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Former Super Eagles winger Tijani Babangida has blamed Nigeria’s failed 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on ‘self-inflicted’ issues, insisting that former head coach Finidi George had the competence and experience to guide the team to qualification.

Speaking in a recent interview, Babangida expressed deep frustration over the circumstances that led to Nigeria missing out on a direct ticket, stressing that internal problems rather than lack of talent or technical know-how derailed the campaign.

According to him, Finidi’s track record with Enyimba and his understanding of the national team setup were more than sufficient to steer the Super Eagles through the qualifiers.

‘I believe if Finidi didn’t have that problem with the team, with the experience he has with Enyimba and the coaching he’s doing, I’m sure he would have cleared all those matches,’ Babangida told Brila Fm.’Because of that issue alone, we lost two matches and those two matches cost us our World Cup.’

He noted that once the internal tensions settled, particularly after the controversy involving striker Victor Osimhen, the team looked more organised and began to win again. However, by then the damage had already been done.

‘When I saw them come back, the whole team became settled and we started winning again. But it was too late for us at that time,’ he lamented.

Babangida criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for allowing the conflict between Osimhen and the coaching crew to escalate, arguing that the situation should have been handled swiftly to prevent it from affecting results.

‘The NFF should not have allowed that problem with Osimhen to escalate. They were supposed to do what needed to be done, but they didn’t. It was very unfortunate,’ he said.

Despite the disappointing campaign, the former Ajax star urged the NFF not to lose faith in Nigerian coaches. He argued that domestic managers should continue to be given opportunities, but supported the idea of pairing them with highly experienced European technical advisers.

‘NFF should not be discouraged from giving our coaches a chance again. They can always bring in a very experienced European coach to assist them, but the opportunity must remain,’ he added.

The Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) has conferred the Honorary Fellow on three veteran journalists – Dare Babarinsa, Nojeem Jimoh, and Owei Lakemfa.

They were honoured at the 34th DAME presentation in Lagos on Tuesday night.

DAME organisers said Babarinsa, co-founder of Tell Magazine, through his writings ‘continues to serve as a thought leader, guiding the public on issues of national importance’.

Regarding Lakemfa, formerly of Vanguard, the organisers said his ‘voice shaped national conversation for over four decades’, adding that his legacy continues to inspire others.

DAME Trustees said Jimoh’s legacy is mentorship and ethics. Jimoh was a former Editor of The Punch.

An Assistant Editor at The Nation, Chikodi Okereocha, won the Energy Reporter of the Year on the night.

His entry, ‘Electricity Act: Will states walk the implementation talk?’ published on June 10, 2024, was adjudged the best in the category.

The story examined the implementation challenges that faced the passing of the Electricity Act, raising questions about costs and balancing promises with risk.

Other nominees in the category were Olawin Oladare of The Punch and Moyosore Salami of The Guardian.

The Nation was a runner-up in many categories.

This newspaper was the first runner-up in Editorial Writing, won by The Punch. Vanguard was the other nominee.

The Nation was the first runner-up in the Newspaper of the Year category, which was won by The Punch.

ThisDay, The Sun and Premium Times were joint second runners-up in the Newspaper of the Year category.

The Nation Editor, Adeniyi Adesina, was the first runner-up in the Editor of the Year category, won by Tunji Abioye of The Punch.

Shaka Momodu of ThisDay, Iheanacho Nwosu of Daily Sun and Idris Akinbajo of Premium Times were joint second runners-up in the Editor of the Year category.

The Nation’s Taiwo Alimi was a runner-up in the Sport Reporting category, won by Peter Akinbo of The Punch.

Serial winner and The Nation Assistant News Editor (Weekend), Innocent Duru, was a finalist in the Health Reporting category, won by Sodiq Ojuroungbe of The Punch.

A former staff member of The Nation, Ibrahim Adam, was a runner-up in the Lagos Reporting category, won by Johnson Idowu of The Punch.

Folashade Ogunrinde of Premium Times won the Solid Minerals Reporting category with a story on how illegal mining led to the Ibadan fatal explosion.

