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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has described retired military officers as critical to national security, saying stronger collaboration with veterans would boost intelligence gathering and support security operations.

Oluyede spoke in Yola yesterday after meeting veterans who converged from all six North East states for an engagement session, stressing that their military experience and knowledge of local communities could aid security agencies.

‘Veterans are members of the country who have served meritoriously. We feel it’s important for us to engage with them… we thought we could leverage this to galvanise them for better intelligence acquisition, going by the challenges we’re having in the area of security,’ he said.

Addressing veterans’ welfare concerns, the CDS said salary increases for serving personnel have a corresponding effect on pensions and welfare for veterans, pledging continued efforts to improve their welfare while drawing on their experience to strengthen national security.

National President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association of Nigeria (RANAO), Maj.-Gen. Hussaini Saliu rtd), said the association was committed to promoting the welfare of retired officers and supporting national development.

Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, leading activities to strengthen the party’s structures across the state.

The mobilisation is aimed at securing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and consolidating the party’s position in Lagos.

Under Ojelabi’s leadership, the party said it had intensified ward-level meetings, stakeholders’ engagements and consultations across the state’s 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

The party is also engaging women groups, youth organisations, market associations, community leaders, artisans and other stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots network ahead of the general election.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Lagos State APC Chairman, Ayaba Omobola Nowoola, said the mobilisation would focus on taking the party’s message to wards, communities and polling units, while highlighting the performance of the President Tinubu administration at the federal level and Lagos State.

The party cited ongoing infrastructure projects in Lagos, including the Blue and Red rail lines, road construction and rehabilitation, urban renewal and human capital development programmes as areas it intends to use in its campaign for continuity.

At the federal level, APC is expected to campaign on the economic reforms of the Tinubu government, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange reforms and fiscal restructuring.

The party also pointed to investments in infrastructure, transportation, education, health care, agriculture and social development as part of the administration’s achievements.

Among the federal infrastructure projects highlighted are 1,068-kilometre superhighway, 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, 114.5-kilometre Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, 465-kilometre Calabar-Abuja Superhighway and other major road projects across the country.

The senior special assistant said the 2027 campaign would provide an opportunity for the party to explain its policies and present what it described as its record of governance to voters.

It said the objective of the mobilisation was to connect the party’s programmes with voters and translate its grassroots organisation into electoral support.

The party further said a continuation of the APC administration in 2027 would allow for the completion and consolidation of ongoing infrastructure projects, expansion of transportation networks, continued economic reforms, increased investment and job opportunities, and improved access to social services.

With Ojelabi coordinating the state-level mobilisation, Lagos APC said its structures were being positioned to engage voters across the state as the 2027 general election approaches.

The party said it would intensify engagement at the ward, local government, community and polling-unit levels as part of its preparations for the presidential election.

The Hausa Community in Ondo State has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima remain the best leadership option for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

They made the declaration on Friday in Akure during a mobilisation programme organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), a political support group backed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Speaking at the event, the State Leader of the Hausa Community in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bala Umaru, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s administration’s ongoing reforms in agriculture, security, infrastructure and other sectors.

Umaru said the Hausa community, from the 18 local government areas of Ondo, has endorsed President Tinubu and his Vice President, Shettima, to reposition the country for sustainable development.

He observed that the administration inherited significant economic and social challenges but had demonstrated commitment to addressing them through reforms and interventions targeted at food security, infrastructure, transport, investment, job creation and economic growth.

‘Today is more than a political gathering. It is an opportunity for us to speak with one voice about the Nigeria we want, and the kind of leadership we believe can take us there.

‘The leader is none other than His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our decision as the Hausa community in Ondo State is to support his administration and endorse him alongside our Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, for a second term in office,’ Umaru said.

He also lauded the Federal government’s road construction projects, saying improved road infrastructure was essential to the economic activities of northern Nigerians who transport agricultural produce to different parts of the country.

‘In the history of Nigeria, there is no President who has embarked on massive road construction like the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Good roads play a significant role in the economy of we northerners. They make it easier for us to transport our goods, especially farm produce, to any part of the country,’ he said.

Umaru also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that some of the reforms would require time before their full impact could be felt.

He further cited Tinubu’s contribution to the political emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari as one reason the Hausa community should reciprocate the support.

‘These are not things that can be achieved overnight. They require patience, consistency and cooperation from all Nigerians.’

‘President Tinubu also played a significant role in installing the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is just natural for any northerner to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid,’ he said.

Umaru said the community’s decision was also motivated by its desire for a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.

He applauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, for his leadership, commitment and development initiatives.

The Director-General of GMT, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the Hausa endorsement was part of the group’s wider mobilisation of ethnic communities and non-indigenes across Ondo State for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.

Yusuf-Ogunleye said the group had previously secured endorsements from the Ebira and Igbo communities, adding that the Hausa community had now joined the campaign.

‘Different ethnic groups in Ondo State have been endorsing President Tinubu. We started with the Ebira community. Last week, the Igbo community did their own. Today, the Hausa people from all 18 local government areas are here to endorse the President’s second-term bid,’ he said.

He said the Hausa community had acknowledged what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration and decided to support the President despite the possibility of other aspirants from the northern region contesting the presidency.

‘That is the spirit of sportsmanship. That is the spirit of oneness,’ he said.

Yusuf-Ogunleye added that the Hausa community, which he described as committed and loyal, supported Tinubu in the 2023 election and had resolved to back him again in 2027.

He also commended Tunji-Ojo for providing resources to mobilise residents and non-indigenes across the state in support of the President.

Similarly, a member of the GMT Board of Trustees, Hon. Adekola Olawoye, SAN, described the gathering as a significant mobilisation event and expressed satisfaction with the turnout of Hausa residents from the 18 local government areas.

Olawoye said the group had been engaging different ethnic communities in the state as part of its mobilisation strategy.

‘We have been mobilising non-indigenes in the state, different ethnic groups, to support the President. Our target is one million votes for the President,’ he said.

FirstBank has announced the inaugural public lecture of the FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos on September 3, 2026.

The lecture, themed: ‘Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy,’ will bring together academics, students, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine the critical role of ethics, integrity, accountability, and sustainability in shaping Nigeria’s economic future and fostering long-term national development.

The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance was created in honour of Samuel Asabia, the Bank’s first indigenous Managing Director. The Chair has served as a platform for promoting scholarly research, teaching, and thought leadership in business ethics, corporate governance, responsible leadership, and sustainable business practices.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, will serve as Chairman of the Lecture.

Speaking on the significance of the lecture, Olusegun Alebiosu stated: At FirstBank, we believe that sustainable economic progress is anchored on ethical leadership, strong governance, and responsible enterprise. The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair represents our enduring commitment to advancing thought leadership and fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that shape the future of business and society. Through this inaugural public lecture, we are bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to explore how integrity-driven leadership can strengthen institutions, enhance economic resilience, and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to support this important platform for knowledge exchange and nation-building.’

The initiative further reflects FirstBank’s belief that sustainable development extends beyond financial performance to encompass ethical decision-making, responsible corporate citizenship, strong governance, and the development of future leaders capable of driving positive societal change.

The Chair is currently occupied by Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, an internationally recognised scholar whose work spans Sustainable Finance, Corporate Governance, Business Ethics, and Economic Development.

Through enduring investments in education, research, and thought leadership initiatives such as the Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair, FirstBank continues to contribute to the development of ideas, institutions, and leadership principles that support a more prosperous, ethical, and sustainable Nigeria.

Nigerian filmmaker and media consultant Akorede Adebowale, popularly known as Obj, has announced his intention to contest a seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adebowale, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the entertainment and media industry, is the National Secretary of the TAMPAN Guild of Directors.

He is seeking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to represent Iwajowa Local Government Area in the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The filmmaker said his decision to enter politics was driven by a desire to contribute to human capital development, particularly through talent discovery, development and deployment within his constituency.

Adebowale also pledged to prioritise his constituents’ welfare and social security if elected.

‘I want to bring Human Capital Development in the area of Talent discovery, Development and Deployment. The most important thing for me is my people; their social security and wellbeing are secure under my leadership,’ he said.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, has commended the Kaduna State Government for addressing some longstanding challenges facing the institution. The union however issued a two-week ultimatum over outstanding issues.

ASUU-KASU Chairman, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, said at a press briefing in Kaduna that the union’s position was not to castigate the government but to highlight areas requiring further intervention. He noted that three of about 10 issues previously raised, including salaries and allowances, had been addressed, while seven were outstanding.

He commended the government’s reversal of school fees increase the union had opposed over its potential impact on students, stressing that ASUU’s interventions were aimed at protecting the university system, not just staff welfare.

Abdullahi praised KASU’s performance compared with other institutions, describing it as capable of serving Kaduna State ‘for the next 100 or 200 years’ if properly supported, and said the university had achieved results comparable to established federal universities.

