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The Enugu State Police Command has deployed 2,100 personnel to provide security for the second edition of the Enugu City International Marathon scheduled to hold Saturday, August 29, 2026.

The police deployment is part of measures to ensure the safety of athletes, spectators, residents and other participants during the international sporting event.

Speaking at a world press briefing in Enugu on Friday, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Oliver Odimega, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Maman Bitrus Giwa, assured participants and residents of adequate security throughout the race.

Odimega said the command would work closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other sister security agencies to ensure a hitch-free marathon.

‘We have deployed about 2,100 police personnel for the purpose of this race. We assured you of maximum security. The police will be working with the DSS and other sister security agencies to ensure a hitch-free event,’ he said.

The command also warned motorists of temporary restrictions along major routes in the Enugu metropolis as the 10-kilometre and 42-kilometre races will take athletes through major avenues in the city.

According to the organisers, vehicular traffic will be restricted between 6:00am and 12:30pm tomorrow along portions of the marathon routes to provide athletes with unobstructed access and ensure public safety.

The marathon will commence from the Shoprite/GTC area along Abakaliki Road and culminate at Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu.

Athletes from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and other countries have already arrived in Enugu for the race, further underscoring the international status the organisers hope to build for the event.

The winner of the marathon’s first prize is expected to smile home with $50,000, with the prize money forming part of the attractions for elite athletes participating in the competition.

The event is sponsored by Nilayo Sports Management, Pinnacle Oil, Power Oil, Enugu Air, Aquafina and other corporate partners.

Speaking at the briefing, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, said the second edition would be a marked improvement on the inaugural race held in 2025.

Ekweremadu said the marathon was not merely a sporting competition but a strategic platform for showcasing Enugu to Nigeria and the international community as a tourism and investment destination.

‘This is much more than a slogan. It is a statement about where Enugu is today. Tomorrow runs here because the future we are building is already taking shape in Enugu,’ he said.

He explained that the marathon would generate economic opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, businesses and young people, while promoting healthy living, tourism and sports development.

The commissioner said about 3,000 volunteers would also be deployed to support the successful organisation of the event, adding that lessons from the inaugural edition had been used to improve route management, athlete experience, security, medical arrangements and stakeholder coordination.

‘We have taken from the first edition and we shall improve on this one. We are here to build an institution. Enugu is a destination for major sports events,’ Ekweremadu said.

He added that the marathon was also part of the state’s broader preparations to host the 23rd National Sports Festival, Enugu 2026, later in the year.

Representing the Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, Dr. Okolo explained that relevant agencies had been working on traffic management to minimise inconvenience to residents while ensuring the safety of participants.

Ekweremadu appealed to Enugu residents and motorists to cooperate with security and traffic management agencies by planning their movements ahead of the temporary restrictions.

He said the state government, under Governor Peter Mbah, was determined to build the Enugu City International Marathon into one of the most respected road-running events in Africa and ultimately on the global calendar.

He urged participants coming from within and outside Nigeria to experience not only the competition but also the hospitality and attractions of Enugu.

This is a reiteration of my several contributions on the worrisome situations of food insecurity, and cost of living crises that Nigerians are facing; and additional reminders for governments to consider while trying to alleviate the situations.

Security as a critical success factor for food security:

The first critical success factor to turn around the socioeconomic malaise in Nigeria, tackling insecurity. Otherwise, any other initiative will be a ‘flash in the pan’. The northern part of Nigeria is the food basket of the nation and is arguably some part of the West African sub-region. Therefore, the recent escalation of insecurity around the northwest, north-central, and northeast have drastically reduced food production. Additionally, climate change is impacting, thereby worsening food insecurity. There is the need for quick actions

The recent decision to expand the Nigerian Army from 8 Divisions to 12, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a welcome development. Accordingly, Mr. President has approved the recruitment of 28,000 personnel for the Nigerian Army. I commend Mr. President for this action. Indeed, for the past 3 years, some of us have been supporting the request, by the various heads of the armed forces of Nigeria (Military, Police, etc), for increase of more boots on the ground to really fortify, the capacity of the armed forces to effectively sustain the war against the raging multidimensional insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria.

