrongs of the past. When we came on board and I challenged anybody, tell me any state outside what the governors are doing that has a hundred kilometers of road that you can pass without a challenge.’

Governor Okpbholo, on his part, thanked President Tinubu for prioritizing Edo roads.

He described the APC as a progressive party delivering tangible results, assuring that Edo’s promise of bloc vote for the president in 2027 is non-negotiable.

‘What our administration is doing is visible to everyone. In the past, the State Government put up signs saying ‘please bear with us. This is a federal road.’ But Edo people use these roads, and we cannot abandon them. President Tinubu has changed the narrative, and our people are grateful. The by-election results have shown that Edo people have rejected the PDP and embraced APC,’ the governor said.

Afrobeat sensation Tiwa Savage headlined the recent edition of Trace Live on Friday, September 26, 2025, and she delivered a high-energy performance at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event, which drew a packed crowd of fans, influencers, and industry stakeholders, was sponsored by Lord’s Dry Gin, marking another chapter in the brand’s ongoing partnership with the Trace Live platform.

The evening opened with excitement as guests sauntered into the intimate venue, anticipating a night of live music led by one of Nigeria’s most iconic artists. With a career spanning nearly 15 years, Tiwa Savage brought a mix of classic hits and new releases, creating a multigenerational experience for her fans.

Her set list included fan favourites like ‘Kele Kele Love,’ ‘Eminado,’ ‘All Over,’ and her more recent collaborations that have continued to cement her place in the global Afrobeat movement.

Taking a brief moment during her performance, Tiwa Savage addressed the crowd, saying, ‘Lagos will always be home for me, every time I step on a stage here, it feels like family, thank you for riding with me all these years, from the early days till now, I love you all deeply.’

Lord’s Dry Gin, the event’s headline sponsor, has been a long-term supporter of the Trace Live series, with this partnership now running for over three years. According to Valentine Dibia, PR and Digital Manager for Lord’s Dry Gin, the sponsorship aligns with the brand’s vision and core target audience. Speaking during a media interaction at the event, Dibia said the platform represents an ideal space for brand engagement.

He said, ‘Lord’s Gin has been a part of Trace Live for more than three years. It aligns with the brand ethos for distinguished ladies and gentlemen and Lord’s Dry Gin sees the Trace platform as one of the biggest avenues by which to reach our target audience.’

Continuing, he said, ‘Tiwa Savage is referred to as the Queen of Afrobeat, she has a career longevity that spans almost 15 years as an A-list artiste. This puts her across multiple generations with a broad fanbase, and I believe she did exceptionally well to connect across generations both with her music and her performance.’

Bayelsa State Chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has scored Governor Douye Diri high on performance, saying he ranks above his predecessors in infrastructural development.

IPAC, in a statement by its state Chair, Simeon Imomotimi, and Secretary, Pastor Peace Oruama, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence and 29th anniversary of Bayelsa creation, they said Diri had performed well in office.

The statement said: ‘Without mincing words, Senator Douye Diri, in our assessment, stands tall and unmatched among the persons that have administered the state to this point in terms of infrastructural development.’

IPAC noted that Diri was most outstanding in road network, social services, health, transportation, sports, health among others.

On road network, IPAC said the governor had done well to connect all the communities in the state listing Glory Land Drive phases two and three: the bridge at Imgbi junction linking Glory Land Drive; new Yenagoa city, Airport Road; AIT/Igbogene outer ring road; Onuebum/Otuoke road; expansion of Etegwe/Amassoma road: Prosco road and Ogu/Akaba/Okodi road, among others, as the governor’s interventions.

The statement said: ‘Senator Diri’s most outstanding achievement in road construction is the completion of earlier sections and furthering of new sections of three senatorial roads, namely Ekeremor/Agge road; Nembe/Brass and Angiama/Oporoma road with the bridge at Angiama near completion with spurs to Otuan, Enewari and other communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government’.

IPAC further lauded Diri for uplifting education in Bayelsa through employment of young Bayelsa graduates to fill up vacant positions in post-primary school board as classroom teachers; building and upgrading of school facilities, establishment of technical colleges to promote vocational skills and accreditation of new courses and programmes in the higher institutions.

The council insisted the governor had done well in health by encouraging primary health care services; establishing health a centre in each ward; referral hospitals in each local government and posting doctors to reside in rural areas.

On social services and sports, IPAC said: ‘Other indices for measuring Diri’s performance is provision of social amenities and services for Bayelsans.

‘Such lofty social amenities and services provided by Governor Diri include the modern gas turbine at Elebele, which is near completion; the first governor to Implement the local government reforms by voting out funds and clearing gratuities and pensions arears owed local government retirees.

‘Similar payment and clearance of outstanding gratuities and pensions arrears have also been effected.

‘We commend the governor for the construction of the Olympic standard stadium at Igbogene and placing Bayelsa in the front burner of sports through support of our sports men and women.

‘IPAC lauds Diri for a job well done in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

‘However, like Oliver Twist, we appeal to His Excellency to do more by providing portable drinking water for Bayesans mostly those resident in Yenagoa and the LGA headquarters.

‘It also our further plea for His Excellency to also build units of low cost houses at Yenagoa and the LGA headquarters to accommodate the rapidly increasing urban and rural population in the state

‘This notwithstanding, we assure His Excellency of our full cooperation realising that it is only through our collective partnering that the dreams of turning our state into an Eldorado will be achieved.’

A shareholder-rights battle has erupted over the 2023 acquisition of Pan African Towers (PAT), with former Chief Executive Officer, Azeez Amida, suing private equity giants, Development Partners International (DPI), Verod Capital, and their limited partners at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

At the heart of the suit, FHC/L/MISC/608/2025, is Amida’s claim that the investors reneged on a binding agreement to allocate him a five per cent equity stake under a management buy-out arrangement that facilitated the takeover of PAT.

Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending applications-including an interlocutory injunction motion aimed at blocking potential sale or transfer of DPI and Verod’s stake in PAT until the matter is resolved.

Amida’s legal team, led by Prof. ‘Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), alerted the court to a ‘deliberate plan’ by the defendants to offload equity in PAT Holding Limited, the vehicle through which the acquisition was structured.

The defendants, including DPI, Verod Capital Management Limited, Verod Capital Growth Fund III LP, African Development Partners III LP, and PAT Holding Limited, were absent and unrepresented in court.

While the plaintiff is seeking orders to safeguard his alleged stake, the defendants filed an objection challenging competence of the suit.

The judge declined to preemptively freeze the shareholding structure, stressing such relief will be determined when the motion is argued.

The matter has been adjourned to January 15, 2026, for the court to consolidate and hear the pending applications.

Amida, who became chief executive of PAT in 2022 amid financial distress, spearheaded a turnaround that saw revenue climb from N10 billion to N15 billion and EBITDA rise from N4 billion to N6.5 billion.

The company’s liabilities were also reduced, and key telco contracts renewed.

With the company’s original shareholders seeking an exit, Amida proposed a local management buy-out to keep the company Nigerian-owned.

He introduced DPI and Verod as funding partners, and the trio successfully closed a full acquisition of PAT.

According to Amida, a term sheet-now before the court clearly documented his entitlement to a 5% equity stake as part of the MBO.

He claimed that despite multiple post-closing meetings, the allocation was never finalised, and in November 2024 he was ousted as CEO.

By then, PAT’s financial performance had reportedly quadrupled under his leadership. Amida insists the investors are unjustly withholding the equity promised to him, effectively breaching both shareholder and contractual rights.

Further hearing has been adjourned till January 5, 2026