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Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Ltd. and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have pledged to strengthen collaboration to promote engineering excellence technological innovation and national development.

The Managing Director of Midwestern Oil and Gas Engr. Elozino Olaniyan made the commitment when the NSE President Engr. Ali Rabiu and members of his delegation visited the company.

Olaniyan said engineering excellence had remained central to the company’s operations and contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

She said engineering underpinned its activities from drilling wells and producing oil to ensuring efficient energy delivery.

The Midwestern Oil and Gas boss who belongs to the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers the Society of Safety Engineers and the Society of Petroleum Engineers said she was committed to advancing engineering practice.

‘As an indigenous company we pride ourselves on contributing to Nigeria’s progress and look forward to partnerships and collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers’ she said.

Olaniyan said the company was willing to support NSE programmes and initiatives beyond its forthcoming conference.

She said Midwestern was committed to developing young engineers through practical training and industry exposure.

According to her the company engaged about 24 to 25 students in the last academic session through its six-month internship programme.

She said the interns gained hands-on experience in engineering operations.

Olaniyan also said the company would consider the NSE’s request for industrial visits to its facilities to expose young engineers to practical industry operations.

She asked the society to submit a formal letter outlining its proposals to facilitate further engagement.

Earlier Rabiu said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and exploring opportunities for strategic cooperation.

He commended Midwestern for its contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry noting that its operations supported the country’s energy security and technological advancement.

Rabiu said the NSE was strengthening professional development stakeholder engagement and institutional partnerships to enhance engineering’s contribution to national development.

He solicited Midwestern’s support for the NSE’s 2026 International Engineering Conference scheduled for Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 in Maiduguri Borno.

The conference themed ‘Engineering Innovation for Enhanced Security and Sustainable National Development’ will examine how engineering can address security challenges and promote economic growth.

Rabiu said the event would provide a platform for stakeholders to explore engineering solutions to security industrial development and national resilience.

He invited Midwestern to participate in the conference and support selected NSE programmes including initiatives for engineers’ spouses and young engineers.

He also appealed to the company to consider paying annual membership dues for some of its engineers.

The NSE president proposed collaboration in research indigenous technology development industrial engagement and capacity building for young engineers.

He said stronger partnerships between professional institutions and the private sector were essential to addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.

Rabiu also sought opportunities for NSE members to visit Midwestern’s facilities to gain practical knowledge and strengthen their professional competencies.

He said such engagements would help bridge the gap between academic training and industry practice.

Both parties expressed optimism that sustained collaboration would strengthen engineering capacity promote technological innovation and support Nigeria’s industrial development.

The Enugu State Government has faulted a widely circulated article by the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought Dr Sam Amadi criticising Governor Peter Mbah’s administration describing it as partisan intellectually dishonest and lacking in empirical evidence.

Amadi in an article titled ‘Peter Mbah Is Failing and Failing Unnecessarily’ had accused the governor of presiding over an atmosphere of political intimidation insecurity and suppression of opposition activities in Enugu State despite acknowledging his administration’s achievements in infrastructure development and revenue generation.

However the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Mbah on Mainstream Media Dan Nwomeh said he was taken aback by the article given Amadi’s reputation as a public intellectual arguing that it was characterised by unsubstantiated allegations extreme partisanship emotionally charged rhetoric and questionable statistical interpretations.

Nwomeh in his response accused Amadi of disguising political partisanship as intellectual analysis insisting that his arguments failed to demonstrate the level of research objectivity and scholarly rigour expected from someone of his standing.

He particularly faulted Amadi’s assertion that a person was shot dead at a political rally in Enugu every week describing it as a reckless allegation that required verifiable evidence.

‘Where are the names of the victims dates locations and police records? How did he arrive at this conclusion?’ Nwomeh queried challenging Amadi to substantiate the allegation rather than rely on sweeping generalisations.

He said Enugu had consistently been identified by security experts as one of the states with the lowest crime rates in the country citing independent assessments which according to him indicated a reduction of more than 80 per cent in violent crime since Mbah assumed office in 2023.

Nwomeh also highlighted the state’s investments in security infrastructure including thousands of artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance cameras drones nearly 200 patrol vehicles fitted with intelligent cameras and a Command and Control Centre for real-time monitoring.

He said the Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu had recently commended the facility and urged other states to understudy it arguing that the investments demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

On Amadi’s criticism of Enugu’s internally generated revenue (IGR) Nwomeh described his interpretation as misleading insisting that the state’s revenue growth was not primarily driven by increased taxation but by the recovery and commercial optimisation of previously moribund government-owned assets.