Insecurity, largely across northern Nigeria is spreading with more devastating consequences. In the past two months, the terrorist attacks on communities in Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Plateau, and Benue States are escalating. Mass abductions, mass killings, rapes, burning down of entire villages, farmlands, and grains silos (reserves) have resulted in the exodus of people from their villages or communities, as they try to flee the onslaught of terrorists. In the past two months over 25 villages or communities have been abandoned by the people, or sacked by the terrorists. These are agrarian communities that are critical to Nigeria’s food production capacity. Unless our communities and villages are safe, we face imminent food scarcity by the 4th quarter of this year which is a key harvest period, and this will have devastating consequences on the already dire situation that we are facing in this Country.

Consequently, most farmers have not been able to go to their farms due to kidnappings, banditry, and other forms of terrorism. And when those farmers risk going the their farms, they pay four or five types of taxes/levies, i.e. local government levies, state government levies, federal government levies, and levies they pay to various terrorists/ bandits, kidnappers or other terrorists. We therefore, cannot expect those farmers/up-takers to sell the products at a ‘reasonable’ price’ without considering their cost of production and the dangers they face.

In terms of production, power is not available, people have to generate power by through other means, at high costs (e.g. Diesel), so that they can produce goods or provide services. The government should be practical and pragmatic in addressing the key drivers of production in the economy, so that we can turn around the rising cost of living.

Impacts of climate change:

In the first quarter of this year, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), have released the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) for 2026, and the Probable Flash Flood Risk Map, respectively. The 2026 flood risk will impact 33 out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Approximately 4.2 million hectares of farmland/cropland are at risk (highest risk period is October to November). Over 30,707 communities have been placed at risk (highest risk period is from July to September).

Moreover, the 2026 rainy season came a bit late year, especially in northern Nigeria which is largely agrarian. As the rainy season settles in, there are major concerns of the projections of poor yield this year due to the late start of the rain, excessive heat, floods, and crops diseases due to global warming. The projections are already becoming realities especially as the rainy season started late in the northern part of Nigeria.

Therefore, I wish to, remind the governments (at federal and state levels), citizens, and residents of the importance of our individual and collective preparedness to effectively respond to crises and disaster warnings. This is so that we can efficiently and effectively mitigate the impact of such force majeures, which aligns with Pillar 4 (‘Preparedness to respond to warnings) of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionUNDRR’s Action Plan, on the early warning on disasters.

The devastating impacts of rising food inflation:

Of all the inflationary trends, federal and state governments should focus on food inflation as the key microeconomics performance indicator for this economy, and a driver for economic turnaround. In my view, food security is the economic ‘shock absorber’ for the masses, and a catalyst for economic diversification. Food inflation should attract our attention more than headline inflation, and the core inflation. The cost of production and prices of all food items have more than doubled their costs in the past 8 months. The prices of food items will further increase, because food supply reduces during rainy seasons. Things are so bad that now a tuber of yam is cut into 2 or 3 portions and retailed. In some part of northern Nigeria, multidimensionally poor families and individuals are beginning to eat grasses. Dustbins are now becoming scarce of food remnants. Human beings are beginning to compete with animals for plants that hitherto human beings only feed animals. Things are really getting uglier.

In addition to the potential low production/ yields due to insecurity and climate change, Nigeria has exhausted its strategic grains reserves without replenishing them. Therefore, disaster is looming because potentially, by the 4th quarter of this year, the agricultural yields will not be enough to meet up with rising local demand. It is important to note that food production drives the economy in terms of food security and raw materials for critical production sectors including medicine, pharmacy, textiles, etc.

