Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme is receiving growing support from public institutions, private-sector organisations and employee cooperatives.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has become a frontrunner in the advancement of the homeownership aspirations of workers.

In what has become one of the most ambitious projects of the Federal Government, the Renewed Hope Cities Programme is a major housing initiative being delivered through a public-private partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and private-sector development partners such as Ceezali Limited and Citec International Estate Limited, with the objective of providing 100,000 housing units for Nigerians in different parts of the country.

The programme is designed not only to increase the supply of housing but also to create practical pathways through which workers and families can access and finance decent homes.

A significant development under the programme is the participation of NMDPRA staff and their cooperative structures, supported by the commitment of the Authority and its management to facilitate homeownership for its workforce.

Through this institutional support, NMDPRA has provided financial assistance towards the equity contribution required by participating staff, enabling employees to subscribe to housing units under the Renewed Hope Cities Programme.

This support has enabled the first batch of over 428 NMDPRA staff members to participate in the programme and secure allocations across the Renewed Hope developments in Abuja, Kano and Lagos.

The initiative demonstrates how government institutions can complement the Federal Government’s housing agenda by supporting their employees in meeting the initial equity requirements associated with home acquisition.

For NMDPRA, the initiative also represents an investment in employee welfare and provides staff with an opportunity to build long-term household assets through structured homeownership.

The NMDPRA experience presents a potentially replicable model for other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), government-owned institutions, corporations and organised cooperatives seeking practical ways to support their employees in achieving homeownership.

The Executive Management of NUPRC (Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission) and NRS (National Revenue Service) are also committed to providing financial support for their staffs and coperatives members to ensure they participate fully in securing their homes in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu renewed hope housing projects in different part of the country.

Rather than leaving employees to independently bear the full burden of the initial equity requirement, institutions can explore structured employee-support arrangements that enable qualified staff to access housing while spreading the financial obligation over an agreed period.

Under the NMDPRA arrangement, participating staff have been supported in meeting their equity obligations, while the balance of the property cost can be financed through applicable mortgage arrangements and other instalment payment plans for eligible beneficiaries.

This type of institutional participation can strengthen the ability of organised workers to access housing finance and participate in large-scale government housing initiatives.

The growing participation in the Renewed Hope Cities Programme is also being supported by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Dr. Muttaqha Rabe, who has championed a comprehensive reform agenda for the housing sector, with emphasis on addressing the structural challenges that have historically limited access to housing and housing finance.

The efforts of the Minister have been reflected in the increasing participation of individuals, cooperatives, companies and public institutions. Subscribers have been drawn from diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy, including oil and gas, energy, telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), banking and finance, professional services and the public sector.

Public-sector participation has included employees and cooperatives associated with institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Ministry of Finance, NDIC, Family Homes Funds Ltd., NSIA, PENGASSAN, NCC, NNPC and SEC, among others.

The programme has also attracted significant participation from private-sector cooperatives, including SEPLAT and NLNG, demonstrating the broadening appeal of structured institutional homeownership.

The participation of mortgage and housing-finance institutions, including FMBN and other financial partners, is also helping to provide financing pathways for eligible subscribers seeking to fund the balance of their housing acquisition.

The private-sector consortium delivering the Renewed Hope developments continues to advance construction across multiple locations.

In Abuja, construction at Karsana has progressed significantly, with approximately 2,500 housing units being developed and completed. In Janguza, Kano, the development has progressed through its initial phases, with 1,000 completed units forming part of the programme’s growing delivery portfolio.

In Lagos, construction is ongoing at the 2004 Estate along the Lekki Coastal Road, providing another major housing destination under the programme.

The consortium is also expanding its development pipeline to other locations, including Jibi and Kagini, both in Abuja, as well as Asaba in Delta State and Ibadan in Oyo State, as part of efforts to extend the reach of the Renewed Hope housing initiative beyond the initial project locations.

These developments demonstrate the programme’s focus on creating housing at scale while responding to demand from organised groups, cooperatives, public institutions, private-sector employees, traders, business owners and individual subscribers.

One of the distinguishing features of the Renewed Hope Cities Programme is its focus on connecting housing delivery with housing finance. The objective is not simply to construct houses but to create a pathway through which eligible Nigerians can acquire them through a combination of equity contributions, mortgage financing and structured payment arrangements.