Rakiya Muhammad of RM Times won the Child-Friendly Reporting. Sahara Reporters and ICIR journalists had the other nominations.

Elliot Ovadje of The Punch won the News Photography category. He had two nominations. A Blueprint photojournalist had the other.

Temitope Aina of The Sun won the Child-Friendly Photography category, beating Dayo Oyewo of The Punch.

Godfrey George won the Judicial Reporting category, in which The Punch had the three nominations.

ýAbdulRasheed Hammad of Ripples won the Investigative Reporting category, ahead of The Punch and HumAngle reporters.

ýOmolabake Fasogbon of ThisDay won the Education Reporting category. Premium Times and Prime Progress reporters were runners-up.

ýVanguard won Child-Friendly Medium. The Sun and Independent were the other nominees.

ýDaily Trust won Best Designed Newspaper ahead of ThisDay and Leadership.

ýThe Guardian was named the Best Designed Media Website, beating BusinessDay and ThisDay.

ýAbimbola Adelakun of The Punch won the Informed Commentary category.

Lasisi Olagunju of Nigerian Tribune and Azu Ishiekwene of Leadership were the other nominees.

ýVeronica Dan-Ikpoyi won the Television Reporter of the Year. Will Ibong of Channels was the runner-up.

ýýDAME Trustee Lanre Idowu said 665 names have entered the DAME Hall of Fame since its inception.

ýHe paid tribute to DAME Lifetime Achievement awardees who passed on recently, including Doyin Abiola, Christopher Kolade, Dan Agbese; as well as a DAME judge, Joseph Agboola and a DAME Ambassador, Evelyn Osagie (who was a journalist at The Nation).

ýIdowu urged the media to continue to hold those in authority accountable, adding that a change in national orientation was needed for national rebirth.

ýRegretting that many journalists unfortunately undermine the system, he stressed that good journalism plays a significant role in repositioning the country.

ý’Our media is trying, but there is a lot more for the media to do,’ Idowu said.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prince Lukman Fagbemi, has advised law students to prioritise developing strong advocacy and critical analytical skills to excel as advocates in the legal profession.

The legal practitioner noted that these skills could be developed through participation in mock trials, continuous practice, research, and mentorship, saying that this would enhance their confidence and prepare them for the complexities of the legal practice.

Fagbemi gave the advice at the grand finale of the maiden Moot and Mock Competition organised in his honour by the Law Students’ Society (LSS), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in collaboration with Lukman O. Fagbemi and Co. (Rahmah Chambers).

He described the competition as a valuable platform that provides students with practical exposure and strengthens their courtroom competence.

No fewer than 20 universities across Nigeria, including the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Benin (UNIBEN), and the host institution, UNILORIN, participated in the competition.

The competition featured multiple stages, including a primary memorial-writing phase, a debate and quiz competition, and a mock trial that was presided over by Magistrate Gbenga Abdullah of the Magistrate Court, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Following an anonymous review of memorials submitted by teams representing each of the participating universities by selected judges, UNIBEN, which emerged as the school with the best-written memorial, and three other institutions made it to the semifinals.

Speaking during the grand finale held last week, the president of UNILORIN LSS, Ibraheem Abdulrasheed, said the competition was conceived to help aspiring lawyers develop strong advocacy skills and to provide a practical platform where students can engage with real-life legal scenarios.

According to him, the competition also reflects the commitment of the LSS and the honouree to raising a new generation of lawyers who are not only academically grounded but also courtroom-ready.

At the end of the finals, UNILORIN emerged as champions, Crescent University came second, UNIBEN placed third, and Osun State University finished fourth. The winners received cash prizes of N700,000, N500,000, N400,000, and N300,000 respectively. Individual participants and teams were also presented with various awards.

In his address, David Ogundipe, Lead Partner at Earnest Attorneys LP, emphasised the need for every aspiring lawyer to continuously hone their advocacy skills, remain prepared at all times, and uphold integrity in all their professional engagements.

Ogundipe, who is also an alumnus of UNILORIN, noted that ‘the legal profession demands diligence, discipline, and a commitment to lifelong learning,’ adding that young lawyers must cultivate these qualities early in their careers.

