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The tax reform policy has been a debate that remained on the front burners of national discourse for obvious reasons. For the government, it is a policy that will bring in more revenue into its coffers; for the payee, it is one that will take out more money from his pocket.

However, the government, since its tax policy pronouncement, has embarked on a huge enlightenment campaign to sell the benefits in the reform policy to the public. In doing this, and owing to the quantum of the tax ‘business’ he now superintends, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has had to talk about it constantly to get the message across. ‘The Acts comprehensively overhaul the Nigerian tax landscape to drive economic growth, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment and enhance effective tax administration across the different levels of government.’

Yet, the government may have also found a way of mitigating the likely burden this policy may have on her people. For instance, there is a provision for an exemption of manufacturers and farmers from paying withholding tax as a way of reducing the tax burden on businesses.

‘We want to reduce the burden on businesses, promote competitiveness, equity and ease of compliance and tax avoidance, detect tax evasion and reflect what is happening globally. We are creating an exemption for with­holding tax small businesses and what we have in mind is N50 million. We have reduced the rate for real businesses to as low as two per cent- people producing goods and services because the margins are very small. We have created an exemption for manu­facturers- so if you are a manufacturer, don’t worry about withholding tax. If you provide input to manufacturers like farmers, don’t worry about withholding tax,’ Oyedele had explained at a forum in June 2024.

But this exemption may after all have to be taken over by some other categories of workers or ‘producers.’ Last week, Oyedele, during a tax education session in Lagos, made a pronouncement that has kept the cyber space buzzing with his declaration that from January 2026, the income of ‘runs girls’ would be subject to taxation. His logic, delivered during a tax education session at a Lagos church, was starkly legalistic, deliberately divorced from moral judgment: ‘If somebody is doing runs girls, right, they go and look for men to sleep with, you know that’s a service, they will pay tax on it. One thing about the tax law is it does not separate between whether what you are doing is legitimate or not. It just asks you whether you have an income.’

This announcement is a single, provocative thread in the ‘over 400 pages’ of what Oyedele calls ‘the most transformative, most significant tax reforms in our nation’s history.’ Yet, it has become the defining image of the new policy for many, a proverbial elephant that the public has latched onto.

A ‘runs girl’ is generally described as a woman, either single or married, who engages in relationships with multiple men for financial benefit. While some criticise this lifestyle as promiscuous, others see ‘run girls’ as resilient figures, adapting to economic challenges in their own way.

Burgeoning ‘runs girl’ industry

Curiously, the position of the tax man may have remained flabbergasting to several Nigerians, sparking discussions across the divide. But, a research survey conducted and circulated across the cyber space, may have given the government an idea of the ‘economic prosperity’ hidden away in the business- hence, its interest of getting its revenue cut from the commercial sex industry in the country.

A 2024 survey, widely circulated on social media, attempted to quantify this behemoth in Lagos State alone. The figures are nothing short of astronomical. The survey estimated that in 2024, men in Lagos spent a staggering N661billion to satisfy their sexual urges with commercial sex workers. Of this, N329 billion was paid directly to the women for their services, while the remaining N332 billion was spent on associated costs: lavish dinners, hotel rooms, gifts, drugs, and sexual enhancers. To put this in perspective, the proposed 2024 budget for the entire Nigerian Ministry of Health was roughly N1.1 trillion. The ‘runs girls’ economy in a single state is a significant fraction of the nation’s health budget.

A further breakdown of the demographics and economics of these revealed that of the 3.1 million sexually active men in Lagos, 1.86 million engaged in transactional sex. The average fee charged was N36,750, with premiums in affluent areas like Eti-Osa , encompassing Ikoyi and Victoria Island) reaching as high as N100,000 per transaction.

Crucially, the survey illuminated the profound economic ripple effect of this income, demonstrating that the N329 billion earned was not hoarded but actively and immediately injected back into the formal and informal economies. A significant portion, N93 billion, was cycled into the beauty and pharmaceutical sectors through spending on body and skin maintenance products. Furthermore, the industry served as a crucial source of financial support for extended families, with N62.5 billion sent home to relatives, while another N62.5 billion fueled commerce in clothing, accessories, real estate through rent, and the transportation industry. A surprisingly substantial N46 billion was directed into investments and speculative ventures like cryptocurrency, forex, and trading, highlighting a segment of workers actively seeking to build capital. Finally, underscoring their expenditure on personal well-being and advancement, N15 billion each was allocated to healthcare-covering antibiotics, supplements, and STD treatments-and education, for university programmes and other coursework.

This data paints a picture not of isolated, clandestine acts, but of a vibrant, high-value economic sector with deep interconnections to the mainstream economy. For a government struggling with revenue generation, this N329 billion pool of untaxed income represents a tantalising, if incredibly complex, prize.