Citing the 2025 revenue figures he said tax revenue accounted for only N51.5 billion representing 12.6 per cent of Enugu’s N406.77 billion IGR while non-tax revenue contributed N355.2 billion or 87.4 per cent.

According to him technology-driven revenue tracking electronic payment systems and the elimination of collection leakages had significantly improved the state’s revenue performance.

A Large crowd of women in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following a grassroots mobilisation campaign by the socio-cultural group Nembe Se Unites.

The women made their position known during a sensitisation and mobilisation tour of Nembe City and Opu-Nembe organised under the group’s Ama-Ama (Village-to-Village) Tour for PBAT initiative to rally rural women behind the President’s 2027 re-election bid.

Convener of Nembe Se Unites Mrs. Beatrice Awululu said the initiative was designed to take the campaign message directly to women in communities and encourage their active participation in the electoral process.

Awululu said the women were encouraged by what she described as the benefits of the Tinubu administration particularly development interventions in Nembe and the wider Bayelsa East Senatorial District through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

She specifically acknowledged the contributions of the NDDC under its Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku noting that the commission’s interventions had strengthened the women’s resolve to support the President for another term.

According to her the mobilisation exercise also focused on voter participation with women sensitised on the need to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and turn out to vote in the 2027 elections.

She described women as an important force in grassroots politics and urged them to reciprocate what she considered the administration’s positive interventions by supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

Also speaking the Opu-Nembe Coordinator of the Ama-Ama Tour for PBAT Mrs. Seiyefa Clinton said the campaign was aimed at building political consensus among women and mobilising support for the APC and President Tinubu.

According to her the initiative drew inspiration from the traditional Nembe practice of collective deliberation through which community members discuss important issues and arrive at a common position.

Clinton said the women had resolved to speak with one voice and support the APC and Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Similarly the Secretary-General of Nembe Se Unites Mrs. Abel Ikiomuna Faith said the group’s message was for women across the area to unite behind their grand patron Chief Dr. Kojo Sam and work towards the President’s re-election.

She said the mobilisation was intended to strengthen unity among women and translate their collective position into active participation in the electoral process.

The group’s Leader in Nembe City Mrs. Inigoni Gamage and the Women Leader in Okoroma Mrs. Fakuma Ederson Zebidi expressed confidence in the group’s mobilisation efforts saying they expected the initiative to expand support for the APC ahead of the presidential election.

Awululu also commended Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri; NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; High Chief Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo; and Chief Dr. Kojo Sam for what she described as their support for Tinubu’s re-election.

ABIA State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has said that the debt profile of the state has dropped from ?147.2 billion in the second quarter of 2023 to ?48.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026 representing a reduction of over ?90 billion.

Governor Otti disclosed this during the October edition of his monthly media chat tagged ‘Dr Alex Otti Speaks to Abians.’

While addressing reports suggesting an increase in Abia State’s foreign debt obligations the governor explained that the development was connected to the drawdown of funds from existing multilateral loan arrangements including the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (ABSID) and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

He maintained that his administration had undertaken no direct borrowing and would only consider responsible borrowing for productive projects when necessary.

‘So far there’s no direct borrowing by the government. But that doesn’t mean we won’t borrow if it becomes absolutely necessary. We will borrow for regenerative projects at the right time’ Governor Otti stated.

The governor further announced that Abia ranked second in the 2025/2026 Climate Governance Ranking while over 5000 Certificates of Occupancy had been issued within three years.

He also disclosed that the new housing project in Umuahia had been oversubscribed with the balloting process for prospective beneficiaries expected to commence soon.

Governor Otti further announced that the CKC Aba water project was ready for commissioning expressing appreciation to the team responsible for its completion. He said the administration’s ambition was to restore the era when residents could conveniently access running public water in their homes.

He also announced that the solar mini-grid at the Nnenna Bus Terminal had been successfully energised and that electric buses had commenced charging at the facility.

He expressed optimism that the charging infrastructure at the new bus terminal in Aba would also be ready before its commissioning noting that the government was committed to exploring alternative energy sources rather than relying entirely on public electricity supply

On public health Otti said the state had activated precautionary measures following the index case of Ebola in Nigeria.

He disclosed that an isolation centre had been designated at the Modern Child Hospital although no Ebola case had been reported in Abia State.

The governor urged residents to observe the necessary health protocols without panicking assuring them that the government was prepared to respond appropriately should the need arise.