The honoree, Prince Fagbemi appreciated the LSS for organising the moot and mock competition in his honour, noting that such initiatives help bridge the gap between theory and practice for aspiring lawyers.

Fagbemi, who served as LSS President during the 2007/08 academic session, pledged continued support to ensure the competition holds annually, describing it as part of his efforts to give back to the Faculty of Law, which he said shaped his legal career.

The event was attended by Prof. Muritala Sambo, a professor of constitutional law who represented the Dean of Faculty of Law, UNILORIN, Prof. Bashir Omipidan, as well as other lecturers, friends, and colleagues of the honouree.

The Zamfara Government has reiterated its commitment to promote peace building and conflict resolution and commended partners and Civil Society Organisations support towards achieving sustainable peace in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Malam Mani Mummuni, gave the commitment in Gusau on Tuesday while declaring a one-day meeting on ‘Empowering Community Security (ECOS) Early Programme for Katsina and Zamfara’.

The meeting was organised by the Civil Society Organisation, Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), in partnership with NEEM Foundation.

The meeting was organised under a project ‘Empowering Community Security (ECOS)’, on Regional Early Warning -Early Response (EWER).

The meeting was attended by traditional and religious leaders, members of the Community Peace Committees, farmers, herders, CSOs, religious organisations, and other relevant stakeholders from Katsina State and Zamfara.

The deputy governor described the meeting as one of the key achievements of the ECOS project in both Katsina and Zamfara.

‘This is timely, considering the needs and importance of peace and stability to society.

‘This aligns with the state government’s commitment under Gov. Dauda Lawal’s administration to promote peacebuilding, community dialogue, and conflict resolution and to ensure sustainable peace and stability among communities in the state.

‘As we all know, Gov. Lawal was fully prepared and committed to continue partnership with local, national, and international NGOs to promote peace, stability, and general development of Zamfara.

‘On behalf of the state government, I would like to commend VAI and NEEM Foundation for their contribution to peacebuilding in the state.

‘This initiative is not only timely but commendable considering the choice of the time and the target stakeholders from the two states currently affected by insecurity,’ Mummuni said.

In their separate remarks, the Emirs of Gusau, Abdulqadir Ibrahim-Bello and Kaura Namoda, Dr Sanusi Muhammad, assured the commitment of traditional institutions in the state to continue supporting projects for peace building.

In a determined effort to stem the tide of drug and substance abuse among students and youths in Calabar, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in strategic partnership with Devongnosis Education Ltd, has intensified its commitment by organizing a high-impact sensitization rally across Calabar state.

This initiative is in commemoration with the International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, underscoring the urgency and global significance of the fight against substance abuse.

The comprehensive campaign aims not only to raise awareness but also to instill lasting behavioral change and resilience among young people who remain vulnerable to the pervasive influence of drugs.

The rally, themed; ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Chain, Say No to Drug Abuse,’ brought together stakeholders from across the community, including the NDDC Calabar state office led by the state Director, Chief Daniel Ajunwa PhD, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NYSC members, the Police amongst others.

The march covered key strategic locations, including Mary Slessor Road, Calabar Technical College, General Hospital, and the University of Calabar, ensuring that the message reached a broad and diverse audience. Participants actively engaged in distributing educational materials, including colorful banners, informative flyers, T-shirts, and caps, all designed to reinforce the campaign’s anti-drug message.

Beyond the rally, the campaign incorporated vital health talks and counseling sessions aimed at equipping students with factual knowledge and practical tools to resist peer pressure and avoid drug experimentation. Several secondary schools, including Government Secondary School State Housing, West African People’s Institute (WAPI), Government Girls Secondary School Big-Qua, Government Secondary School Barrack Road, and Government Secondary School Akim-IBB way, among others, embraced the campaign, demonstrating a united front against substance abuse.

The event garnered robust participation from students, NDDC staff, youth corps members, security agencies, and community leaders, highlighting the collective responsibility and collaborative spirit needed to address this societal menace.