Voices from the shadows

But Oyedele’s position on taxing ‘runs girl’ has been met with a mixture of disbelief, anger, and cynical amusement by the women it targets. For instance, a 24-year-old runs girl who operates in high-end hotels in Abuja, Amara (not real name), laughed hysterically when told about the policy.

‘Tax? On what? The money I use to treat my body and feed my family? Let me ask you, how will the taxman know how much I make? Will he be there in the hotel room to count the cash? Or will my ‘clients’ now ask for a receipt? This is just another way for them to harass poor people. The police are already collecting their own ‘tax’ by arresting us and demanding bail money. Now the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) wants its own share. They should go and tax the politicians first.’

Jennifer, a tertiary institution student in Lagos who says she engages in ‘runs’ to pay her tuition and support her younger siblings, expressed a more nuanced fear. ‘It’s not funny. They are saying this because they see us as easy targets. We are already stigmatised. If we try to comply, how do we do it? Do I walk into a tax office and say: ‘Hello, I am a prostitute, here is my tax’? They will arrest me on the spot. Or they will use the records to blackmail us. This policy is not well thought out. It’s like they want to drive us deeper into hiding.’

For Bimpe, a single mother of two in her 30s working the streets of Ikeja, the issue is one of basic survival. ‘My profit is what is left after I pay for my room, food, and my children’s school fees. There is no profit most months. If they take tax from the little I have, how will I survive? The government does nothing for me. No light, no good water, no security. Now they want to take from the little I hustle for with my own body. It is not fair.’

Global precedence

Nigeria is not the first country to grapple with the conundrum of taxing sex work, a challenge that forces a government to define its stance on legality, labour, and legitimacy. The relationship between sex work and the state can be distilled into a single, powerful transaction: the payment of tax. This exchange, or its absence, reveals whether a government views the worker as a criminal, a citizen, or something in between, creating a global patchwork of contradiction and obligation.

In Europe, the model is one of pragmatic integration. Germany’s foundational Act to Regulate the Legal Situation of Prostitutes (ProstG) of 2002 formally recognises sex workers as self-employed individuals. This status, governed by standard German tax law (EStG §4 and §), requires them to register a business, obtain a tax number, and file annual returns, allowing deductions for everything from professional attire to workplace rent. This framework grants access to social security and pensions, weaving the trade into the formal economy. A widely cited 2009 report by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) estimated the sector’s total economic contribution at over pound 6billion annually, a significant portion of which was taxable, despite ongoing challenges with full compliance.

Similarly, the Netherlands’ Lifting of the Brothel Ban Act (2000) allows workers in Amsterdam’s famed Red Light District to operate as independent entrepreneurs, leasing windows from the city and paying income tax. The goal is transparency, yet as reports from the Dutch Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) consistently document, the incentive to operate in the cash-based informal economy remains a persistent hurdle.

Moving beyond Europe, Australia offers a blueprint of assertive administrative oversight. In states where the trade is decriminalised, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) leaves no room for ambiguity. Its ruling TR 2023/1 explicitly states that income from prostitution is assessable and must be declared, with clear guidelines on deductible expenses. Crucially, the ATO actively enforces this, using data-matching technology under its ‘Online entertainment industry data-matching programme’ to cross-reference escort website advertisements with tax returns, ensuring this recognised business pays its share.

In stark contrast stands the United States, where a deep philosophical paradox prevails. Prostitution is largely illegal, yet the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandates in its Publication 17 that all illegal income, including from sex work, is taxable. This principle was cemented by the 1927 Supreme Court case: United States v. Sullivan, which ruled that the Fifth Amendment does not excuse filing a tax return. The state effectively demands its share while denying the work’s legality, creating a catch-22 where compliance is virtually zero.

This American contradiction highlights a critical question for the Nigerian context: what happens in regions where the very concept of a ‘red light tax’ is unthinkable under the law? The broader African context provides a clear, sobering answer. No African nation has a formal system to tax sex workers as a legal profession. Instead, the continent showcases a spectrum of state interactions defined by exclusion and coercion, a reality Nigerians know all too well.

In countries like Kenya and Nigeria, where criminalisation is the norm, a perverse form of informal ‘taxation’ thrives. As documented in an Amnesty International Report (2020) on Kenya and a Human Rights Watch Report (2022) on Nigeria, police systematically extort bribes from sex workers, creating a corrupt levy that funds predation, not public services.

Senegal presents a unique, health-focused exception. Its legal framework allows regulated prostitution, requiring health cards and confining work to licensed brothels. However, analyses by the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE) and the International Alliance of Women (IAW) confirm this is a model of regulation, not fiscal integration; the state monitors bodies, but does not formally tax their income.

