Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Abubakar Dantsoho, the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), says that the central position and agro-allied potential of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, make it crucial to Nigeria’s non-oil export ambitions.

At the NPA Special Day during the Abuja International Trade Fair, Dantsoho said the authority’s focus on port-hinterland connectivity is central to linking producers in the heart of the country to international demand clusters.

He noted that Abuja’s location gives it a strategic advantage in connecting regional value chains and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to grow non-oil revenue.

He explained that as part of this plan, the NPA has established Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) designed to simplify export documentation, packaging and shipment processes that had previously made Nigerian goods uncompetitive.

The terminals, he said, act as ‘one-stop shop’ for cargo consolidation and certification, working in sync with Domestic Export Warehouses and Inland Dry Ports to create seamless logistics for exporters.

Dantsoho added that the authority is digitising its operations through the Ports Community System (PCS), which will feed into the National Single Window promised for kick-off in the first quarter of 2026.

The move, he said, will remove human interference and promote transparency in cargo handling, in line with best practices.

He urged businesses to take advantage of these reforms to connect their products to global markets, assuring that the NPA remains open to partnerships beyond the trade fair.

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s sweeping economic reforms, insisting that every policy decision has been guided by ‘a pursuit of balance between economic logic and public expectation,’ even as he acknowledged the pain Nigerians continue to face in the transition period.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday at the opening of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja, the President said the government’s tough choices were beginning to yield tangible results across key sectors – including improved revenue generation, debt management, and macroeconomic stability.

Tinubu said, ‘There is no single decision we have taken that is not guided by the pursuit of balance between economic logic and public expectation. Every reform we have introduced has emerged from deep reflection, difficult conversations, and the courage to act in the national interest.’

He noted that Nigeria’s economy expanded to $372.8 billion in 2024, up from $309.5 billion in 2023, while total revenue rose from $19.9 billion to $25.2 billion within the same period. The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio, he added, stood at 38.8 per cent, well below the 60 per cent limit prescribed by both the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the ECOWAS threshold.

‘Our tax-to-GDP ratio has now nudged towards 13.5 percent, up from barely 7 percent a few years ago,’ he said.

‘These are not mere statistics; they tell the story of a nation committed to reform and renewal. It shows that our decisions, though tough, are restoring fiscal confidence and investor trust.’

He further disclosed that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit had dropped sharply, with the debt service-to-revenue ratio declining to less than 50 per cent, compared to 97 per cent before the administration came into office.

Despite the improvements, Shettima admitted that the benefits of these reforms had not yet fully translated into jobs or relief for citizens.

‘I admit that this growth has not yet fully translated into enough jobs for our people, but we are closing that gap,’ he said, noting that the administration was prioritising agriculture, solid minerals, and small business financing to create sustainable employment.

Among other initiatives, the government has established a ?200 billion integration fund to support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and launched the New Hope Local Economy Programme, targeting all 8,809 wards across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Tinubu, through the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, also highlighted tax reforms as key to boosting domestic revenue and reducing dependence on oil. He cited the recently enacted Tax Reform Act and new revenue administration laws as major steps in this direction.

‘These reforms will take low-income earners off the tax bracket, ensure fairness in corporate taxation, and strengthen digital innovation in tax administration,’ he said.

‘We are simplifying processes, blocking leakages, and ensuring that every kobo counts.’

On infrastructure, the President said the government was currently constructing over 2,700 kilometres of superhighways and 440 road projects nationwide, alongside new rail lines and bridges.

He described such investments as ‘the axis of national prosperity and a pathway to long-term productivity.’

As he declared the summit open on behalf of the President, Shettima reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to an economy that is ‘stable, industrialised, and humanised.’

‘We will stabilise prices and the naira, industrialise our economy, humanise governance, and ensure that every citizen feels respected and served,’ he concluded.

He added, ‘The government is ready to receive and implement recommendations that will align with our deliberations through the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.

‘My fellow Nigerians, we are not condemned to low growth, high cost, and low cost. We’ll stabilise.

‘We’ll industrialise. We’ll humanise our economy. We’ll stabilise prices and prices.