The Director Calabar state office, Chief Daniel Ajunwa, along with coordinators from Devongnosis Education Ltd, addressed the audience with compelling insights into the dangers of drug abuse, emphasizing its detrimental effects on mental health, academic achievement, and overall well-being.

‘It is deeply alarming to witness the rising cases of substance abuse among adolescents. This not only undermines their mental and physical health but also jeopardizes their academic futures and societal contributions,’ the speakers cautioned.

They strongly advocated for early prevention education as a frontline defense, urging students to embrace drug-free lifestyles and become champions of positive change in their communities.

The speakers further underscored that drug abuse is not merely an individual problem but a wider social challenge fueled by a network ranging from cultivators to traffickers, hence the necessity for a comprehensive, community-wide response. They encouraged vigilance, awareness of drug abuse indicators, and a collective commitment to breaking the cycle.

School representatives expressed deep appreciation to the NDDC and Devongnosis Education Ltd for spearheading such a transformative initiative. They lauded the campaign’s role in empowering young people to make informed decisions and resist negative peer influences.

This landmark event embodies a significant stride towards fostering sustained community engagement, enhancing drug prevention education, and ultimately promoting a healthier, drug-free generation.

The partnership between the NDDC and Devongnosis Education Ltd has set a powerful example of how strategic collaboration can empower youths with the knowledge and resilience they need to flourish without reliance on harmful substances.

Moving forward, this campaign lays the groundwork for ongoing initiatives aimed at nurturing a safer, stronger, and more enlightened youth populace across Calabar and beyond, demonstrating a resolute stand against the scourge of drug abuse in the Niger Delta region.

Determined to transition Lagos from a consumption-based economy to a productive, innovation-driven one, Lagos State Government has adopted the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programme to promote education and skill acquisition in science.

Marking the second edition of the Innovate Eko STEAM Day at the Government College, Lagos, Eric-Moore, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, held a sensitisation exercise aimed at promoting and integrating creativity and critical thinking into STEAM education.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, highlighted the importance of collaboration, accessibility, career guidance and educator support in harnessing technology to drive societal change and equip students with problem-solving skills.

‘Our focus in Lagos State is on having science-oriented students. In the past three years, we have prioritised recruiting science-oriented teachers because we believe the future starts from now.’ Alli-Balogun said.

He said the state was not just ensuring improvement in teaching and learning outcomes, but was also committed to nurturing students who were confident, courageous, and who could define their career paths while still in school.

Recounting the state’s achievements in STEAM education, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, said the Ministry had witnessed a 25 per cent increase in enrolment of STEAM subjects in participating schools.

She said Lagos State had dominated in STEAM education nationally, with its students winning top spots in the National Engineers and Scientists Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.

She said in the 2024 High State Assessment, 70 per cent of tracked primary school girls scored 70 per cent or above in STEAM-related subjects.

‘This is a testament to our success in dismantling barriers and engaging our young girls as future scientists and engineers’, she stressed.

Mrs. Dokunmu-Adegbite said since 2021, Lagos State had developed over a hundred students’ innovations, including prototypes for green energy and AI-driven tools.

She added that about 30 per cent of the innovations had advanced to the patent stage through dedicated funding from the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council.

She noted that the researches were not just statistics, it was proof that the youth were prepared for global issues, from climate change to digital development.

‘This search is interesting as it directly correlates to the ministry’s shift, through enquiry-based, hands-on delivery and funding of student-led projects that tackle our local challenges, like urban sustainability and digital inclusion,’ she said.

Renowned educationist and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, called for a complete overhaul of teaching and learning methods in Nigeria, insisting that the future of African development lied in a robust Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) ecosystem.

Delivering a keynote address at a high-profile education summit in Lagos with the theme: ‘Rethink, Recycle, Innovate,’ Prof. Okebukola declared that ‘STEAM education demands that we rethink outdated pedagogies, recreate collaborative learning ecosystems, and innovate with technology to empower the next generation of African problem-solvers.’

Mr. Opeyemi Eniola, the senior special assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, and convener of the programme, affirmed the demonstration of Lagos State in tackling challenges and preparing children for the future, adding that the platform aimed at inspiring creativity, encouraging problem-solving, and celebrating ”the ingenuity of our students.”