The participation of institutions such as NMDPRA demonstrates the importance of this approach. By supporting employees with the initial equity requirement and connecting them to appropriate mortgage financing, employers and cooperatives can help bridge one of the major barriers to homeownership.

The NMDPRA experience, therefore, provides an important message to other institutions seeking to support their employees in owning homes. Such support can serve not only as an employee-welfare initiative but also as a strategic investment in workforce stability, financial security and long-term employee retention.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Cities Programme continues to expand, there is an opportunity for more MDAs, public institutions, private-sector organisations and cooperatives to participate actively.

Institutions can explore different models of employee support, including equity assistance, cooperative-backed financing, structured contributions and other arrangements that can complement mortgage financing.

Such participation can help transform housing from an individual aspiration into an institutionally supported pathway to homeownership, with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Family Homes Funds Limited and other development partners supporting efforts to make mortgage financing available to beneficiaries.

The NMDPRA model demonstrates what is possible when an institution aligns its employee-welfare objectives with a national housing initiative.

The growing participation of NMDPRA staff, cooperatives, corporate organisations and individual subscribers demonstrates that the Renewed Hope Cities Programme is developing into a broader housing ecosystem involving government, developers, employers, cooperatives, mortgage institutions and beneficiaries.

The success of this model has also depended on the quality of access roads provided, as road infrastructure is a critical component of successful housing delivery.

The implementation of the Presidency’s directives by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has resulted in the provision of significant road infrastructure supporting the Renewed Hope Cities development at Karsana, Abuja.

The completion of the 10.8-kilometre access road infrastructure is particularly important because housing developments cannot function effectively without the supporting transportation and urban infrastructure required to connect residents to employment, commerce, education and other essential services.

The Karsana experience demonstrates the importance of coordination between housing delivery and the provision of enabling infrastructure.

For the 430 NMDPRA staff participating in the programme, the journey towards homeownership has already begun. For other MDAs and organisations, the NMDPRA experience provides an opportunity to consider how institutional support can help their employees participate in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope housing initiative.

At the event, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Muttaqha Darma, commended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for supporting access to affordable housing for its workers under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.

Darma said the initiative was significant in the face of Nigeria’s huge housing deficit, which he put at more than 16 million housing units needed to accommodate over 100 million unhoused Nigerians.

He said the development demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government institutions in addressing the country’s housing challenge.

Earlier, the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar, said about 430 members of staff in Abuja, Kano and Lagos were receiving allocation letters under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.

Umar described the development as a practical demonstration of how government policies could translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

The NMDPRA boss said the Authority considered staff welfare an important component of institutional performance.

He said workers who had peace of mind and confidence in their personal future would be better positioned to contribute their skills and expertise to the Authority’s national mandate.

Umar commended the Authority Staff Cooperative Society, the Renewed Hope Access to Housing Committee and other institutional partners for facilitating the housing initiative.

The Renewed hope cities project of Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has received tremendous supports from Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Family Homes Funds Ltd, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Keystone Bank, the only Commercial Bank that has provided support for the project.

Also speaking, the FMBN Managing Director, Mr Shehu Osidi, said the NMDPRA staff had subscribed to 430 housing units in Karsana, Abuja, and Janguza, Kano.

Osidi said 197 National Housing Fund mortgage applications valued at about N8.3 billion were being packaged for submission to FMBN.

He said FMBN had provided a N100 billion off-take guarantee for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, commencing with the Karsana project, in addition to N19.9 billion in direct funding.

Osidi said the interventions were designed to give developers greater certainty, facilitate construction financing and enable eligible workers to access completed houses through sustainable mortgage financing.

Meanwhile, the President of the Authority Staff Cooperative Society, Mr Abdullahi Auta, disclosed that more than 1,000 NMDPRA staff had applied for the housing initiative, but about 430 had so far been accommodated.

Auta appealed for continued support to enable more staff awaiting allocation to benefit from the scheme.

The Chief Commercial Officer of Renewed Hope SPV Limited , Mr Dare Makinde said Abuja accounted for 365 units in the first phase, comprising two-bedroom flats, three-bedroom flats and three-bedroom terrace duplexes with boys’ quarters.

According to Makinde, Kano had 14 units comprising three-bedroom and four-bedroom bungalows, fully detached houses and three-bedroom terrace duplexes with boys’ quarters.