‘And we will industrialise food, power, logistics, and technology.

‘We’ll humanise governance so that every citizen feels respected and served.

‘On this note, I want to dwell on something that is very dear, a topical issue that is very dear to the hearts of every Nigerian.’

Turning to the ongoing tension between organised labour and the private sector, Tinubu made an emotional appeal for restraint and cooperation.

He also addressed the Dangote Refinery dispute, urging all stakeholders to avoid actions that could jeopardise the country’s economic recovery and investor confidence.

‘If we had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, it would probably be worth $80 billion today. But we chose to invest in this country, and we owe it to future generations to protect that investment from harm,’ he said.

Calling for ‘caution, retrospection, and a deeper sense of reality’ from both labour and the private sector, the President warned that the refinery issue must not be allowed to escalate into a national economic setback.

‘Aliko Dangote is not an individual; he is an institution,’ Tinubu said firmly. ‘How we treat him will determine how outside investors will see us. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN.

‘We must protect investments and safeguard our economic stability. The government will not shy away from addressing labour concerns, but we must do so responsibly.’

He confirmed that the Federal Government was engaging the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to pilot solutions that promote industrial harmony and protect strategic national investments such as the Dangote Refinery, which he described as a ‘critical national asset.’

‘We cannot call the whole nation to answer because of issues that we can resolve through constructive dialogue,’ he said.

‘The Nigerian Economic Summit Group is taking more than a person’s interest in the matter. The government will expect piloting recommendations from the NESG.

‘In addressing this issue, the government is also taking steps to protect the industry and ensure industrial harmony for the good of the nation.

‘This is a refinery that was financed through a combination of equity investment, debt finance, and loans from local and foreign banks.

‘The refinery has to function. And we cannot call the whole nation to answer because of issues that we can advocate in a certain approach later.’

The 31st Nigerian Economic Summit, themed ‘Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030,’ gathered top government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and policymakers to deliberate on strategies for inclusive national growth.

Nigeria’s economy needs to grow between 7 to 10 percent to create 4.5 million annual formal jobs needed to keep unemployment in check, according to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

Wilson Erumebor, senior economist at NESG in a presentation said nine in 10 Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet, urging the government to ‘urgently’ create a job and productivity agenda or risk jobless growth soaring to 30 percent.

‘By 2030, Nigeria’s working age population is projected to rise to 168 million and to keep unemployment rate at current level, we estimated at the NESG that we have to create 27 million jobs in the next five years,’ Erumebor said at a session themed ‘From Hustle to Decent Work: Unlocking Jobs and Productivity for Economic Transformation in Nigeria.’

‘And that’s 4.5 million jobs every single year and if we succeed, our young population will be the agent of economic transformation and prosperity. Our economy has to grow faster. It has to grow in the range of 7 to 10 percent annually.’

The country’s economy grew at its fastest pace in five years to 4.23 percent in Q2 2025 but it’s expected to close at 3.4 percent, projections by the International Monetary Fund show. That growth might not be enough to create jobs that would engage a population estimated to reach 275 million by 2030 and 428 million in the next 25 years.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s unemployment rate as at the last time official data was published stood at 4.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024 with over 90 percent in the informal sector.

While the jobless rate seems low, Erumebor argued that many Nigerians are ‘overworked and underpaid’, thereby leaving the citizens trapped in vulnerable, low productivity jobs.

Data from the NESG report reveals that over 80 percent of Nigeria workers are in sectors and activities in low productivity. In other words, the least productive sectors employ the most workers in Nigeria.

According to the economist, the Information, Communication and Technology sector has high productivity but employs fewer people while trade and agriculture employs a larger part of the workforce but has very low productivity.

‘This means that the kind of jobs that’ll lift people out of poverty are not being created in large numbers. It then means that productivity across our economy is very low, holding back growth and shared prosperity.’

Limited depth of Nigeria’s private sector which should power economic growth stalls productivity and by extension, employment opportunities, Erumebor said.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, many Nigerian states are the single largest employer of labour, a title that should be earned by the private sector.