Most telling is South Africa’s landmark stance. In a historic move for rights-based policy, the 2023 Draft Sex Work Bill includes a clause (Section 17) that explicitly prohibits the South African Revenue Service (SARS) from taxing a sex worker’s income until the profession is fully decriminalised. It is a powerful statement of principle: no taxation without representation and protection.

Between pragmatism and peril

Economists, legal experts and social commentators in the country are divided on the feasibility and ethics of the proposal. A Lagos-based public finance economist, Dr. Oluwaseun Adebayo, sees logic in the move.

‘From a purely economic standpoint, the principle of horizontal equity in taxation demands that all income, regardless of source, should be taxed equally. This massive informal economy distorts the market and deprives the state of crucial revenue that could be used for public goods. The N329 billion figure, if even half of it is taxable, represents a significant revenue stream. The intent to broaden the tax base is correct. However, the ‘how’ is a nightmare. Without decriminalisation or a specific legal framework that protects these women and provides a clear mechanism for compliance, this is more of a philosophical statement than a practical policy.’

For the Founder and General Overseer of Calvary Bible Church, Dr. Olumide Emmanuel, the issue remains a paradox exposing the nation’s contradictions as ‘the most religious nation on earth’ and at the same time ‘the most corrupt, and the poorest.’

Dr. Emmanuel, who is also a wealth creation coach, acknowledged that N661 billion revenue generation in the ‘runs girl’ sector alone in Lagos state, if true, shows the economic reality and prosperity in the ‘sector.’ ‘That is obviously an industry; anything that is producing that kind of money is an industry you should put your eye into.’

He however said there is a need to draw the line of distinction between business and morality, given the sensitivity and wider implications on societal values. ‘There is a difference between legality and morality. We need to understand that. Everybody that is earning an income must be taxed. So legally, yeah, if you make income, you should be taxed. There’s nothing legally wrong in that.’

‘But morally, what that now means is that we are legalising prostitution from the back door. It means that if I pay tax to you, then you cannot now come to me to say that the money I paid you, the source of the money is wrong. So, legally, it’s not wrong. You get income, you must be taxed. Morally, it’s disgusting,’ he concluded.

Yet, a human rights lawyer, Barrister Paul Mgbeoma, is concerned about the legal and safety implications.

‘Mr. Oyedele’s statement, while legally accurate in a narrow sense, is dangerously simplistic. It ignores the fact that these women are operating in a criminalised environment. Forcing them to declare their income for tax purposes is essentially asking them to self-incriminate. It could provide a new tool for law enforcement to extort and abuse them. The state cannot have it both ways. It cannot criminalise an activity on one hand and demand its fair share of the profits on the other. The first step must be a national conversation about decriminalisation or legalization, to ensure the safety and rights of the workers, after which taxation becomes a straightforward administrative process.’

Still, Pastor Best Ezeani of the Redeem Christian Church of God offers a moral and religious perspective.

‘As a man of God, I must state unequivocally that the church condemns sin in all its forms, and prostitution is a sin. However, the role of the government is governance, not morality. While we preach repentance and a change of life to these women, the government has a duty to manage the state’s finances. If the law says all income is taxable, then so be it. Perhaps this could even serve as a deterrent. But the government must be careful not to appear to be endorsing or profiting from sin. The focus should be on creating legitimate jobs and fostering moral rearmament.’

An Islamic Scholar in Lagos, Imam Sani Abdulaziz, shares a similar moral concern. ‘In Islam, this profession is strictly forbidden (Haram). To now formalise it through taxation is deeply troubling. It gives it a semblance of legitimacy that is against our religious tenets. The government should be focusing on empowering youth and women through halal means and strengthening family values, not finding ways to tax immoral earnings.’

The Challenge

The chasm between Oyedele’s legal pronouncement and its practical execution is vast, raising the critical question of how the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) could possibly operationalise this policy. The first and most fundamental hurdle, according to Mgbeoma is assessment and declaration: ‘Would sex workers be expected to formally file annual tax returns, declaring their gross income and then itemising deductible business expenses such as condoms, outfits, and hotel costs?’

This scenario, he said, seems fanciful, if not entirely absurd, within a context defined by widespread social stigma and active criminalisation of their profession.

‘Enforcement presents another monumental challenge; the notion of FIRS tax auditors being deployed to brothels and nightclubs is not only logistically implausible but also risks catastrophic clashes with law enforcement and would inevitably create new, vicious forms of extortion. Furthermore, while a small segment of high-end workers may leave a digital trail through online advertising and bank transfers, the overwhelming majority of transactions are conducted in untraceable cash, making any systematic tracking of income nearly impossible.