He said Lagos had 56 units comprising two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments with boys’ quarters.

Makinde said a second phase of the project would be delivered next year to accommodate some applicants who could not benefit from the first phase.

Lagos State Government has launched a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Policy, with stakeholders calling for stronger coordination among states and institutions to tackle violence against women, children and other vulnerable persons.

The policy was unveiled yesterday at the National Convening of GBV State Coordinators.

The theme was ‘Strengthening a Unified and Coordinated Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.’

Welcoming participants to the two-day event, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), stressed the need for stronger coordination among states and institutions in tackling gender-based violence.

Pedro said the launch of the state’s policy would further strengthen the prevention framework and provide a structured approach to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.

He said the fight against GBV requires more than isolated interventions, stressing the importance of collaboration among justice-sector institutions, law enforcement agencies, health and social-welfare providers, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and communities.

According to him, stronger coordination would help close gaps in prevention, reporting, referral, protection and access to justice for survivors.

The opening session featured goodwill messages from the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Alogba; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi(SAN); and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS was also represented at the event.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the battle against gender-based violence cannot be won by government alone.

He said families, schools, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations and government have roles to play in preventing violence and protecting vulnerable Nigerians.

According to the governor, government must provide the leadership, systems and accountability required to bring the various efforts together.

He stressed the need to ensure that survivors do not have to navigate a maze of institutions before accessing assistance.

‘When survivors reach out for help, there must not be a maze of institutions between that person and justice. There must be a pathway to care, a pathway to justice and, ultimately, a pathway to healing and restoration,’ the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu revealed that more than 3,000 cases of domestic and sexual violence were handled through the state’s response system between September 2021 and July 2023.

He said each case represented a human life affected by violence and underscored the need for stronger prevention and response mechanisms.

The governor said Lagos has strengthened its institutions, response mechanisms, survivor support, access to justice, public awareness and prevention programmes, but added that more needed to be done.

He described the national convening as an opportunity for states to share experiences, identify gaps and learn from one another’s successes and challenges.

Sanwo-Olu said safety and dignity should be treated as a common national interest, while stressing the need to build institutions and systems capable of surviving changes in political and administrative leadership.

He stressed that policies must not merely exist as documents but should translate into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

The governor also called for a change in social attitudes that allow violence to persist, including silence around abuse, stigma against survivors and the tendency to excuse perpetrators.

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening institutions, protecting and supporting survivors, improving access to justice, deepening collaboration and addressing misconduct.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who was represented by Mrs Lawson Olubunmi, said gender-based violence remained a persistent violation of human dignity in the country.

He said that survivors have continued to face barriers in reporting incidents, accessing protective services and obtaining timely justice despite progress in legislation and institutional development.

She identified fragmented response systems, weak inter-agency collaboration and inconsistent case management as some of the challenges undermining the fight against GBV.

The minister called for closer cooperation among the judiciary, prosecution, law enforcement, legal-aid providers, health and social-welfare agencies, civil society organisations, and traditional and community structures.

Fagbemi stressed the need for stronger referral systems, standardised case-management protocols, reliable data collection and effective accountability mechanisms.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, called for sustained commitment and collective action to prevent GBV and protect women, children and other vulnerable persons.

The OML 30 Flow Stations Presidents-General Forum (PGF) has given Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) two weeks to address outstanding issues relating to payments to indigenous contractors, employment opportunities, scholarships and the implementation of Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) projects. The OML 30 is located in Urhobo land in Delta State.

The forum also called for greater consideration of qualified indigenous contractors in the award of projects within OML 30, the review and implementation of its scholarship programme, and employment opportunities for qualified graduates from host communities.

Other concerns raised by the forum include the payment of agreed stipends and appreciation payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders, as well as the implementation and award of contracts for already-scoped HCDT community projects.

The demands were contained in a letter signed by the Presidents-General of the affected communities, comprising Evwreni PG, Chief Kenneth Ukpebitere; Afiesere PG, Mr Luke Umukoro; PG Owhe, Engr Wilfred Atunu; PG Kokori, Mr George Eghwrude; and PG Effurun-Otor, Chief Godwin Ikolo.