Food security is critical to economic recovery:

There is a nexus between food insecurity and health, education, and poverty. Because the agriculture value chain produces not just food, but raw materials for industries, raw materials for medicine, and healthcare. Food insecurity will also increase the rate of malnutrition in some parts of Nigeria, especially the northern region where we have the highest number of multidimensionally poor Nigerians constituting about 70%. In addition, because of malnutrition and increased infant mortality, there is already a prevalence of hunger and poverty.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to deal with the factors that drive inflation i.e. cost of production, availability of the products (e.g. food, or other goods and services), cost of logistics, cost of storage, availability and cost of power (electricity), insecurity, etc.

One of the key interventions that Mr. President provided in 2024, was the release of over 24,000 tonnes of grains, which was released and shared to the poor people. But it is important for us to note that we have practically depleted our national strategic reserves. So, I expect that, going forward, within the entire national intervention framework, we will have plans to replenish the strategic grain reserves as quickly as possible, because the strategic grain reserves are the last lines of defense and must be available at all times. Otherwise in the next 5 to 6 months during the rainy seasons, naturally there are food shortages during the rainy seasons even without the issues of insecurity, global warming, and the depleted strategic grain reserves.

Roles of States and Local Governments:

The importance of the roles of the states and local governments to improve our Agricultural value chain and its socioeconomic contributions cannot be over-emphasized. Apart from the national agriculture sectoral reform strategy, State Governors, and state assemblies need to do more in crafting their various Agriculture reform strategies that will key into the overarching national development plan while taking into cognizance their peculiarities with a view to harnessing all their agricultural resources in the states for better socioeconomic impacts -short to long term.

More than the federal government, the state governments have a more direct and tangential role to play in alleviating the lives of their people. Going forward there should be more attention from the people on the state governors, and demand for good governance accountability and performance. The coming months will be key indicators.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, yesterday asked Nigerians to challenge candidates presenting themselves as alternatives in the 2027 general election to show their records as public office holders.

He advised Nigerians not to listen to their rhetoric, but demand proof of the actions that should earn them another opportunity to serve.

The Speaker, at the maiden graduation of 4,050 youths at the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, in Kaduna, said: ‘Let me speak briefly about politics. I am a politician, and this season demands honesty.

” In 2027, the people of Kaduna State will face a clear choice: to keep moving forward or to return to the past.

‘Before then, the political noise will grow louder. Parties will adopt new logos, politicians will wear new colours, and familiar faces will return with fresh promises. But a change of costume does not create a change of character.

‘So, when they come to you with new stories and promises, listen to what they say, but look closely at what they have done. Anyone asking for your trust must first answer for their record.

‘How did they manage public funds? What did they achieve in office? Did they remain true to their principles, or did their principles change whenever power changed hands?

”As our elders say, no matter how long a lie travels, the truth will eventually catch up with it.

‘Some of those presenting themselves as the alternative have been in power before. So, judge them by their record, not their rhetoric. What did they inherit? What did they spend? What did they build? What did they leave behind? Public office is not a magic show.

”The people have a right to know where their money went.

‘Apply the same standard at the national level. Those who criticise current reforms should explain what they did when they had the authority to act.

‘When any politician comes to your ward, do not be distracted by slogans and symbols. Ask for evidence. Ask what they built, whom they trained and which lives they improved. Promises sound good, but only action builds classrooms, clinics, and workshops.

‘People of Kaduna State must, therefore, judge every candidate by what they have done, not only by what they promise. Look at their character, examine their record, and ask whose lives they have improved. Good leadership does not need a long explanation. The results will speak for themselves.

‘From Zaria to Zangon Kataf, from Birnin Gwari to Jaba, and from Kafanchan to Kudan, let one message travel across our state: Kaduna is making progress under APC and under Governor Uba Sani. Nigeria is making progress under the APC and under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘It is our solemn duty and responsibility to sustain this progress. The darkest hour comes just before dawn. Do not abandon the journey when the destination is already in sight. A farmer who abandons the field at harvest time leaves the reward of his labour for others.’

Tajudeen emphasised that the ceremony ‘is the practical expression and realisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,’ stating that reform earns public confidence when its benefits reach the daily lives of ordinary people.”