‘Finally, the alternative of shifting the tax burden to the clients-treating them as withholding agents-would be equally unenforceable and absurd, completing a picture of a policy that is conceptually straightforward but practically a minefield,’ he added.

Oyedele himself has urged Nigerians not to focus solely on this one issue, comparing it to the parable of the blind men and the elephant. He emphasises the broader, progressive goals of the reform: simplifying the tax system, exempting low-income earners and ending multiple taxations. Yet, it is this very ‘runs girl’ comment that has captured the public imagination, symbolising the reform’s ambitious attempt to drag the entire informal economy into the tax net.

Reflections

A public policy analyst, Mayowa Sodipo, may have summed up the diverse submissions of stakeholders’ views, especially the ‘paradoxical’ position submission of Dr. Emmanuel. He argued that contemplating taxing ‘runs girls’ is a stark reflection of the country’s enduring contradictions- a deeply religious society with a sprawling informal economy; a state with ambitious revenue targets but weak institutional capacity; a legal system that criminalises an activity whose economic contribution it now seeks to harness.

For the women like Amara, Jennifer and Bimpe, the taxman’s announcement is just another potential predator in a landscape already filled with danger. It underscores their precarious position-exploited by clients, harassed by police, judged by society, and now pursued by the treasury, all while being denied the basic protections and recognition afforded other workers.

The path forward is fraught. The German model of legalisation and regulation, according to experts, offers a pragmatic blueprint for successful taxation but would require a seismic shift in Nigeria’s social and legal fabric. As the nation grapples with this controversial proposal, the story of the ‘runs girl’ and the taxman has become a powerful allegory for the country’s struggle to reconcile its morals with its money.

The month of September was quite an eventful one for the Nigerian troops, according to reports from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

Troops, in the said month, killed scores of terrorists, arrested 459 others and rescued 180 kidnap victims during internal security operations.

The military high command said 39 terrorists also surrendered while 63 arms of various shades and 4,475 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the insurgents.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, who revealed these in a statement yesterday, said the operations were initiated in direct response to escalating threats, hostile actions, or in support of allied forces.

Kangye said the operations were executed with ‘precision, coordination and firm commitment to minimising risk to both our forces and civilians on the ground.’

According to the defence spokesman, the operations were executed under different joint task forces, including Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Fansan Yamma, Operation Enduring Peace, Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Delta Safe, and Operation Udo Ka.

‘Accordingly, 294 items such as grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) marking materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles and other items used in perpetrating crimes were also recovered,’ he said.

Kangye said between September 23 and 30, troops in the Northeast sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action.

He said: ‘Our ground forces, in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.

‘Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of their networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.

‘Troops eliminated scores of terrorists during their operations in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Gukba, Monguno, Damboa, Biu and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

‘They also conducted operations in Madagali, Hong and Mubi South local government areas of Adamawa State as well as Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, eliminating scores of terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition, while their camps were destroyed accordingly.’

In the same month, Kyange said, troops conducted clearance operations in Mafa, Magumeri, Konduga, Damboa, Chibok, Kaga, Abadam and Kukawa local government areas of Borno State, Mubi North and Hong local government areas of Adamawa State, as well as Geidam and Nguru local government areas of Yobe State.

‘During the encounters, 21 terrorists’ collaborators, informants and terrorist sympathisers were arrested. Arms, ammunition, logistics items, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials were also recovered.’

On the operations in the North West, the defence spokesman said that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) sustained operational tempo throughout the month with significant activities.

He said during the fire fights, some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims were rescued.

Kangye said: ‘For instance, from 23 – 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Anka, Bakura, Tsafe, Maradun, Shinkafi and Maru local government areas of Zamfara State.

They also carried out operations in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goroyo and Wurno local government areas of Sokoto State.

‘Additionally, troops conducted same operations in Shanono, Gwarzo and Tudun Wada local government areas of Kano State as well as Arewa, Mariga and Kontagora local government areas of Kebbi State and Kaduna Metropolis while JTF Sector in Katsina State covered Kankara, Faskari, Safana and Malumfashi local government areas of the state where a wanted terrorist identified as Ali Saidu was arrested.

‘During these operations, several terrorists were killed, 46 of them were arrested, and 13 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arrested terrorists are currently undergoing interrogation.’

He said in the North Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors.

‘For instance, from 23 to 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa and Jos East local government areas of Plateau State as well as Sanga and Jamaá local government areas of Kaduna State.

‘During the firefights, some extremists were killed in action, arrested 12 of them and rescued 4 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them,’ Kyange said.

Additionally, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their area of responsibility within the month under review, when they conducted operations in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Gwer West local government areas of Benue State as well as Takum and Nasarawa local government areas of Taraba and Nasarawa states.