He called for sustained government support, improved staff welfare and proper funding to help the institution retain its academic workforce.

On the ultimatum, Abdullahi said dialogue remained ASUU’s preferred option, stressing that the union was not eager to embark on industrial action. ‘Even if the government calls us now, we are ready to move. Anything that will bring peace to the system, stability, that is what we want,’ he said.

He urged the state government to implement the new Federal Government-ASUU agreement and fix outstanding challenges to strengthen KASU’s legacy in the education sector.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer in the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election.

He made his position known yesterday when he visited Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti.

Oluyede informed the governor of his decision to work for Tinubu’s victory in the January 2027 presidential election.

He also discussed with Governor Oyebanji issues relating to the development and progress of Ekiti State, as the governor prepares to begin his second term on October 16.

Receiving Oluyede, Governor Oyebanji praised him for an act of statesmanship and his commitment to the progress of Ekiti State and national development.

Oyebanji expressed appreciation for Oluyede’s decision to support President Tinubu, saying his gesture demonstrated a shared commitment to the development of Ekiti and Nigeria.

Bravematt Property and Investment Limited has alleged a coordinated attempt to take over its N21.5 billion property at the Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki, Lagos.

It named a senior government official, a foreign national and an army officer among those allegedly involved in the unfolding dispute.

The allegation is contained in an account of the company’s acquisition and subsequent possession of the 13.067-hectare property, comprising Plots 5, 6, 7, and 8, Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II, Ibeju, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The property, which is situated along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, is covered by a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy dated July 15, 1988.

Bravematt called for the resolution of the dispute over the property valued at about N21.5 billion.

The property is covered by a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy dated July 15, 1988.

Bravematt said it acquired the property from Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI) and 4H Nigeria Limited following negotiations that resulted in an Agreement for Sale.

According to court processes filed by the company, the property was initially offered for N22 billion through an appointed agent, but Bravematt made a counter-offer of N21.5 billion in a letter dated June 5, 2025.

The company said the offer was accepted on June 13, 2025, after which the parties proceeded with the transaction.

Bravematt said it paid N10 billion and N2 billion in instalments, followed by a further N7.475 billion, bringing the total amount paid to N21.475 billion.

A disagreement subsequently arose over the transaction, prompting the company to approach the Lagos State High Court for protection of its interest in the property.

On December 10, 2025, Justice R. O. Olukolu of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in the Commercial/Fast-Track Division, made an interim order restraining IGI, 4H, their agents and prospective purchasers from entering into transactions that could lead to the assignment or transfer of interests in the property pending compliance with the applicable pre-action protocol.

The court also restrained dealings with the property that could alter its state and made a related order concerning funds in a 4H bank account.

The order followed an application by Bravematt supported by documentary evidence relating to the transaction.

The company said the parties subsequently continued discussions over the transaction and documentation.

It said a Deed of Assignment was later executed in its favour, while transaction documents were handed over to it. Bravematt also said it was subsequently put in possession of the property.

Following its reported possession, the company erected a signboard, commenced a fresh survey and began perimeter fencing.

The dispute resurfaced in July 2026 when Bravematt said it received information concerning developments involving 4H and the original Certificate of Occupancy.

The company said it sought clarification from the relevant parties but did not receive a response that resolved its concerns.

It subsequently published a caveat in a national newspaper on July 15, 2026, notifying the public of its claimed interest in the property.

A further dispute arose on August 15, 2026, when persons reportedly entered the property amid competing claims concerning the land and the Federal Government’s right of way along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Bravematt said the disagreement involved the interpretation and application of a proposed setback associated with the highway project.

The company maintains that its property, which extends beyond the roadway, is covered by the Lagos State title document and that any competing claim to the land should be determined through the appropriate legal process.

Another issue in contention is the extent of the Federal Government’s interest in land required for the coastal highway and the effect, if any, of the proposed setback on the property.

Bravematt has questioned the administrative basis for treating the disputed area as falling within a Federal Government setback, arguing that questions of ownership and title should be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The company has also raised concerns over the involvement of security personnel in the dispute, maintaining that disagreements over possession and title should not be resolved through physical occupation or eviction.

At the centre of the controversy are the competing claims over the property, the validity and effect of the existing Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy, the status of the subsequent transaction documents, and the extent of land required for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Bravematt said its position is supported by the payment trail, the Agreement for Sale, subsequent transaction documents, the court order and its claimed possession of the property.

The company is therefore seeking a resolution of the dispute through due process, with the parties’ respective interests determined by the appropriate authorities and, where necessary, a court of competent jurisdiction.