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called for sustained policies and investments to expand Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

It stressed the need for adequate protection for refineries operating in the country.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the three-day PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS 2026). PENGASSAN said Nigeria must reduce the economic inefficiency of exporting crude oil while importing significant volumes of refined petroleum products by creating an environment that supports domestic refining and other value-adding activities.

The communiqué, signed by the union President, Festus Osifo, and General Secretary, Jerry Amah, stressed the need to protect refineries, including Dangote Refinery and Waltersmith Refinery.

The association said the expansion would enable Nigeria to retain a greater share of the value generated from its petroleum resources while creating jobs, conserving foreign exchange and stimulating industrial development. PENGASSAN linked the growth to wider opportunities in petrochemicals, gas processing and other downstream activities.

The communiqué reads in part: ‘The summit called for sustained policies and investments to expand Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and reduce the economic inefficiency of exporting crude oil while importing significant volumes of refined petroleum products. The need to protect refineries (such as Dangote Refinery, Waltersmith Refinery, etc.) within Nigeria’s jurisdiction was emphasised.

‘Nigeria must progressively retain more value from its petroleum resources through domestic refining, petrochemicals, gas processing and other value-adding activities capable of generating employment, conserving foreign exchange and stimulating industrial growth.

‘Ultimately, the strength of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will not be measured merely by the resources beneath the ground, but by the projects delivered, the value created, the Nigerian capabilities developed, the decent jobs sustained and the prosperity generated for the Nigerian people.’

The association also warned that abrupt policy changes, overlapping mandates, repetitive approvals and conflicting directives increase the cost of doing business and weaken Nigeria’s competitiveness for global energy capital.

PENGASSAN called for faster regulatory approvals, digitalised processes and clearer timelines, arguing that the effectiveness of regulation should be measured by its impact on investment, production, government revenue, job creation and national value rather than simply by the number of licences or approvals issued.

On gas, PENGASSAN advocated an integrated approach to developing Nigeria’s more than 215 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, including investments in processing facilities, pipelines, storage, LNG, LPG and CNG infrastructure. It said gas should be deployed more aggressively for power generation, manufacturing, transportation, fertiliser and petrochemical production.

The association also urged stronger protection of workers’ rights, occupational safety and employment during mergers, acquisitions, divestments and asset transfers, saying sustainable investment requires skilled and fairly treated workers and that increased production must not come at the expense of workers’ lives and wellbeing.

PENGASSAN said the next phase of Nigeria’s petroleum industry must focus on execution with measurable targets and clearly assigned responsibilities to ensure policies translate into projects, production, investment and sustainable employment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to reinstate fuel subsidies has continued to attract criticism, with law lecturer and national affairs commentator Saifudeen Coomassie questioning its economic rationale.

Coomassie, of BAZE University, Abuja, described the proposal as politically motivated, arguing that a return to fuel subsidies could reverse recent fiscal reforms.

He said Nigeria had spent more than ?13 trillion on fuel subsidies over a decade without achieving the desired economic benefits.

‘We spent over ?13 trillion on subsidies in 10 years. What did we get? Debt, smuggling, round-tripping, and refineries that collapsed.

‘It enriched a few cabals while 200 million Nigerians got poorer,’ he said.

Coomassie described subsidy removal as a difficult but necessary economic reform and commended President Bola Tinubu for taking what he called difficult decisions on the economy.

He urged policymakers to channel public resources and borrowing towards infrastructure and productive investments, including compressed natural gas buses, roads, student loans, and the development of local refining capacity.

He also argued that government spending should prioritise measures that expand productive capacity and reduce the country’s long-term dependence on imported petroleum products.

‘Stop the bleeding,’ he said. ‘Take the money we were borrowing to drink fuel and invest it in CNG buses, roads, student loans, and local refining. That is long-term prosperity, not applause today,’ Comassie noted.