According to him more than 31000 screening exercises had been conducted while 1811 patients had undergone surgery including 304 beneficiaries of free cataract operations.

He explained that the free surgeries were provided to vulnerable residents who could not afford the cost of treatment stressing that the government would not allow financial difficulties to prevent people from accessing essential healthcare services.

While disclosing that another smart school would soon be commissioned he added that the number of smart schools planned for the state had increased to 21 following the approval of an additional facility.

Responding to questions Governor Otti assured that his government would ensure standardisation in both public and private schools informing that he had constituted a committee over two years ago to examine the government’s interventions in education especially their impact on private schools and how to ensure healthy competition between the schools.

He said the committee submitted its report and the approved position is that improvements in public schools would challenge private schools to raise their standards and remain competitive.

On concerns about fees charged by the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA) the governor said the agency was responsible for determining and justifying its charges in line with its revenue targets.

He explained that the agency could review the rates if it considered a reduction necessary adding that he would not interfere unnecessarily with its operational responsibilities.

He also explained that the government had assessed the road network and categorised projects according to their economic importance and urgency adding that priority was initially given to major roads in Aba and Umuahia because their deplorable conditions had discouraged businesses restricted movement weakened internally generated revenue and contributed to unemployment and poverty.

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State have declared their support for Governor Uba Sani ahead of the 2027 governorship election citing road construction in their communities.

The residents said they would support the Governor at the polls despite their membership of the opposition party arguing that his infrastructure development had earned their backing.

One of them Adamu Danburam a PDP coordinator in his area said he would vote for Uba Sani because the Governor had done for his community what the PDP had failed to do.

According to him ‘I am a staunch PDP member but for us politics is about individuals. Although we belong to the PDP I will vote for Uba Sani because he has done for me what the PDP could not do.

‘Even as a PDP coordinator in my area I will vote for Uba Sani because we should vote for someone who knows our community and has done something to improve our lives. I support him because he has constructed a road for us’ he said.

Danburam also prayed for the Governor to complete his tenure successfully adding that residents hoped he would address other challenges facing their communities if re-elected.

He specifically appealed to the Governor to provide a hospital electricity and clean drinking water for Birnin Da’a village.

Another PDP member Dogara Mohammed said he had never changed political parties but would vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election because of the road constructed through his community.

‘Everybody knows that I have never changed political parties but this time I will vote for the APC because of the road he constructed through our town.

‘The road will benefit many people including future generations. It will also help many people across the country especially those who use it to travel’ he said.

Mohammed added that the residents intended to reward the Governor for the project through their votes.

Similarly Hassan Adamu Abdullahi said the poor condition of roads had made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets in Soba and other locations particularly during the rainy season.

‘Before the road was constructed we faced serious difficulties because of the poor road network. It was difficult to transport our farm produce to markets especially during the rainy season.’

‘But now Governor Uba Sani has built a road linking Gurundafi Soba and Turawa. We can reach our destinations easily within a few minutes. We are truly grateful’ he said.

The residents described the road project as an intervention that would improve transport ease the movement of farm produce and support economic activities in their communities.

The Kaduna State Government has also built roads in other parts of the state including a 15-kilometre road linking Kasuwar Magani to Wusar in Kajuru Local Government Area and a 23-kilometre road linking Madaci to Madakiya and extending to Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna.

Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains have urged members of the Igbo community to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

They made the appeal at the annual Igbo Day celebration organised by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Bayelsa State chapter which was themed ‘Onye Aghana Nwanneya’ meaning ‘Be your brother’s keeper’.

Diri who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters Chief Collins Cocodia attended the event alongside the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri who was represented by the State Director of the City Boy Movement Chief Osom Blankson.

Diri urged the Igbo community to vote for Tinubu in 2027 describing the President as the right choice because of what he said were his contributions to peace and infrastructure development in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta.

The governor also assured members of the Igbo community and other non-indigenes of his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and security in the state.

He said non-indigenes had received more than 100 political appointments under his administration including the position of Commissioner for Special Duties.

Diri added that the security situation had improved claiming that kidnapping had become a thing of the past in the state.

Lokpobiri also urged the Igbo community to support Tinubu’s re-election arguing that the President had performed better than previous administrations.

He said the Tinubu administration’s establishment of the South-East Development Commission showed its commitment to infrastructure and development in the region.

‘A lot more is being done for the Igbos. It is more beneficial for the Igbos to vote massively for President Tinubu’ he said.