NESG also points to skills mismatch as part of the root causes of low productivity, stressing that many Nigerians lack the technical and digital skills to access quality jobs.

Nigeria’s educational system also needs to improve to boost productivity. The NESG report found that while millions of students are out-of-school, those in school are not learning as they should as only 46 percent of children aged four to six years can name at least 10 letters.

According to Erumebor, sectors that drive economic growth does not drive jobs, revealing that the top five sectors that powered the country’s economic growth in 2023 only employ 1.5 percent of the workforce.

‘Meanwhile, you have manufacturing, construction and a few others that have the capacity to absorb labour and create high productivity are struggling,’ he said.

Keystone Bank Limited has unveiled its year-end nationwide promo that will reward its loyal customers with weekly cash prizes running into several millions of naira.

The campaign, themed ‘Mega Milli Giveaway,’ was unveiled during a press conference held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos on Monday.

The lender disclosed that the promo will run from October 1 to December 31, 2025.

Speaking at the launch, Olayemi Sule, group head, Retail and Digital Banking, Keystone Bank, said the Mega Milli Giveaway was introduced as a strategic initiative to deepen customer engagement and promote financial inclusion.

According to her, ‘With the growing shift toward cashless transactions and digital financial services in Nigeria, this campaign is designed to encourage customers to embrace more convenient, secure, and technology-driven banking solutions.

‘It also aligns with our broader goals of promoting financial inclusion, rewarding loyalty, and supporting the Central Bank’s drive toward a more digitally inclusive economy.

‘By linking participation to simple account opening, savings, and use of our digital platforms, we are bringing more people into the formal banking system. This is a practical way of driving inclusion in underserved communities.

‘The Mega Milli Giveaway is not just a promotion, it is a strategic tool that empowers and rewards customers while positioning Keystone Bank as a trusted partner in their financial journey.

‘Through initiatives like Save and Win, we also promote saving habits and foster long-term financial well-being,’ she said.

Rukayat Olatunji, unit head, Mobile and Internet Banking, Keystone Bank, noted that all customers with savings accounts are eligible to participate in the Mega Milli Giveaway.

‘For existing customers, simply carry out as many transactions as possible through our digital channels – the KeyMobile app, USSD *7111#, or with any of our cards – to qualify for the Transfer and Win category.

‘Alternatively, save at least ?10,000 monthly to stand a chance to win in the Save and Win category.

‘New customers can also participate by downloading the KeyMobile app from the Google Play or Apple Store to open an account, perform transactions via the bank’s digital platforms, or save N10,000 monthly during the campaign period.

‘Customers can qualify by conducting transactions such as fund transfers, airtime and data purchases, bill payments, POS transactions, and web payments,’ Olatunji explained.

Speaking on the prizes and rewards, Tina Ebuehi, department head, Retail Products and Value Chain Management, Keystone Bank, announced that all prizes in the promo will be awarded in cash.

‘Mega Win: A top customer will receive ?1,000,000 at the end of the Transact and Win segment after the sixth week.

‘Four lucky customers will win a total of ?4,000,000 – one winner each in October and November, and two winners in December.

‘For the Save and Win category: Monthly Draw: Five winners will receive ?100,000 each month.

‘For the Transact and Win category: Tier 1: Top 10 customers with the highest number of qualifying transactions will each win ?100,000 weekly.

‘Tier 2: The next 80 customers will each receive ?20,000 weekly,’ she noted.

Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering customer-centric banking, convenient and reliable solutions to every customer’s needs.

Ange Postecoglou’s future as Nottingham Forest manager is hanging by a thread after the club suffered a fifth defeat in seven matches, piling intense pressure on the Australian coach.

Despite Forest’s alarming run of results, sources close to the club indicate that the hierarchy is unlikely to sack Postecoglou during the international break, preferring to give him at least two more weeks to turn things around, starting with the home clash against Chelsea.

Club owner Evangelos Marinakis and the board, however, have demanded immediate improvement, as Postecoglou appears to have already lost the backing of a growing section of supporters. The Trentside club is reluctant to make a third managerial change this season but may have little choice if the slump continues.