‘They also conducted operations in Kabba/Bunu and Omala LGAs of Kogi State as well as Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT. During the operation, during which troops killed some criminals in action, arrested six suspected others, while two kidnap victims were rescued,’ he said.

On military onslaught against oil thieves and bunkers in the South-South zone, the defence spokesman said that troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered ?112,175,220 worth of crude from oil thieves, and destroyed 41 illegal refining sites.

He said the operation in the Southeast also recorded significant successes last month.

According to him, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the period between 25 and 30 September, conducting offensive operations in Ihiala and Orumba South local government areas of Anambra State as well as Okigwe LGA of Imo State.

During these operations, Kyange said, a terrorist was killed in action, four others were arrested, and weapons and, ammunition, vehicles and improvised explosive devices were recovered.

He said: ‘The Armed Forces remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the lawful execution of all missions in accordance with international and domestic rules of engagement.’

According to Kyange, the primary objectives of the military onslaughts were to disrupt enemy capabilities, secure key terrain, support humanitarian efforts, ‘and I can tell you that significant progress has been made.

‘The operation remains ongoing and our commanders on the ground continue to assess the situation to ensure stability and prevent further escalation.

‘We remain fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the lawful execution of all missions in accordance with international and domestic rules of engagement,’ he said.

The defence spokesman reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting civilians while also ensuring the safety and welfare of personnel.

‘As always, the safety of our personnel and the protection of innocent lives are top priorities,’ he said.

Police neutralise three suspected Lakurawa bandits, recover motorcycle in Kebbi

The Police Command in Kebbi State says its operatives have neutralised three suspected bandits and recovered a motorcycle in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

He said the incident occurred on Friday, at about 12:45 pm when the command received credible intelligence that a gang of suspected Lakurawa’ bandits had invaded Gorun Yamma village in Dandi LGA.

‘On the receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kamba, SP Bello Lawal, immediately mobilised a combined team of policemen and vigilantes to the scene.

‘The team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle which lasted for hours, leading to the neutralisation of three suspected bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

‘An unregistered red Honda motorcycle popularly known as ‘Boko Haram,’ was also recovered as exhibit from the scene,’ Abubakar said.

Troops destroy 41 illegal refineries, foil oil theft in Niger Delta

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 41 illegal refining sites and foiled oil theft worth over ?112.1 million in the Niger Delta in September.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

Kangye said the troops had maintained aggressive patrols and air reconnaissance to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage.

According to him, the troops had also recovered 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 1,900 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and 1,475 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from criminals during the period under review.

‘Troops also destroyed 41 illegal refining sites, 21 cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, 11 storage tanks, seven boats and arrested several suspects involved in the illegal trade,’ he said.

Kangye added that troops dismantled multiple oil theft networks and seized equipment used for large-scale bunkering, including pumping machines, hoses and generators.

He said the operations were carried out in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states with support from other security agencies.

The defence spokesman reaffirmed the military’s resolve to sustain its onslaught against crude oil theft, adding that the fight against economic saboteurs remains a national priority due to its direct impact on Nigeria’s economy and environmental safety.

He urged the host communities to support the security forces with timely information to help identify and disrupt oil theft networks operating in their areas.

‘Our operations will continue to target the sources, storage facilities, and transportation channels used by oil thieves until these criminal enterprises are completely dismantled,’ he said.

16 military officers face disciplinary action over misconduct

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 16 military officers will face a full military disciplinary process over indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

The military high command revealed this in a statement through the Director Defence Information, Brig -Gen. Tukur Gusau, yesterday.

According to the statement, the officers have been arrested, while investigation was still ongoing to determine the gravity of their offences.

The statement reads: ‘Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

‘Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.

‘Upon completion of investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.’

While assuring Nigerians that the actions are strictly disciplinary in nature and part of routine efforts to maintain order, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks, the military high command said the ‘Armed Forces of Nigeria will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority.’

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will remain professional at all times,’ the DHQ added.

The Abia State government has frowned at the attitude of some pregnant women who patronise traditional birth attendants for child delivery instead of the government hospitals.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti was speaking while commissioning the newly retrofitted Ohiya Primary Health Centre, in Ohiya, Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, regretted that many women have lost their lives due to uncontrolled complications at the traditional birth attendants, saying that, his administration is intentional about the lives of the people, especially the mother and child, hence his government embarked on the retrofitting of 200 PHCs across all the wards in the state.

He reiterated his resolve to take decisive action against operators of such traditional birth attendants to safeguard the lives of expectant mothers.

He urged community leaders to take ownership of the facility.

The governor disclosed that the state government would also build staff quarters for health workers and encouraged residents to make full use of the centre.