Ogbuku who donated a new bus to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo chapter also called on the Igbo community to support the President in 2027.

He said the people could reciprocate Tinubu’s support for development projects in the South-East including work on the Mbaise Bridge by voting for him in the next presidential election.

Ogbuku also cited the ongoing construction of the Ibi Bridge across the Benue River which he said measured approximately 2350 metres and addressed a development need that had persisted in the region for more than 30 years.

He said Tinubu remained committed to developing the Niger Delta and the South-East adding that more projects were expected in the two regions.

Earlier the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Bayelsa State Dr Frank Odunukwe announced awards of excellence to six personalities for their contributions to the state.

The award recipients included Governor Diri Mazi Onuma Johnson Commissioner for Special Duties Hon. Richard Akinaka the Bayelsa Central senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Chief Robert Enogha of Ayalla Group and the Commander of the Police Tactical Team Violent Crime Response Unit CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

The growing call by some political actors for media organisations to declare election winners has been faulted and described as an invitation to anarchy.

Speakers at a forum in Abuja which included media executives and representatives of civil society organisations said media houses CSOs and others should participate in collating election results but must not assume the role of announcing winners.

The forum tagged ‘Dialogue session with media executives on compliance with the national peace accord’ was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) with support from the European Union (EU) the International Press Centre (IPC) the Kukah Centre among others.

The Executive Director of the IPC Dr Lanre Arogundade argued that it was wrong to ask media organisations to declare election winners while noting the divergence in media allegiance in the country.

Arogundade who warned about the confusion such a practice could cause said ‘If we do that we will have Kenya 2007 in our hands.’

The IPC’s ED who spoke on the topic ‘The media as a partner for electoral peace and accountability’ said the media has the capacity to contribute to efforts to promote national unity peace and cohesion and mitigate violence during the 2027 elections.

He however noted the media will do better in this regard if society assumes responsibility for creating a peaceful atmosphere during this election season.

Arogundade added ‘Crucially too the media needs the support of the rest of the society to get it right during the elections adding that it has now become the responsibility of all to defend journalists’ rights to adequate protection welfare and resources while they perform their responsibilities.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) Dr Akin Akingbulu argued that contrary to what people might be saying ‘my take would be that because elections are counted and documented in the appropriate electoral forms the appropriate institutions get copies of these results.

‘Copies are also passed at polling units. Polling officers agents of parties and other relevant officials get copies. So the results are already in public space. So anybody can tell such results.

‘In my opinion it is constitutionally right for people to collate results especially if they were present in those polling units’ he said.

Akingbulu added that any political party that participated in any election but did not collate results cannot be regarded as a political party.

He said ‘What I did not support which is not lawful is the declaration of results because the Electoral Act 2026 gives that function to the election management body that is INEC. My expectation is that yes whether it is civil society whether it is the observers or other groups as they get the results why not? You can collate.’

He however stressed the need for people to be vigilant and ensure they are up and running in the months left before the next set of elections in the country.

A former National President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Wahab Odusile noted the key role of the media in sustaining societal peace and urged media owners and journalists to commit to promoting peace during elections.

‘The media too should be held accountable for the need to promote peace. We are called Nigerian journalists because we have a country called Nigeria.

‘We should be committed to peace. We should not use our pen to bring the country out of existence’ he said.

The Executive Director of the Kukah Centre who is also a member of the NPC Reverend Father Attah Barkindo said the event was intended to involve the media in his organisation’s efforts to promote peace during and after electioneering in the country.

Barkindo argued that creating a peaceful atmosphere during electioneering activities is not solely his group’s duty but a collective responsibility shared by everyone including political players and the media.

He blamed relevant state agencies for failing to prosecute politicians who violated peace accords after signing.

He said ‘The peace accord has been annotated to link it with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act but people still violate it.

‘In the past we have collected data on people who have violated the peace accord. We have information and data on violations of the Electoral Act and violations of the Constitution in relation to elections.

‘We handed this data and information to INEC and the police who are paid with taxpayers’ money; they don’t do anything. But people keep coming to the Peace Committee.’

A member of the 2023 Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje has urged supporters of President Bola Tinubu who feel disappointed with his administration to exercise patience and political maturity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Alawuje in a special message to Nigerians who worked for Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election acknowledged the frustrations of former campaign supporters who believe their contributions of time resources and energy have not been adequately recognised.

He cautioned them however against letting personal disappointments influence their political decisions or push them toward alternatives without carefully assessing the records and capacity of other political contenders.