Postecoglou’s recent record makes grim reading. Including his time at Tottenham, he has now lost 30 of his last 49 Premier League games, a run that firmly places his sides in relegation form.

Forest’s latest setback came in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday, with goals from Bruno Guimarães and Nick Woltemade sealing their fate at St James’ Park. That result followed a 3-2 Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland, during which Forest fans chanted, ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ at their own manager.

Since replacing Nuno Espírito Santo on September 9, Postecoglou is still without a win, overseeing five defeats and two draws in all competitions. Forest currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just above the relegation zone, having failed to win since the opening weekend of the season.

Postecoglou’s frustration boiled over after Thursday’s European defeat, where he clashed with a journalist when asked about his job security.

With a daunting schedule ahead, starting with Chelsea’s visit in two weeks, Postecoglou’s time at the City Ground could soon be up unless results improve dramatically.

Peter Odili, veteran medical practitioner and former governor, has given tips on how to reduce the ‘japa’ syndrome in Nigeria.

Odili, who is founder of the PAMO Medical University in Port Harcourt, said upward salary review would stem the mass exodus of medical doctors.

He also gave another tip, urging states to emulate Rivers by embarking on mass training of medical doctors through scholarship scheme, saying it would reduce ‘japa’ effect by replacing those that leave the country.

Odili spoke at the ‘Induction/Oath-taking’ of 65 newly graduated medical doctors from PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Iriebe campus of the university.

The first civilian governor of Rivers State after military rule is also the Pro-Chancellor as well as Chairman of the University he founded with his wife, Mary.

The former state governor said upward review of their remuneration would reduce brain drain witnessed in the health sector.

He stated the University has produced over 330 healthcare professionals in less than eight years of existence, adding that if other institutions across the country could move at the same pace, the country would have enough medical practitioners and will not be affected by unprecedented exodus abroad for greener pastures. He inferred that the country does not have the power to stop workers from moving beyond borders but suggested attractive salaries and fast reproduction of medical doctors could be better option.

The former governor who studied medicine at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through Fatima Kyari, a professor and Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), for bold step in the health sector.

Odili said: ‘We congratulate him (Tinubu) and we urge him to pay very special attention to the training of health professionals because they hold the key to national health. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

‘We must be healthy first before the wealth. So, congratulate him (Tinubu) and urge the Federal Government to invest more and also look at the review of the remuneration of health workers. That way, we would be killing two birds with a stone.’

Odili went on: ‘You can imagine what would happen when all the other schools across the country move at the pace PUMS is moving. Nobody will worry about who moves, running away with japa or whatever they call it, looking for greener pastures.’

The initiative began during Nyesom Wike when the school was started, but Sim Fubara continued it. Odili said: ‘So, let me use this opportunity to thank the Rivers State government, especially the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for the initiative and sustenance of the scholarships for students who are indigenes.

Kyari, while inducting the graduands into MCDN, charged them to be good ambassadors of the institution and the council.

She advised them to see their field of career as a calling and not a profession, warning that any person who indulges in any unwholesome practice would be sanctioned accordingly by the council.

The professor further warned the inductees not to build their practice on the trending artificial intelligence (A.I.), but on empathy with human feelings, which she said connects doctors with their patients.

The advice came at a time some prominent Nigerians have died because doctors were either never available or insisted on police report before attending to critically wounded patients especially at night.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Investment, has set up a regulatory committee to deepen digital market penetration and boost the exportation of African products.

The committee was set up at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Market Access Roundtable organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, hosting regulatory stakeholders from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa.

Jumoke Oduwole, minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, speaking at the event, said, ‘The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has committed to support your expansion into African markets. To do this, we will actively steer the regulators’ working group established yesterday. This group will continue the momentum of regulatory cooperation beyond this event, creating a working channel for addressing challenges and advancing solutions.

‘Also, we will explore opportunities for the passing of licenses. The goal is to create mechanisms where regulatory approvals in one jurisdiction can facilitate or expedite approvals in others, reducing barriers for firms operating across multiple markets,’ Oduwole said.