They came together with a shared vision to provide first-class education, combined with excellent moral and spiritual upbringing. Today, 30 years down the line, a group of Christian professionals from diverse fields consisting of captains of industry, bankers, teachers, doctors, accountants, architects, pharmacists, retired military officers and education enthusiasts, who initiated what is now known as Trinity Group and Trinity International College sure has a story to tell.

Accordingly, the Board of Governors of Trinity Group, last Thursday, visitedThe Vintage Press, the head office of The Nation Newspapers to tell their inspiring story of how they nurtured the group after its formation 30 years after. The delegation, which was led by Chairman, Board of Trustees, Trinity Group, Pastor Samuel Olatunji, included Chairman, Board of Trustees, Trinity University, Deacon Adebowale Tade; and Chairman, Board of Governors, Trinity International College, Engr. Bayo Kolade.

Others included Director of Education, Trinity International College, Mrs. Oluponle Rebecca Adeyemo; Principal, Junior School, Trinity International College, Mr. Nelson Omomo; Head, Corporate Affairs, Trinity University, Mr. Michael Bamigbola; and Human Resource Manager, Trinity International College, Mr. Smith Mukoro.

The school: Journey so far

Head, Corporate Affairs, Trinity University, Mr. Michael Bamigbola, who narrated the delegation’s mission to the Vintage Press editors, said in 1995, Trinity International College opened its doors to eight pioneering students at its temporary site in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ikeja, Lagos.

He also narrated that three years later, the college moved to its permanent site at Trinity Hills, Ofada, where it has since grown into a thriving community of faith, learning and excellence.

According to him, through the years, this mission has become a living legacy, carried forward by a dedicated community of administrators, teachers, parents, alumni, and board members – all working in one accord to build an enduring educational institution.

Bamigbola said the anniversary commemorates three decades of dedication to academic excellence, moral discipline, and holistic development of young people. He titled the theme of their celebration as, A Legacy of Excellence: 30 Years of Learning, Leadership, and Lifelong.

Welcoming the visitor

The Editor of The Nation, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, who represented the newspaper’s managing director, Mr. Victor Ifijeh, said he was not around because he had an appointment.

Adeniyi, who was joined by the Managing Editor (Editorial Services), Mr. Lawal Ogienagbon, said: ‘We were to receive you together, but our managing director just called in this morning to say that he had to go to Abuja, which he didn’t plan earlier. So, then he delegated that we should receive you.

‘We are honoured to have you. Well, we didn’t know you have this large number of people coming. So, you are welcome. Briefly, I will just say one or two things about our organisation. This is the headquarters of the Vintage Press, publishers of The Nation newspaper.

‘We have bureaus in Abuja, Enugu, Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt. We also have correspondents in all the states of the federation. We cover the entire country.

‘This newspaper was founded on July 31, 2006. When it came into life, those who founded it felt that they wanted to cover this country simultaneously in real time. At that time, newspapers were doing what they called first and second editions. So, the publishers felt that we had reached a stage that this country would be reading the same stories.

‘So, they decided that it was time for Nigeria to be in that mood. To do that, they had to buy three presses – one in Lagos, one in Port Harcourt, and another one in Abuja.

‘That way, we were printing simultaneously in three places. We produced paper in Lagos, but printed simultaneously in those two other places. That way, we were able to cover the whole country.’

With that decision and within six months of publication, the editor said the newspaper became among the top three in the country. He added that the organisation also publishes Sporting Life and Gbelegbo, a Yoruba Language newspaper.

Vintage Press hailed for its remarkable feat

The leader of the delegation, Pastor Olatunji, congratulated the Vintage Press for the remarkable feat it has achieved in a short time.

‘It is remarkable in many respects and of course no great surprise, the antecedents of the brains and the persons behind this great media organisation, who deliver nothing less than what we are seeing and witnessing today.

‘So, on behalf of our group, we will like to commend this great initiative and the great accomplishment in the few years you have been in existence. And the innovation, the change and the impact you have made in different sectors, both in your industry and outside your industry and especially in the Nigerian community – East, West, North and South – and also in our mother language, with a newspaper like Gbelegbo. We are assured that our mother language, which is dear to many of us, will remain preserved ad infinitum.