Reaffirming his position on Tinubu’s presidency Alawuje said the President should be given the opportunity to demonstrate the full impact of his reform agenda within his constitutionally guaranteed tenure while remaining accountable to Nigerians.

‘My position remains that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the opportunity to demonstrate the full results of his reform agenda within his constitutionally guaranteed tenure while remaining accountable to Nigerians’ he said.

He urged Nigerians particularly those who participated in the 2023 presidential campaign to place national responsibility above personal grievances.

Quoting a piece of advice Alawuje said: ‘Don’t make decisions and particularly don’t speak when you are angry. Otherwise you may end up adding more unbearable pepper to the very wounds that caused your anger in the first place.’

He noted that many supporters had sacrificed their personal comfort finances and other opportunities to promote Tinubu’s candidacy enduring difficult campaign conditions and defending the President against political criticism.

‘You deserve to be heard. Your sacrifices deserve recognition. Your concerns deserve attention’ he said.

Alawuje however warned that disappointment should not become a reason to abandon political convictions or return to political interests supporters had previously worked to displace.

‘Let your disappointment not become your political destruction. Let your anger not become an instrument for restoring the very political interests you once worked tirelessly to displace’ he appealed.

On the emerging political permutations ahead of 2027 Alawuje argued that opposition politicians must go beyond criticising the Tinubu administration and show what they would do differently if given another opportunity to govern.

‘Have temporary economic difficulties completely erased our political memories? Must the pain of today make us romanticise the disappointments of yesterday?’ he queried.

He noted that while Nigerians had legitimate reasons to complain about the prevailing economic situation such frustrations should not prevent them from objectively assessing the records of politicians seeking power.

Alawuje acknowledged the realities of rising food prices transportation costs unemployment and other economic difficulties stressing that support for Tinubu should not mean ignoring the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

He also cautioned the ruling party against interpreting the opposition’s perceived weaknesses as evidence of public satisfaction.

‘Nigerians deserve better and the administration must continually earn their confidence’ he said.

On the economy Alawuje said Tinubu inherited serious structural challenges arguing that the administration’s economic reforms including fuel subsidy removal and changes to the foreign exchange system were difficult decisions whose consequences had significantly affected Nigerians.

While acknowledging the argument for economic restructuring he insisted that government must prioritise measures to cushion the effects of its policies on citizens.

‘The responsibility of government is not merely to introduce reforms; it is also to ensure that the people survive those reforms’ he stated.

He maintained that the success of the Renewed Hope agenda should be judged not merely by government intentions but by its impact on Nigerians’ living conditions.

‘The success of the Renewed Hope agenda must ultimately be measured by improvements in the lives of Nigerians not simply by the intentions of those implementing it’ he added.

The political advocate also appealed directly to President Tinubu to recognise the sacrifices of those who worked for his electoral victory insisting that genuine campaign supporters should not be forgotten after elections.

He observed that many campaigners were disappointed because their loyalty and contributions had not translated into the recognition and opportunities they expected.

Addressing the president Alawuje said ‘Those who stood with you in 2023 are human beings with families responsibilities aspirations and legitimate expectations.

‘They are not political statistics. They are not disposable campaign materials. They are not people whose usefulness ended immediately after the declaration of election results.’

He urged the president to ensure fairness in political appointments and opportunities while recognising the contributions of those who genuinely worked for the presidential campaign’s success.

According to him although political loyalty should not replace merit merit should not be used to overlook genuine contributions to the administration’s emergence.

‘The Renewed Hope agenda must also renew the hopes of those who worked to make it possible’ he said.

Alawuje further urged the administration to address the concerns of aggrieved supporters and ensure that those who invested in the political project did not feel abandoned.

Alawuje also challenged opposition politicians particularly former public officeholders to explain their previous records in government and present clear policy alternatives to Nigerians.

He argued that merely highlighting the economic difficulties confronting citizens was insufficient without offering practical solutions.

Despite his appeal for patience Alawuje insisted that supporters of the president must not abandon their responsibility to demand accountability better governance and tangible improvements in the economy.

He said Nigerians had every right to question unfulfilled promises criticise government policies and demand effective measures to ease economic hardship.

He called for greater accountability from the Tinubu administration improved living conditions for Nigerians and recognition of the contributions of those who worked for the president’s electoral victory.

Leaders from government business technology finance and civil society will gather in Abuja on Tuesday November 3 2026 for the second Oxford Global Think Tank (OGTT) Leadership Conference themed ‘Leadership for a Prosperous Future’.