Others are PG Uzere, Chief Onyagbodor E.; Eriemu CDC Chairman, Mr Ibebe Matthew; PG Oleh, Chief Unuafe Believe; PG Olomoro, Chief Anthony Ukpagha; PG Igbide, Ven. Hon. Augustine Aziakpono Ovie, JP; and PG Eruemukohwarien, Mr Anigboro Godwin.

The letter, addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HEOSL, was copied to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Delta State Government, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, security agencies, traditional rulers, OML 30 HCDT, relevant PIA authorities, Manager, Contracts and Procurement, HEOSL, Managing Director, NNPCL, Managing Director, Shoreline Limited, and Uherevie Trust.

The forum said it represented host communities in OML 30 and sought urgent attention to issues it described as affecting the welfare, economic development and relationship between the operating company and its host communities.

The statement said the concerns include delays in payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders, the review and implementation of scholarship programmes, employment opportunities for qualified indigenous graduates, award of contracts to qualified indigenous contractors, delayed payment of contract sums and the implementation of already-scoped HCDT projects.

The forum particularly called for an urgent review of the scholarship programme, employment opportunities for qualified youths from the host communities and increased participation of qualified indigenous contractors in projects within OML 30.

It said delays in payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders had generated concerns in the communities, noting that such payments had traditionally supported cordial relations between the operating company and its host communities.

The forum also called for the payment of outstanding contract sums owed to indigenous contractors and adherence to agreed contractual payment timelines, including mobilisation funds for future contracts where applicable.

It said greater participation of qualified contractors from OML 30 host communities would support local employment, capacity development and economic opportunities.

On education and employment, the forum called for the implementation of scholarship programmes which, it said, had not been implemented for the past year, as well as opportunities for qualified graduates from the host communities to join the company’s workforce.

The forum also expressed concern over delays in implementing projects already scoped under the OML 30 HCDT and urged the relevant authorities to proceed with the award of contracts for the projects to qualified contractors.

It said its preferred approach remained dialogue, consultation and partnership with the operating company and other stakeholders.

The forum, however, urged the relevant authorities to address the outstanding issues within the stipulated period in order to strengthen confidence and maintain peaceful relations between the company and its host communities.

It also called for compliance with relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly those relating to benefits accruing to host communities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement, saying failure to address the issues could result in protests at OML 30 facilities within its jurisdiction.

It appealed to the company and other stakeholders to act promptly to resolve the concerns and preserve the existing peaceful relationship between the operating company and its host communities.

Public Affairs Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PACAN) has urged political parties and candidates to make issue-based campaigns the centre of their activities ahead of next year’s general election.

It gave the advice in a statement by its President, Mr. Idris Tele-Olukoya and General Secretary, Mr Adekunle Okunade, in Lagos.

The association enjoined candidates to present their manifestos, policies and programmes rather than resorting to insults, name-calling and personal attacks.

It said political campaigns should provide Nigerians with clear information on how candidates intended to address challenges confronting the country, including insecurity, unemployment, education, health care, infrastructure and economic development.

According to the group, the increasing use of inflammatory language, character assassination and unsubstantiated allegations could distract the electorate from substantive issues and undermine the quality of democratic discourse.

PACAN appealed to political parties and their supporters to desist from recruiting or using youths as political thugs, stressing that young Nigerians should be engaged as legitimate participants in democratic processes, rather than being exposed to violence.

‘Parties should see Nigerian youths as partners in nation-building and not instruments for violence, intimidation or disruption of political activities,’ PACAN said.

It urged candidates and their supporters to avoid hate speech, ethnic or religious provocation, misinformation and other forms of communication capable of creating tension among citizens.

The association said political disagreements were normal in a democracy, but should be expressed through constructive debates, policy comparisons and respectful engagement, rather than attacks on the personality, family, ethnicity or religion of opponents.

‘Candidates should tell Nigerians what they intend to do differently, how they will achieve it and how their proposed policies will improve the lives of citizens,’ PACAN said.

The association said the media also have important responsibility to promote responsible political communication by giving adequate attention to manifestos, policy proposals and candidates’ records, while subjecting questionable claims to verification.

It urged political correspondents and other journalists covering the 2027 elections to remain professional, factual and balanced in their reportage, noting that responsible journalism was essential to informed participation in the electoral process.

Barau FC midfielder Stephen Wisdom believes the club can make a strong impact in the Nigeria Premier Football League following their impressive start to the season.