He later conducted a tour of the facility with the State Director of Orientation Agency, Mrs. Ure Abazie, and the traditional ruler of Ohiya, Eze Abel Uhuegbu.

It was a week of commemoration, a week of recollections, and a week of sober reflections. Nigeria turned 65 on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and as expected, the season brought with it the predictable cacophony of voices – the idealists who speak of what could have been, the cynics who amplify only the failings, and the hopeful who insist that in the balance of our national journey, progress has not eluded us. In this chorus of perspectives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose, in his Independence Day broadcast, to reframe the narrative, not in denial of the challenges, but in recognition that Nigeria’s story has been one of both adversity and advancement.

From his residence in Lagos, where he has been since returning from the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Olawolu Ladoja, the President’s words were as much a call to perspective as they were a commitment to perseverance. He insisted that Nigeria has neither failed nor stagnated, but has, like all nations, travelled a road marked by gains and losses, victories and setbacks. And significantly, he affirmed: ‘The worst is over.’

The President’s Independence broadcast was not an exercise in romanticising history, nor was it a blind indulgence in pessimism. Rather, it was an attempt to broaden the lens of national memory. He asked Nigerians to view the last 65 years not only through the prism of disappointment, but also through the prism of achievement.

Using data as anchor, Tinubu recalled that at independence in 1960, Nigeria had just 120 secondary schools. Today, that number has grown to more than 23,000. From a single university at Ibadan and a technical college in Yaba, Nigeria now counts 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education. Life expectancy, healthcare access, physical infrastructure, financial services, telecommunications, aviation, and IT have all expanded exponentially.

Of course, he did not ignore the dark chapters-the civil war, decades of military rule, insurgencies, and recurring economic distortions. But the point was clear: Nigeria’s 65-year history is not a tale of collapse, but of survival and renewal. ‘Yesterday’s pains,’ the President said, ‘are giving way to relief.’

That line struck at the heart of his larger message: the tough reforms of the last two years-removing the fuel subsidy, ending multiple exchange rates, stabilising the naira, expanding tax collection, boosting oil production, and diversifying exports-are beginning to yield results.

Yet, the Independence broadcast was not an isolated performance. Two days earlier, in Owerri, Imo State, the President had delivered what sounded like a prelude. There, while unveiling a book authored by Governor Hope Uzodinma and commissioning projects, Tinubu addressed a brewing storm-an attempt at international misinformation.

American television host Bill Maher had claimed that Nigeria was a theatre of ‘systemic genocide against Christians.’ The President was unequivocal in his rebuttal: there is no such genocide, and Nigeria would not permit a foreign narrative designed to manufacture chaos as a prelude to resource exploitation.

By taking the battle to the open, Tinubu demonstrated that he is not merely reacting to domestic concerns but is alert to international propaganda. His Owerri speech was a message to Nigerians and to the world: nothing escapes the attention of Nigeria’s leadership, and under his watch, the country would not be mischaracterised to suit external interests.

That clarity of response aligned with the earlier statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, but by owning the rebuttal himself, Tinubu asserted authority. He showed he is fully in charge, not just of policies, but also of Nigeria’s narrative.

If the Owerri outing was about defending Nigeria’s integrity, his Monday meeting in Lagos was about rallying resources for Nigeria’s future. Tinubu sat down with Bayo Ogunlesi of Global Infrastructure Partners and BlackRock, and Hakeem Belo-Osagie of Metis Capital-two of Nigeria’s most prominent global investment figures.

The symbolism was rich. Just as the Japanese Meiji Restoration of the 19th century mobilised all national forces-farmers, merchants, samurai, and the diaspora-to rebuild Japan into a modern power, Tinubu is reaching out to Nigerians everywhere. He is enlisting the financial warriors of the diaspora to channel their expertise and capital into critical infrastructure, energy independence, and sustainable financing.

‘Nigeria remains ready to partner with credible global investors, especially sons of the soil and Nigerians in the diaspora,’ the President said after the meetings. The message was unmistakable: rebuilding Nigeria is not the work of government alone, but of all her children.

In that sense, Tinubu is attempting a national mobilisation unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. By summoning Ogunlesi and Belo-Osagie, he reminded the world that Nigeria’s brightest minds abroad are not detached spectators, but potential builders of the homeland. It is a Samurai move-recalling every sword, every shield, every strategist-for a collective rebirth.

The week’s symbolism reached a crescendo on Wednesday evening in Lagos, when Tinubu officially inaugurated the renovated National Arts Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.

If the economic reforms are the bones of his Renewed Hope Agenda, and the diaspora mobilisation its sinews, then this cultural rebirth is the soul. By naming the centre after Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Tinubu underscored that national pride is not only in GDP figures or infrastructure, but also in the creative genius that has carried Nigeria’s name to the world.