Organisers say the meeting comes as artificial intelligence shifting global power demographic change and evolving economic realities reshape the world.

The conference is expected to examine the leadership choices institutional reforms technologies and investments needed to turn Africa’s potential into broad-based lasting prosperity.

Hosted by the Oxford Global Think Tank founded by Ms. Arunma Oteh the conference will be co-chaired by the Emir of Kano His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II and Mr. Atedo Peterside founder of the ANAP Foundation. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina former President of the African Development Bank and Executive Chairman of the Global Africa Investment Summit will deliver the keynote address.

Other speakers include Abia State Governor Alex Otti; the Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Minister of Women Affairs Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Afreximbank Executive Vice President Dr. Kanayo Awani; Securities and Exchange Commission Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama; and Flutterwave CEO Mr. Gbenga Agboola.

Participants will discuss how institutions can become more resilient and effective how technology and AI can drive productivity rather than deepen inequality and what leadership is needed to build economies that create and share value more widely. Sessions will be organised around three pillars: Resilience Innovation and Dynamism.

A special spotlight on AI will feature the launch of an AI Report and an AI Virtual Centre plus an exhibition exploring what emerging technologies could mean for Africa.

‘Africa’s future will be shaped by the quality of leadership and the choices its institutions and leaders make today’ the organisers said.

The Oxford Global Think Tank is an independent non-governmental and non-partisan organisation that promotes research and dialogue on development.

A massive crowd of supporters gathered over the weekend in Garun Gabas Ward of Malam Madori Local Government Area Jigawa State chanting ‘Tinubu Must Stay’ as the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi inaugurated a new grassroots campaign office to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event hosted by the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS)-popularly known as the Tinubu Must Stay Movement-brought together All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains community leaders women and youth groups across the state.

Addressing the gathering Abdullahi Chairman of the TMS Board of Trustees and National Coordinator said the movement is expanding its grassroots footprint to educate the public on the administration’s reform agenda and build solid support for the President’s anticipated re-election bid.

‘The essence of creating the TMS Movement is to go down to the grassroots level to enlighten citizens on President Tinubu’s reforms. He made it clear when he assumed office that economic diversification and inclusivity in attaining national prosperity are paramount to his reform agenda’ Abdullahi said.

Drawing parallels with Asian and Middle Eastern development models the NITDA chief argued that Nigeria requires policy consistency to achieve long-term economic transformation.

‘Countries like South Korea Singapore Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia show the importance of sustained economic reforms and policy continuity’ Abdullahi asserted. ‘Nigeria requires consistent implementation of development policies to achieve meaningful economic transformation and compete favourably with emerging economies. On this note I implore the people to come out en masse and ensure a landslide victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.’

Beyond political advocacy the TMS National Coordinator announced economic interventions including plans to empower an additional 200 women in Garun Gabas Ward. The initiative follows similar exercises across Jigawa State such as a recent drive in Hadejia where beneficiaries received financial assistance sewing machines bakery equipment and agricultural inputs.

‘We are here to thank and appreciate you for your continuous support for President Tinubu’s administration’ Abdullahi assured the crowd. ‘Once the President is re-elected you will continue to benefit from the many dividends of democracy just as you are presently enjoying.’

The ceremony also served as a reception for several defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) who formally aligned with the ruling APC. The defectors cited local infrastructure projects and digital interventions facilitated through NITDA as key drivers behind their decision.

Corroborating the impact of these projects the APC Chairman in Malam Madori LGA Alhaji Tanko Ahmad lauded Abdullahi’s role in advancing digital literacy in the region.

‘We will not forget NITDA’s intervention through the establishment of the ICT Development Centre at Government Secondary School Garun Gabas’ Ahmad noted adding that the infrastructure has equipped local youth with vital tech skills. ‘The TMS Movement has secured a permanent place in Garun Gabas.’

Tracing the movement’s expansion TMS Convener in Garun Gabas Engineer Hashim Suleiman highlighted its growth from initial diaspora organising to local implementation.

‘As you know the movement started some weeks ago. We started in the UK launched it in Abuja and are now at the community ward level. This is just the beginning as more grassroots engagements are expected’ Suleiman stated encouraging empowerment beneficiaries to leverage the support to build self-sustaining businesses.

The inauguration concluded with the local TMS leadership presenting Abdullahi with an Award of Recognition in appreciation of his contributions to technology infrastructure and community engagement. Organisers confirmed that similar ward-level launches empowerment drives and sensitisation campaigns will follow across additional local government areas in Jigawa State.