Wisdom spoke after helping the Maliya Boys defeat Abia Warriors 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, a performance that earned him the SWAN Man of the Match award.

The former Bayelsa United midfielder has become an important part of Barau’s midfield since earning a starting place against Ranchers Bees.

His performances have helped provide balance in midfield as Barau maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Attention now turns to their next league fixture against Sporting Lagos, and Wisdom says the team will travel with the intention of collecting maximum points.

‘We are not going to Lagos just to see the place. We are going there to fight for the three points,’ he said.

Wisdom believes Barau have the quality and confidence to build on their promising start as the season develops.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has called for increased investment in plant breeding innovations, agricultural research and institutional partnerships in order to achieve food security.

He made the call in his address at the opening of the 4th International Conference of the Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NPBA) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The conference, holding from Sept. 23 to 24, has the theme: ‘Leveraging Breeding Innovations and Strategic Partnerships for Agribusiness Investments, Stable Supply Chains and National Food Security in a Changing Climate’.

The minister, represented by Mr Bukar Musa, Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, said Nigeria’s food security challenges required responsive science, purposeful partnerships, sustained investment and innovations that could move from research centres to farmers and markets.

‘Plant breeding is a foundational part of that effort, and its greatest value will be realised when scientific excellence is connected to functioning markets, farmers’ needs, resilient supply chains and opportunities for investment,’ he said.

He said scientific crop improvement would only achieve its full value when innovations moved beyond laboratories and research plots into farmers’ fields, markets and processing facilities.

‘The development and deployment of improved crop varieties for both optimum and stress environments is therefore an important component of a resilient food system,’ he said.

According to him, farmers need varieties and production technologies capable of performing under different stresses while maintaining productivity, quality and market relevance.

He said this required strong seed systems, effective extension services, financing, market access, supportive regulation and greater private-sector participation.

‘This includes improving links between research institutions and agribusiness investors, strengthening seed multiplication and dissemination, supporting intellectual property and technology transfer arrangements, and creating clearer routes through which promising innovations can reach farmers at scale,’ he said.

The minister said the Research Innovation Exhibition at the conference would enable research and development institutions to showcase innovations, including officially released crop varieties, while engaging investors and other users of technology.

According to him, such platforms can help translate scientific knowledge into partnerships, enterprises, jobs and measurable productivity gains.

Kyari, however, stressed that no single institution could transform the agrifood system alone, noting that government, research institutions, universities, seed companies, agribusinesses, financial institutions, development partners and farmers all had complementary roles to play.

He urged participants to use the conference to identify practical collaborations, investment opportunities and policy actions that could extend beyond the event.

The minister also called for stronger South-South and other international collaborations while building Nigerian capacity and institutions in agricultural research and innovation.

According to him, the participation of scientists and stakeholders from Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world will provide opportunities to share evidence, technologies and lessons that could be adapted to local conditions.

Kyari commended the NPBA for sustaining its conference platform and engagement with public institutions, saying plant breeding remained important to discussions on food security, agribusiness, economic development and livelihoods.

Earlier, Prof. Victor Adetimirin, President of NPBA, said the association was committed to advancing plant breeding as a critical component of agricultural development and national food security.

Adetimirin said the association brought together plant breeders and professionals involved in crop improvement, including geneticists, biotechnologists and seed scientists, to promote scientific exchange, professional development, collaboration and advocacy.

He said the conference provided an opportunity for researchers, seed companies, farmers, processors, financial institutions, development partners, investors and government representatives to build partnerships capable of translating scientific innovations into products and enterprises.

According to him, the association was also committed to developing young plant breeders, researchers and agricultural scientists.

He said NPBA had supported 30 students across the country through its Students Travel Grants for the 2026 conference.

The conference features paper presentations, discussion panels, interactive sessions and engagements among stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

Highpoints of the event included the presentation of awards to key industry players in recognition of their contributions to plant breeding and agricultural development.

The event is attended by representatives of government agencies, research institutions, universities, seed companies, agribusinesses, development partners and other stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that NPBA is the professional body that brings together plant breeders and other professionals involved in crop improvement, genetics, biotechnology, seed science and related disciplines in Nigeria.

The association

provides a platform for scientific exchange, professional development, collaboration, advocacy and the advancement of plant breeding as a critical component of agricultural development and national food security.