The minister lamented the poor exportation of Africa’s digital products and services delivered globally despite the talents and resources, urging the continent to collaborate to achieve desired results, leveraging the enormous potential that the Digital Trade Protocol holds.

‘For digital services, the AfCFTA opportunity is particularly compelling. Africa currently accounts for less than 10 per cent in digitally delivered services exports globally. But we have the talent, the demand, innovative experience, and now the regulatory framework to dramatically transform our levels of digital trade.’

The minister added that, ‘Currently, only 5 percent of Africa’s digitally delivered services are traded within the continent. This represents an extraordinary untapped opportunity for intra-African digital trade and overarching digital transformation.

‘The time to act is now. Nigeria has been designated as the African Union co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade. This is both an honour and a responsibility. To demonstrate our resolve, we commenced regulatory alignment and harmonisation of standards with our regional commitments, with a Digital Economy and E-Governance bill currently before the National Assembly. As co-Champion, we are committed to demonstrating practical leadership.’

Oduwole said the programme is designed to gain a clear understanding of market entry rules and processes across the countries, as they present regulatory categories, licensing requirements, and market entry processes and also have direct access to regulators through our clinic sessions this afternoon.

She tasked Nigeria’s digital service providers with compliance with domestic regulatory requirements at home in order to get the backup from the government on the international stage.

‘As the government creates these enabling structures, we also have clear expectations of Nigerian digital services providers. First, compliance at home is a prerequisite for support abroad. The Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Central Bank of Nigeria are all represented here today to provide consultations.

‘The government cannot vouch for your credibility in foreign markets without confidence that you have fully satisfied domestic regulatory requirements. Use today’s clinic sessions to ensure you are in good standing. Second, reflect clearly and strategically on your ambitions to invest across Africa.’

The minister promised that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will continue to support the efforts of digital services providers through targeted initiatives, which will be announced before the end of the year.

Calvin Phume, director, African Bilateral Economic Relations, Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa, described the collaboration as a transformational agenda crucial to harnessing untapped potential in Africa’s digital market.

‘This is a transformational agenda. We are trying to make sure that we take these opportunities that are derived from AFCTA. Under the digital trade Protocol, it gives us access as South Africans to collaborate with other Africans in terms of ICT and other digital services,’ Phume said.

The director added that South Africa will target key areas of collaboration, including iCloud, AI innovation, among others.

Elhanan Asara, deputy director, Fintech and Innovation, Bank of Ghana, emphasised the importance of the collaboration, describing it as an avenue to find solutions to export barriers and boost market penetration across Africa.

‘There is a deficit. There is a lot of IT import to the country, really formed by Europe and the Western world in general, compared to Ghana exporting IT services. This is also an opportunity to see if this is utilised in Africa instead of going to the Western world.’

Political parties under the umbrella of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) are demanding immediate legal reforms to strip the executive arm of government of its power to appoint the chairman, secretary, and national commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the nation’s democracy is under threat as long as the electoral umpire remains in the grip of the presidency.

They stressed that the change is essential to safeguard the commission’s independence and restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

They made this demand on Monday in Abuja during a consultative meeting between the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and leaders of political parties. The session, chaired by Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker, brought together lawmakers, party leaders, and civil society representatives to deliberate on key amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

Yusuf Dantalle, national chairman of IPAC, the umbrella body of registered political parties, said Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when INEC operates free from executive interference.

He proposed the establishment of an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) to oversee the appointment of top electoral officials.

‘To promote the independence of the commission, the power to appoint the chairman of INEC, its secretary, and national commissioners should be taken away from the executive,’ Dantalle said.

‘We propose an Independent Appointment Committee composed of representatives from all registered political parties, civil society organizations, the National Judicial Council, and the National Assembly. This will ensure transparency and inclusivity in the appointment process,’ he added.

Dantalle further outlined IPAC’s wider reform agenda, which includes granting financial autonomy to local governments, scrapping state independent electoral commissions, restoring funding for political parties, establishing an electoral offences tribunal, and creating special legislative seats for women.