The college’s mission

The college, according to leader of the delegation, was established as a co-educational and full boarding institution that would nurture students into godly, competent, and responsible leaders, with a mission to provide a world-class education that develops the intellectual, moral, and spiritual capacities of each learner, while nurturing leadership and responsibility towards the society.

On how the Trinity Group started, the leader of the delegation recalled that people of their ages had good education, even though not with popular access.

‘It was not so affordable. Our parents were agrarian and they were poor. So, even in the same family, from the same mother, some would go to school, some would not go to school. Others would go to the farm, and all that. And that high-quality delivery waned in the course of time.

‘It got watered down. Missionaries lost out. They were taken out at one time. And increasingly, professionals were declining, country was declining, curriculum was stale, character was disappearing, discipline collapsed, and it was becoming increasingly worrisome to any normal parent.

‘And for us, coming from the generation of the 60s and 70s and early 80s, that had tested good world-class education, we reminded ourselves what we received, and what we believed we owed our children and generations coming behind and to make a difference, to make an impact? We came together. That was 30 years ago, in 1995.

‘So, that started this experiment. We started with the secondary school. And that tiny dream, but very passionate, had flourished exceedingly so well beyond our imagination.’

He said to the glory of God, committed members of the earlier group stayed together, and remain together over these 30 years.

‘Seven years ago, we got a university licence, by the grace of God, and we have three locations today. The Ofada, our dominant location, where we have three of our schools, the college, the high school, and the primary school.

‘We have a permanent site, a main site for our university, a few kilometres away from that same Ofada. But the university is operating what we call the city campus, just next door to Queens College. We have those three locations to confirm that we are Trinity in truth and in deed, by the grace of God.

‘Our deliverables are solid, and we have continued to defend the values that we stand for, like the missionaries of old did, to ensure that pupils are not just clever intellectually, but also good in character and in values.

‘This is the news I brought to you. And we are doing what we can to ensure the vision is preserved for every generation by the grace of God. So, that is the story we are celebrating.’

Others members of delegation like Deacon Tade and Engr. Kolade also spoke on why they kept low in the past and then decided to tell their story while celebrating the anniversary.

Mrs. Adeyemo said the Trinity’s journey has been a journey of faith, excellence, consistency and growth. She also reeled the editors with the landmark laurels and awards won by the school locally and internationally.

‘We are making an impact. And of course, to the glory of God, we satisfy parents with our legacy of excellence,’ she said.

The Nation’s counsel

Mr. Adeniyi and Mr. Ogienagbon lauded the delegation for their tenacity and commitments.

They asked them to keep telling their stories for others to learn from them. They pledged the support of the newspaper’s management to the group.

A real estate firm, Akmodel Homes and Properties, said it has expanded its foothold to the United Kingdom (UK), Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The company which is celebrating its fifth anniversary of resilience, innovation and commitment to excellWnce in the Nigerian real estate sector already has presence in Lagos, Awka, Uyo, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin, and Enugu.

Its CEO, Dr. Abdulhakeem Odegade, said in the few years of the company’s existence, it has expanded its portfolio with strategic projects, modern estates, empowered realtors, and strengthened its reputation as a brand with vision.

According to him, the company’s growth story is a testament to consistency, dedication and the belief that Nigeria’s real estate industry can thrive when excellence is placed at the center of service, he added.

He expressed gratitude to their loyal clients, partners, realtors, staff and supporters whose trust and commitment have fueled its journey.

Odegade said the company remained committed to raising industry standards, creating more opportunities, building sustainable communities and shaping the future of real estate in Nigeria.

From a humble beginnings, Akmodel Homes and Properties has grown into a trusted and influential brand, known for delivering quality housing solutions, fostering meaningful partnerships, and contributing significantly to economic development. Over the past years, the company has maintained its focus on integrity, professionalism, customer satisfaction and community impact values that continue to guide its operations.

The appearance of two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) each claiming to have the authority to represent General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) yesterday stalled proceedings in the suit filed by the company against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and others.