Rivers Hoopers forward Peter Olisemeka has expressed delight after helping the club reclaim the Nigeria Premier Basketball League title and qualify for the 2027 Basketball Africa League.

Hoopers completed an unbeaten Final Four campaign in Port Harcourt to secure their seventh domestic title, a year after losing the championship decider 74-72 to Maktown Flyers.

Olisemeka played a key role in the 88-76 victory over Gboko City Chiefs, recording 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Hoopers later defeated Maktown Flyers 92-90 in overtime to complete their perfect run.

‘I’m excited that we won the championship and qualified for the BAL,’ Olisemeka said. ‘It has been a challenging season for me personally, but I’m happy that at the end of the day we achieved our goal.’

The forward is now looking forward to the BAL and wants the Nigerian champions to begin preparations early.

Hoopers return to the continental competition after missing the last edition. They finished third in 2024, their best BAL performance.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has charged chief executives of federal parastatals to take the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to the grassroots and counter what he described as disinformation surrounding the government’s economic reforms.

Akume said Nigerians must be adequately informed about the objectives and impact of the administration’s policies, insisting that the reforms were not designed to ‘imprison or impoverish Nigerians’.

The SGF spoke on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Forum of CEOs of Federal Parastatals, led by its Convener and Chairman, Dr Kazeem Kolawale Raji, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, urged heads of government agencies to use their nationwide structures and networks to improve public understanding of the administration’s programmes and achievements.

In a statement issued by Head of Information and Public Relations Department of the OSGF, Chris Ugwuegbulam, Akume said ‘in your various domains where your power is operative, ensure that people become aware of these achievements. Push this message down to the grassroots, because one thing I’ve observed in the policy right now is a lot of disinformation.

‘This reform policy is not meant to imprison or impoverish Nigerians, and that is the narrative that has been spread down to the grassroots. Push this message to help promote the image of this administration’, the SGF said.

Akume commended the forum for promoting the Renewed Hope Agenda within its members’ respective agencies and assured the chief executives of the institutional support of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in pursuing their objectives.

He also thanked the forum for conferring on him the position of Grand Patron, saying its organisational structure and projections made its proposed target of mobilising 10 million votes for President Tinubu achievable.

The SGF urged the forum to sustain its momentum and establish a structured framework for continuous engagement with the OSGF, stressing that effective communication would enable the government to track its objectives and strategic initiatives.

Earlier, Raji said the forum was prepared to mobilise 10 million votes for President Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election through what he described as lawful, ethical, peaceful and issue-based grassroots engagement.

He said the forum intended to leverage the extensive professional and community networks of federal agencies across the country to pursue the target.

Raji said one of the forum’s major objectives was to bridge the communication gap between government policies and Nigerians, adding that the achievements, reforms and measurable outcomes of the Tinubu administration must be properly documented and communicated with fidelity to facts.

He said the forum conferred the position of Grand Patron on Akume in recognition of his leadership, institutional stewardship and role in coordinating the machinery of the Federal Government.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr Chidiebere John Ezeamama, urged the forum to establish a work-related communication network with the OSGF to ensure that achievements of federal parastatals were transmitted to the office in real time for proper documentation.

Ezeamama also proposed the creation of a centralised digital platform to facilitate real-time information sharing, coordinate participation among federal agencies and track developmental milestones.

Lagos State Government has launched a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Policy, with stakeholders calling for stronger coordination among states and institutions to tackle violence against women, children and other vulnerable persons.

The policy was unveiled yesterday at the National Convening of GBV State Coordinators.

The theme was ‘Strengthening a Unified and Coordinated Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.’

Welcoming participants to the two-day event, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), stressed the need for stronger coordination among states and institutions in tackling gender-based violence.

Pedro said the launch of the state’s policy would further strengthen the prevention framework and provide a structured approach to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.

He said the fight against GBV requires more than isolated interventions, stressing the importance of collaboration among justice-sector institutions, law enforcement agencies, health and social-welfare providers, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and communities.

According to him, stronger coordination would help close gaps in prevention, reporting, referral, protection and access to justice for survivors.

The opening session featured goodwill messages from the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Alogba; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi(SAN); and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS was also represented at the event.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the battle against gender-based violence cannot be won by government alone.

He said families, schools, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations and government have roles to play in preventing violence and protecting vulnerable Nigerians.