According to him, these measures are crucial to ensuring credible elections and strengthening democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In his opening remarks, Kalu, the deputy speaker, described the constitutional review as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. He said the House Committee is committed to making the process inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the aspirations of all Nigerians.

‘If constitutional amendments are to be legitimate, they must have the buy-in of political parties. This process must not serve the interests of the few but strengthen institutions, empower citizens, and renew confidence in our democracy,’ Kalu noted.

Kalu also reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring greater representation of women in governance, fiscal independence for local governments, and an electoral system that reduces post-election disputes.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President in his goodwill message, commended the initiative of the House Committee and stressed that credible elections and justice are the bedrock of peace and stability in any democracy.

‘When elections fail, trust dies. When justice delays, faith decays. We must strengthen INEC, shield our courts from corruption, and restore the people’s confidence in their institutions. True federalism begins at the grassroots, and local governments must be freed to function effectively’, Akpabio said.

He also expressed strong support for women’s inclusion in governance, recalling his previous efforts to sponsor a bill for special seats for women in the National Assembly.

Also speaking at the event, Amina Bryhm, president, National Women Leaders Forum of political parties in Nigeria, described the proposed Special Seats Bill for Women as a ‘bold step toward correcting historic imbalances.’

‘The special seats bill represents a call to action,’ she said. ‘Together, we can turn our focus into action and our aspirations into reality,’ she said.

Two and a half decades after opening its gates to its first set of students, Whitesands School in Lekki, Lagos, stands as a living testament to a vision that began with simplicity but grew into a legacy of excellence, moral, academic, and human.

At its 25th anniversary celebration, the air was thick with nostalgia and pride. Alumni, parents, teachers, and administrators gathered not just to mark time but to reflect on how far the institution had come in shaping young men into disciplined, value-driven citizens.

The event, marked by mass, speeches, and nostalgic reunions, unfolded as both a thanksgiving and a reflection on a journey defined by vision, perseverance, and faith.

Founded in 2000 as the maiden project of the Ikota Educational Foundation (IEF), a non-profit NGO registered in Nigeria, the Lekki-based school was conceived as a model for holistic education. The foundation’s goal was to provide an environment where academic excellence and moral formation go hand in hand, with faith and family at the centre.

A vision rooted in character and faith

For Lorenzo David, the pioneer principal, Whitesands was more than an academic experiment, it was a mission. Recalling the early days, he described the challenges of starting with a small team and limited infrastructure but a deep conviction to build ‘men of integrity and service.’

‘When we began, the classrooms were still being completed,’ he said while speaking with journalists at the 25th Anniversary. ‘But the spirit of the school was alive, the desire to form young men who not only excel academically but live by values that endure beyond the classroom.’

Those early values, he explained, were anchored in Christian principles, discipline, and respect. The principal’s words drew nods from former students and parents, many of whom recalled similar experiences of formation that have guided them decades later.

The parents who took a leap of faith

Among the audience sat Ebiyemi Pinnick, father of the first admitted student, who recounted the uncertainty and faith that marked his family’s decision to enroll their son, Raymond Amanze Pinnick, in a yet-to-be-tested school.

‘Some of my friends said we were careless parents,’ he laughed. ‘When we came here 25 years ago, some buildings were still under construction. We didn’t know what would become of it. But we trusted the people behind the project, they looked serious.’

That leap of faith, he said, has since been rewarded. ‘Today, when I look at my son and other alumni, I see that while the boys were playful then, they were being built in character. They’ve become disciplined, responsible men,’ Pinnick said proudly. ‘I think I got more out of this school than my son probably did.’

His story mirrors that of several founding parents who took a chance on a school that was, at the time, little more than a bold idea and a promise of formation.

Forming men beyond academics

For the early graduates of Whitesands, the school’s most enduring legacy lies not just in academics but in moral grounding. Michael Agbim, a member of the pioneer set of 2006 and now a creative director and entrepreneur, said his six years at Whitesands shaped his values and work ethic.

‘You can get math and English anywhere,’ he said. ‘What set Whitesands apart was its deep-rooted Christian foundation, daily mass, meditation, and moral talks. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about building your conscience.’