The matter is before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The confusion arose when the two lawyers – Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN) and Mr. Oluseye Opasanya (SAN) each announced appearance for the claimant.

Layonu informed the court that he was representing GHL.

Opasanya, who AMCON appointed as the Receiver/Manager over the company, also clamed to be the lawful legal representative of the claimant, given the company’s status in receivership prior to the commencement of the action which was not disclosed to the court.

The dual appearances triggered a prolonged legal argument over who was the proper counsel authorised to speak for the company.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa repeatedly sought clarification, asking both senior lawyers to identify the authentic representative of the claimant in view of the pending receivership.

With no resolution in sight, the court directed both counsel to file formal written addresses on the issue of representation. The matter was adjourned till December 3.

The disagreement over legal representation also frustrated the contempt proceedings initiated by GHL against AMCON.

The contempt application was predicated on earlier interim orders in which Justice Lewis-Allagoa had restrained AMCON and its agents from taking any recovery steps against the company, interfering with its assets, or appointing a receiver pending the hearing of a motion.

The underlying suit concerns Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 120 and 121, which were granted within a structured commercial and regulatory framework aimed at assisting First Bank of Nigeria to recover a substantial non-performing loan issued to Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited.

To safeguard the repayment of the loan, described as Outstanding Exposure, the former Department of Petroleum Resources (now NUPRC) considered permitting a qualified operator to run the assets and apply production revenues towards the debt.

It was in this context that GHL proposed to operate the two assets.

The Tripartite Agreement signed by GHL, First Bank, and AMCON expressly stated that one of GHL’s key considerations was resolving the Outstanding Exposure, while advancing Nigeria’s economic interests. GHL undertook financial commitments and received support from First Bank and later AMCON.

Under this framework, GHL became responsible for operating OMLs 120 and 121 and for applying production proceeds toward repayment of the exposure.

But AMCON and First Bank later alleged serious operational and financial misconduct by GHL’s former management, including revenue diversion, chronic non-payment of contractors, operational breakdowns, and the imminent risk of demobilisation of the FPSO operator-conditions that threatened the assets with shutdown and possible licence revocation.

Acting under sections 34 and 48 of its Act, AMCON appointed a Receiver over GHL on September 18. The appointment, by law, suspended the powers of GHL’s former directors from that date.

Despite this, the former directors initiated the present suit in the name of the company, allegedly without lawful authority, in what AMCON describes as an attempt to obstruct the receivership.

Since the Receiver assumed control, steps have been taken to stabilise operations and safeguard the assets. However, instead of recognising the receivership, the former directors have been accused of attempting to weaponise interim court orders obtained after the Receiver’s appointment, framing a restructuring measure as contempt aimed at undermining the Receiver and his counsel.

The Nursing Leadership Conference, themed ‘Developing the Next Generation of Quality Leaders,’ held on 10th November 2025 and hosted by Dr. Malvis Humphrey of the London Professional Training Centre, offered a transformative experience for over 500 nurses nationwide, attending both physically and virtually at no cost. The event was designed to inspire nurses while equipping them with practical leadership skills to enhance patient care and foster professional growth.

Attendees benefited from the expertise of a distinguished line-up of speakers, including the Director of Nursing Services of Lagos State, the Head of Nursing at the University of Lagos Medical Centre, and other prominent nursing leaders. Presentations provided insights into effective leadership practices, quality care delivery, and the evolving responsibilities of nurses in modern healthcare systems, emphasising how strong leadership can improve patient outcomes and institutional efficiency.

A blend of training sessions and interactive panel discussions allowed participants to engage directly with speakers, ask questions, and tackle real-world challenges. Nurses reported that these sessions helped them reflect on their leadership styles, identify areas for growth, and learn strategies for team and resource management. Peer-to-peer interactions fostered knowledge exchange and expanded professional networks beyond the conference. All participants received Certificates of Participation, with three additional days of follow-up training providing actionable tools for leadership, decision-making, and team management. Many nurses highlighted networking and mentorship opportunities as key benefits, noting that learning directly from seasoned leaders would enhance their immediate practice.