‘Uncle Wole Soyinka is one of the most talented and creative minds,’ the President said at the inauguration. ‘It could not have been anyone else.’

The N68 billion renovation, funded by the Bankers’ Committee under CBN Governor, has turned a decaying relic of 1970s architecture into a modern hub for arts, culture, and creativity. Tinubu urged the creation of an endowment fund for its sustainability, insisting that it must not fall back into neglect.

In renaming the theatre after Soyinka, Tinubu also sent a message to Nigerians who indulge in speaking ill of their country: national heritage must be celebrated, not ridiculed. ‘This country will succeed,’ he said. ‘Lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first.’

Beyond symbolism, Tinubu backed his optimism with data. His broadcast highlighted concrete milestones of his administration’s reforms: record non-oil revenue exceeding N20 trillion in 2025, months ahead of target; debt-service-to-revenue ratio cut below 50% from 97%; external reserves at $42 billion, the highest since 2019; tax-to-GDP ratio raised to 13.5% with relief for low-income earners; five consecutive quarters of trade surplus, with non-oil exports now nearly half of the total; oil production back to 1.68 million barrels per day and domestic PMS refining for the first time in 40 years; stabilisation of the naira, with multiple exchange rates scrapped; N330 billion disbursed to eight million vulnerable households; mining growth surging, with coal rebounding by 57.5%; major rail and road projects advancing; sovereign credit upgrades and a booming stock market; and the Central Bank cutting interest rates after five years, signalling restored confidence.

This catalogue was not a self-congratulatory scorecard but evidence of a turning tide. If 2023-24 were years of bitter medicine, then 2025 is the year Nigerians begin to feel the healing.

The convergence of these events-Owerri’s rebuttal, Lagos investment meetings, the Independence broadcast, and the Soyinka Centre inauguration-reveals a President in full control of his agenda. He is not lurching from crisis to crisis, but following through on a coherent vision: defend Nigeria’s reputation, mobilise national and diaspora resources, reform the economy, and restore national pride through culture.

Critics may argue about pace or pain, but even they cannot deny that Tinubu has steered Nigeria into a new chapter. He is not only rewriting the country’s economic story; he is also reframing its self-perception.

At 65, Nigeria is neither a failed project nor a finished one. It is, in Tinubu’s framing, a nation in progress-tested, tempered, but still moving forward. The worst, he insists, is behind us. The future, he assures, is one of growth, renewal, and pride.

The 65th Independence anniversary was more than a date on the calendar; it was a mirror held up to the nation. In that mirror, President Tinubu invited Nigerians to see not only the scars of their journey, but also the strength. To see not only what is missing, but also what has been gained.

Even beyond the headline events of the Independence anniversary, the outing in Owerri, his engagements with global investors, and the inauguration of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s other activities and messages during the week were not insignificant; they too told parts of the Nigerian story.

On Monday, the President extended warm felicitations to the Minister of Defense, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, celebrating him as a consummate administrator and a dedicated public servant. The tribute underscored Tinubu’s continuing emphasis on recognising loyalty and service within his team, particularly as the Defence Ministry remains pivotal in the fight against insecurity.

Tuesday was marked by both solemnity and firmness. The President condemned the killing of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu in Abuja, directing security agencies to fish out her killers swiftly. The strong tone of his directive reinforced the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on violent crime. On the same day, Tinubu announced new appointments across three key agencies – the National Biosafety Management Agency, the Investment and Security Tribunal, and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation – signalling his intent to fortify institutions that touch on safety, economic justice, and culture. He also joined in celebrating human rights icon Dr. Tunji Abayomi at 75, extolling his sacrifices during the struggle for democracy.

Midweek, the President saluted Speaker Tajudeen Abbas at 60, describing him as a worthy partner in governance and praising his stabilising influence in the House. In the wake of the Ibaji boat tragedy, Tinubu urged water transport operators to put safety above profit, a reminder that governance must also speak to everyday tragedies and responsibilities.

On Thursday, he commended Kresta Laurel Limited on its 35th anniversary, recognising enterprise discipline as vital to Nigeria’s economic growth. By Friday, his schedule turned personal and spiritual as he traveled to Jos for the funeral of the mother of APC National Chairman, Professor Nantewe Goshwe, with plans to also meet church leaders across the North.

From Lagos to Owerri, from boardrooms with diaspora investors to the cultural halls of Iganmu, Tinubu projected sobriety, strength, and symbolism. Sobriety in recognising the mixed history of the nation. Strength in confronting misinformation and mobilising investors. Symbolism in honouring Soyinka and uplifting Nigeria’s cultural pride.