He also accused the opposition of inconsistency, noting that major parties campaigned on removing subsidies and privatising parts of the oil sector in the run-up to the 2023 polls but have, in his view, reversed course now that those reforms have been enacted.

‘The biggest manifestos of both Atiku and Peter Obi in the last election were the removal of subsidy and the privatisation of the oil sector.

‘Now that President Tinubu has implemented all their manifestos, they have nothing left to campaign on, so they are making a U-turn. That is a clear sign of desperation.’

Coomassie also pointed out that much of the resentment is from the opposition elite.

He said, ‘Nation building is not about popularity. It is about doing what is right for the next generation,’ warning that a return to subsidised fuel would saddle future budgets with recurring costs.

‘The question before Nigerians is simple,’ he said. ‘Do we go back to a subsidy scam because we want cheap fuel today? Or do we stay the course to build infrastructure that our children will inherit? You cannot borrow money to subsidise what you do not produce.’

Coomassie stressed, ‘Returning subsidy is desperation for votes, not policy.’

Two residents trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed one-storey building in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have been rescued alive.

The incident occurred at Kubwa 2/2, near the Yellow Page area, at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

The victims, trapped on the ground floor of the residential building, were rescued by emergency responders and taken to Kubwa General Hospital for medical attention. They were said to be in stable condition.

Nkechi Isa, Head of Media and Public Relations at the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), confirmed the incident in a statement.

Isa said the affected property comprised six blocks of flats, adding that most of the other occupants were away when the right segment of the structure collapsed.

According to her, FEMD received a distress call at 11:38am and promptly mobilised to the scene to rescue those trapped.

She said the two residents were evacuated alive, with no fatalities recorded, although personal belongings and household items were destroyed.

The cause of the collapse was not immediately known as of press time.

Relevant authorities are expected to assess the affected structure and adjoining buildings to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure the safety of residents and passers-by.

The rescue operation again underscored the importance of rapid emergency response whenever building disasters occur, particularly in densely populated communities where occupants could become trapped beneath concrete, blocks and other construction materials.

Residents in the area were also expected to remain cautious around the collapsed structure and avoid approaching unstable sections of the building until relevant authorities declared the site safe.

The condition of the two rescued residents was described as stable while receiving treatment at Kubwa General Hospital.

Further details on the incident, including the victims’ identity, the circumstances leading to the collapse and possible official findings, were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.

Senator Lere Oyewumi has called for an independent investigation into the killings at Naira and Kobo Garage in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, following his alleged indictment by a suspect arrested in connection with the violence.

The Nation reports that the crisis erupted at the garage on Monday during an attempt to take control of the facility, resulting in the snatching of an AK-47 rifle from a policeman. Two people were killed, while three security operatives sustained gunshot injuries.

The Osun State Police Command subsequently arrested four suspects in connection with the incident.

One of the suspects, Sikiru Adedeji, allegedly mentioned Oyewumi as the person who mobilised the group involved in the attack.

Oyewumi, however, denied the allegation while addressing journalists at the Imole Media Centre in Osogbo on Friday, describing the police account as one-sided.

The Deputy Minority Leader said he intervened to de-escalate the situation and prevent the crisis from developing into communal violence.

According to him, ‘I prevailed on residents of Ikire not to take the law into their own hands and assisted the Commissioner of Police in navigating troubled areas amid heightened tension.’

Oyewumi said it was inappropriate to link him to the violence, alleging that attempts to associate him with the suspect were capable of undermining efforts to establish what happened.

He also questioned the presence of the Divisional Police Officer and his men at the motor park, claiming that the area was peaceful before the police arrived.

He said, ‘I make bold to say that the police has not conducted any investigation because it is desperate to protect the DPO. The culpability of the DPO and his men in this matter cannot be swept under the carpet.’

Oyewumi urged the Osun State Government to expedite the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate the Ikire incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the violence.

‘I therefore call for independent investigation. I call on the state government to fast-track the setting up of the commission of inquiry to look into this and other related issues,’ he said.