He also credited the school’s community model, one that involved parents, teachers, and students, for giving him a sense of belonging.

‘The school always emphasised that education is a partnership. Parents were part of everything, from uniforms to formation activities. That made a difference,’ Agbim noted.

For Tosan Ayokunmi Wiltshire, the third head boy and now supervisor for Information, Intergovernmental Relations and Budget at Apapa Local Government, the Whitesands experience gave him confidence and a moral compass to navigate public life.

‘Whitesands was one of the greatest things that happened to me,’ he reflected. ‘It gave me the moral values and the confidence to take on the world. When we left school, we felt we were the best things after sliced bread,’ he laughed. ‘That aura stayed with us.’

Wiltshire believes the alumni community has much to give back. He revealed ongoing efforts to formalise an alumni bursary and scholarship fund to support indigent students.

A moral compass that transcends religion

For Pelumi Ladenegan, who is now a lawyer, Whitesands’ moral formation transcended religious boundaries.

‘I’m not a Catholic,’ he said, ‘but the moral teachings here were profound, sacrifice, kindness, orderliness, and punctuality. These are things I still carry with me 19 years later.’

Looking back on his school days, Ladenegan spoke fondly of the teachers who helped shape his journey, among them Tayo Fagbule, now the Editor of BusinessDay. ‘Mr. Tayo wasn’t just a teacher; he was like family, an uncle figure who guided me beyond the classroom,’ he recalled.

Asked if he would consider enrolling his future children at the school, he didn’t hesitate: ‘By the grace of God, absolutely.’

Strengthen family involvement in students’ growth

For Emeka Enemuoh, the current principal, the milestone is both a celebration and a reaffirmation of purpose.

‘Whitesands has never been just about academics,’ he said. ‘Our goal has always been to form men of character, men who will contribute meaningfully to society. We want our students to stand out, not only in their professions but in integrity and service.’

He explained that the school’s philosophy of integral education, a balance of intellectual, moral, and spiritual development, remains its strongest pillar.

‘We don’t only teach students to excel in exams. We train them to think critically, act responsibly, and live with purpose. Every teacher here understands that we are not just teaching subjects; we are forming lives.’

Reflecting on the vision behind making Whitesands a day school, he said it was a deliberate choice to ensure that parents remained active participants in their children’s upbringing.

‘It’s a day school because of our philosophy,’ he explained. ‘We want parents to see their children every day, to be part of their growth. If you send your child to a boarding school, you may not really know what’s going on until a term later. Here, the feedback is daily, and that makes all the difference.’

He added that the school’s emphasis on discipline and personal responsibility was designed to complement the home. ‘Education doesn’t happen in isolation,’ he said. ‘It happens when the school and the family work together. That’s why we made sure our model fostered that partnership.’

The 25th anniversary thus became more than a celebration, it was a testimony to a vision that continues to bear fruit, one generation of boys at a time.

Seplat Energy Plc hits a new record high on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), trading at N5,917.20 per share as of 12:30 PM (GMT+1) on Monday, October 6.

The stock gained 10 percent in Monday’s session, up from N5,379.30 at the start of trading. The rally reflects renewed investor appetite for the oil and gas major.

Market data shows buy-side transactions worth about N1.62 billion in Seplat shares. The surge places the stock among the day’s top gainers on the exchange.

While details of the large trades remain unclear, the price rally creates a visible gap between Seplat’s local and international listings.

At the start of trading, Seplat’s stock on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) was trading at £3.09 per share. At the prevailing exchange rate, this equals roughly N6,084 per share, a 13 percent premium to the NGX price at the start of the day.

The spread suggests a potential arbitrage opportunity for investors operating across both markets. Cross-listed stocks like Seplat often experience price variations driven by sentiment, liquidity, and currency fluctuations.

By midday, Seplat’s shares on the LSE had slipped 3.55 percent to £2.98 per share, thus narrowing the arbitrage to negative 0.7 percent. Analysts note that this divergence doesn’t necessarily indicate mispricing between two markets.

The NGX runs on a T+3 settlement cycle, while the LSE operates on T+2, a difference that can create short-term price gaps.