According to the governor, government must provide the leadership, systems and accountability required to bring the various efforts together.

He stressed the need to ensure that survivors do not have to navigate a maze of institutions before accessing assistance.

‘When survivors reach out for help, there must not be a maze of institutions between that person and justice. There must be a pathway to care, a pathway to justice and, ultimately, a pathway to healing and restoration,’ the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu revealed that more than 3,000 cases of domestic and sexual violence were handled through the state’s response system between September 2021 and July 2023.

He said each case represented a human life affected by violence and underscored the need for stronger prevention and response mechanisms.

The governor said Lagos has strengthened its institutions, response mechanisms, survivor support, access to justice, public awareness and prevention programmes, but added that more needed to be done.

He described the national convening as an opportunity for states to share experiences, identify gaps and learn from one another’s successes and challenges.

Sanwo-Olu said safety and dignity should be treated as a common national interest, while stressing the need to build institutions and systems capable of surviving changes in political and administrative leadership.

He stressed that policies must not merely exist as documents but should translate into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

The governor also called for a change in social attitudes that allow violence to persist, including silence around abuse, stigma against survivors and the tendency to excuse perpetrators.

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening institutions, protecting and supporting survivors, improving access to justice, deepening collaboration and addressing misconduct.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who was represented by Mrs Lawson Olubunmi, said gender-based violence remained a persistent violation of human dignity in the country.

He said that survivors have continued to face barriers in reporting incidents, accessing protective services and obtaining timely justice despite progress in legislation and institutional development.

She identified fragmented response systems, weak inter-agency collaboration and inconsistent case management as some of the challenges undermining the fight against GBV.

The minister called for closer cooperation among the judiciary, prosecution, law enforcement, legal-aid providers, health and social-welfare agencies, civil society organisations, and traditional and community structures.

Fagbemi stressed the need for stronger referral systems, standardised case-management protocols, reliable data collection and effective accountability mechanisms.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, called for sustained commitment and collective action to prevent GBV and protect women, children and other vulnerable persons.

Veteran actor Pete Edochie has dismissed reports of rift between him and the late Nollywood icon, Olu Jacobs, describing their relationship as cordial and one built on mutual respect.

Edochie spoke about Jacobs in an interview before the death of the veteran actor but released following the actor’s death.

In the interview, Edochie recalled their years of friendship and the private moments they shared away from the cameras.

The veteran actor said he had previously heard reports that he and Jacobs had quarrelled over money while working on location, adding that similar claims had been made about his relationship with the late Sam Loco.

‘There was a time they said I disagreed with Olu on a location that we quarreled over money. They also said I quarreled with Sam Loco.’

Edochie said his relationship with Jacobs was marked by respect, particularly because he regarded him as a senior colleague. He recalled a custom they observed whenever they met.

‘Olu grew up in the North and each time we meet I bring a bottle of Campari and I give it to him to touch before I open it, that’s our custom. He’s a senior. He would touch it and I would open it, then we would sit down and begin to drink quietly.’

The actor recalled their final meeting, which he said took place as both men were leaving different locations. According to Edochie, Jacobs became emotional as they spoke about colleagues they had lost over the years.

‘The last time we met, I was coming out of a location while he was coming out too and we met at the center of the road. Olu looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, ‘Pete our mates are gone.’ Immediately he said it, tears came to my eyes and we held each other.’

Edochie said the encounter became an emotional moment for both actors as they reflected on the deaths of several of their colleagues.

‘We were being photographed and we were there mourning ourselves. When he said this, Sam Loco had gone, Justice Esiri had gone, Enebeli and others had gone. When he said it, it was coming from his heart and I said well, may the good Lord keep us.’

While debunking reports of disagreements between them, Edochie said he shared a close relationship with Jacobs that was not always apparent to outsiders. ‘I have never disagreed with Olu for one day. There are jokes we make among ourselves that only people who are used to us will understand.’

Describing the late actor’s place in his career, Edochie said Jacobs was the colleague he respected most as a senior in the industry.

‘He is perhaps the only person I respect in the industry as a senior and the first day I heard that Olu was ill, that I saw his wife saying Olu is not there anymore, I sat down and I thought about the last time we met each other that tears came.’

‘You will not know how close we are until you see us together,’ he added