Nigeria’s new Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan, His Excellency Yakubu Nyaku Danladi, has formally assumed his diplomatic responsibilities after presenting his Letters of Credence to the President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, His Excellency General Abdalfattah Al-Burhan Abdalrahman.

The ceremony took place on August 25, 2026, at the Republican Palace in Khartoum, followed by bilateral talks between Ambassador Danladi and the Sudanese leader.

Cabinet ministers and other senior Sudanese officials attended the ceremony.

Speaking after the presentation, Ambassador Danladi reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining its longstanding friendship and bilateral relations with Sudan.

He reiterated Nigeria’s support for Sudan’s peace, stability and sovereignty, and endorsed an inclusive national dialogue as a pathway to ending the ongoing hostilities in the country.

The Nigerian envoy also pledged to strengthen existing cooperation between Nigeria and Sudan in key areas, including trade, investment, education, culture, security and people-to-people relations.

He further appealed to the Sudanese authorities to continue providing protection and safe passage to Nigerians living in the country, stressing the importance Nigeria attaches to the safety and well-being of its citizens.

The presentation of credentials to President Al-Burhan followed Ambassador Danladi’s earlier presentation of the Copies d’Usage of his Letters of Credence to Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, in Khartoum.

The presentation of the Copies d’Usage marked an important stage in the accreditation process and paved the way for the commencement of Ambassador Danladi’s official diplomatic assignment in Sudan.

His posting comes at a critical period, as Sudan continues to face significant political and security challenges.

Nigeria has consistently advocated peaceful dialogue, stability and diplomatic engagement to address the crisis and promote lasting peace in Sudan.

Nigeria and Sudan share longstanding historical, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties.

The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations and cooperation across several areas of mutual interest, making sustained engagement between both governments particularly important.

As Nigeria’s representative in Sudan, Ambassador Danladi is expected to build on these longstanding relations, advance Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and promote stronger cooperation between the two countries.

Edo Queens secured their place in the semifinals of the WAFU-B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers after defeating ASEC Mimosas 3-1 in their second Group B match in Burkina Faso.

The Nigerian champions followed their emphatic 7-0 opening victory over AS Garde Nationale of Niger with another convincing performance to move to six points from two matches.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Doosuur Atume doubled the advantage two minutes before halftime.

ASEC responded after the break by reducing the deficit, but Edo Queens held firm before Oluebube Umejiaku struck in the 89th minute to complete the 3-1 victory.

The result took Edo Queens’ tally to 10 goals in two matches and guaranteed their progression with one group fixture remaining.

They will complete their Group B campaign against Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

Stand-in technical manager Kennedy Boboye praised his players for staying composed against the Ivorian champions.

‘I’m happy that our girls stood their ground. We played against a good side with quality today but thank God we were able to take our chances when they came,’ Boboye said.

‘Congratulations to our girls, they made us proud and we hope to achieve our purpose of coming to this tournament in Burkina Faso. We promised our people five over five before we left Benin City.’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has mourned the death of Dotun Oladipo, publisher of EagleOnline and a prominent member of Nigeria’s online journalism community.

Atiku, in a statement posted on X, described Oladipo as an ‘extraordinary journalist’ and an ‘extraordinary human being’, saying his death was deeply painful.

He described the deceased as a gentleman who was gracious, thoughtful, decent and humble.

According to Atiku, Oladipo was deeply committed to journalism and upheld the values of truth, professionalism and public service throughout his career.

He said beyond Oladipo’s professional accomplishments, he was known for his warmth, generosity, respect for others and willingness to engage people with kindness.

‘Nigeria’s journalism community, particularly the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), has lost a distinguished professional,’ Atiku said.

He added that Oladipo’s friends and colleagues had lost a dependable and gracious companion, while many others whose lives he touched had lost ‘a truly good man’.

Atiku prayed for the repose of Oladipo’s soul and asked God to grant his family, colleagues and friends the strength to bear the loss.

‘May his memory remain a blessing,’ he said.