Bravematt maintains that any competing claim should be properly documented and determined through lawful procedures rather than by unilateral action.

The company said it remains interested in resolving the matter through the appropriate legal and administrative channels.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the management of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to engage fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) on their recommendations for improving waste management in the state.

Sanwo-Olu gave the directive during a mentorship session with the Class of Catalysts, the academy’s third cohort, where the fellows presented policy recommendations on waste and risk management.

The governor urged the fellows to meet with LAWMA officials to present their findings, defend their recommendations and engage with those responsible for managing waste in Lagos.

He said the interaction would provide an opportunity for the young leaders to ask questions, receive feedback and explore practical ways of addressing challenges in the sector.

According to him, the engagement reflects the vision behind the leadership academy – creating a platform where young people can use research and fresh ideas to interrogate government policies, while also giving the government the opportunity to listen and respond.

Sanwo-Olu also commended the fellows for their capstone projects, including proposals for a library and ICT centre, describing them as initiatives capable of delivering measurable impact and extending beyond the current cohort.

He urged the fellows to sustain the relationships built during the programme, stressing that a strong alumni network could become a valuable source of ideas, knowledge and support for future initiatives.

Reflecting on the fellows’ recent policy trip to Rwanda, the governor challenged them to study successful models in other countries and consider how such approaches could be adapted to improve governance in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu also stressed the importance of consistency in government policies, saying investors require certainty and predictability before committing resources.

‘People want clarity. People want definitive pronouncements. No matter how tough that pronouncement, they want you to be consistent with it so that they can plan,’ he said.

He urged the fellows to remain open to learning, listen before responding and learn from their mistakes, describing the ability to turn failure into lessons as an important leadership quality.

The governor also challenged them to consider how their contributions would be judged by future generations.

‘How will history judge you? What will people say to you?’ he asked.

The Executive Secretary of LJLA, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, said the Class of Catalysts was the academy’s third cohort, bringing the number of young people who have passed through the programme to about 90.

She said graduation should not be regarded as the end of the fellows’ leadership journey but as the beginning of a new phase of greater responsibility.

Agbaje-Okunade said the fellows had been exposed to both theoretical and practical leadership through readings, mentorship sessions, fireside chats and shadowing opportunities with commissioners and heads of ministries, departments and agencies.

She said the academy was established not merely to impart leadership knowledge but to raise young people capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

‘When they enter the fellowship, they don’t know the sort of leader they want to be. But they know the sort of leader they do not want to be,’ she said.

Agbaje-Okunade urged the fellows to continue to demonstrate patriotism, responsibility and respect for the law after completing the fellowship.

‘Our vision has always been to build a society transformed by the leadership of young people. So our transformation is very much dependent on them, even after they leave the fellowship,’ she added.

She said the academy had also broadened the fellows’ exposure through international engagements, including a recent policy trip to Kigali, Rwanda, where they interacted with government officials, mayors, district heads and communities.

The Face of Good Governance Nigeria (FOGGN) has expressed its commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Director-General of FOGGN, Sonia Joy Okochichi, alongside other stakeholders, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the President during a road walk in Abuja.

Okochichi said the group’s support for the administration was based on the belief that the government’s policies and programmes could contribute to economic growth, youth empowerment and national development.

The road walk, which started in Nyanya and ended at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, drew youths, members of the organisation, and other supporters who expressed confidence in the administration and its policies.

Participants carried placards and chanted solidarity messages as they moved through the city, saying the exercise aimed to demonstrate their support for continuity, good governance and the country’s development.

The organisers explained that the exercise was intended not only to demonstrate political support for the President but also to promote peace, unity, and responsible citizenship among Nigerians.

According to them, the road walk gave young Nigerians a platform to express their views on national issues and encouraged greater participation in the country’s democratic process.

They stressed the need for sustained youth involvement in governance and national development, noting that young Nigerians have important roles to play in shaping the country’s future.

Okochichi and other stakeholders called on youths to remain committed to Nigeria’s progress and to participate constructively in the democratic process.

Representatives of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development and the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group commended participants for their commitment and peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.

They said initiatives that encourage youth participation in national affairs could create more opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

The representatives also urged young people to remain peaceful and law-abiding while actively participating in programmes and initiatives that promote national unity and development.

At the Federal Secretariat, where the road walk ended, participants reiterated their support for the President and called for sustained efforts to address the country’s development challenges.

FOGGN said it would continue to engage Nigerians, particularly youths, on issues of governance and development while mobilising support for its preferred political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.