It was, in every sense, a week of commemoration that pointed not backward, but forward-a week in which the President widened the national gaze from gloom to hope, from survival to revival.

At 65, Nigeria has not arrived, but neither has it collapsed. And in Tinubu’s words and actions, Nigerians were reminded that the journey, though long, is still worth the walk.

To the modish and moodily confrontational Gbedegbeyo Television Station, an equal opportunity bastion of ethnic irredentism on the outskirts of the Ajisegiri Canal, as the aging but irrepressible contrarian, Lambert Alekuso, aka Baba Lekki, fielded questions on the state of the nation on the occasion of the sixty fifth independence anniversary. Like most die-hard Yoruba progressives of the old school, a pattern of wary engagement with the ruling party has emerged since the coming to power of the greatest political disruptor of the age: strategic silence when everything is going well and the government appears to be on top of its brief and intense commotion coupled with rearguard revanchist rhetoric about the need to revisit the amalgamation of the country when the nation is on edge. Baba Lekki seems to have mastered this double-edged brief beyond the call of normal duty.

This morning, the mournful drizzle that commenced around midnight had resumed duty after a brief respite as vast pools of murky water gathered on the sidewalks with angry commuters cursing careless motorists as they drove through the rivulets splashing and splattering everything in sight with foul effluents. As a result of the faceoff between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, the few stations still dispensing fuel were besieged by irate citizens screaming to get on the rowdy queues and off-duty miscreants heaving heavy-duty jerry cans. Public distemper was palpable and the atmosphere was pregnant with foul foreboding and imminent combustion.

Inside the hall, Baba Lekki sat on a lone chair rocking precariously from side to side and eyeing everybody in the hall with sullen contempt. He was approached by one of the female hostesses to find out if he needed some water to cool down and he snarled at the lady with such severity that the poor soul back-heeled quickly to the control room. He was obviously still smarting from the hostile reception he got at the security gate earlier. The rickety jalopy bringing him was flagged to a full stop by security people including a most impertinent woman. He was asked to alight and submit himself to a security search. After a thorough frisking, he was asked to remove a massive amulet dangling ominously from his breast pocket. The old man declined on the ground that it was an item of dressing.

‘If you are not a fool, will you ask Basorun Ogunmola to remove his isura or insurance?’the old man screamed at them. When the security people insisted, the he offered to go in naked whereupon he started removing his trousers. The lady fled just as their supervisor who had been monitoring from a control room jumped out.

‘Let baba go, just let him go, we don’t want any trouble’, he screamed at his subordinates as the old man sauntered away.

The lead interviewer thought he should begin by humouring the old codger who was as recalcitrant and truculent as ever.

‘Baba, despite everything, we must give thanks. At least the nation has survived’, he opened with syrupy smiles.

‘I don’t understand that kind of survival. It is the survival of an ayorunbo’, the old man snorted with his malignant humour resurfacing. The audience was stunned into total silence.

‘Baba, what is an ayorunbo?’ the second interviewer inquired.

‘He who has escaped from heaven’, the old man replied, deadpan.

‘Kai, kai dis Yariba baba na shege !’ one man dressed in babanriga hollered from the back of the hall.

‘So baba, what is the state of the Nigerian state?’ the lead interviewer demanded.

‘ The Nigerian state is in quite a state, which means the state is pregnant. But let me tell you this, we will not allow all the nonsense you are planning. No matter what happens the man there must spend his eight years, sam, sam. If anything happens, you can say goodbye to Nigeria’, the old man submitted.

‘Haba!’, the man in babanriga shouted.

‘You can haba till eternity. When you people were running the ruining the country and mismanaging everything, we didn’t disturb you, or did we?’ the old man queried.

‘So, it is now turn by turn mismanagement, abi?’ a well -dressed young man sitting in the front row demanded, his diction suggesting class and affluence.

‘Call it anything. Na you sabi dat one’, Baba Lekki retorted.

‘Dem Yoruba people don bring dem wuruwuru and magomago into dis matter again.’ One chap with an eastern accent screamed.

‘Thunder fire your mother. If you say another word, I will send akalamagbo to seal your mouth. Where was your mother when I was carrying poun-poun in Agodi Prisons because of Azikiwe in the fifties?’ the old man exploded. Pandemonium almost set in at this point. But things calmed down quickly.

‘Baba what is your view of the rumoured Jonathan entry to the presidential race?’ the lead man asked as he cast furtive glances around.

‘Call no man lucky until good luck has followed him till the end. Goodluck is Sigidi who wants to test his luck by demanding for a bath. Nothing must stop a small child from climbing the hill of Langbodo, ‘ the old man scoffed with apocalyptic relish. It was at this point that some well-armed militants rushed in through the backdoor and sent everybody scampering for safety.

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has debunked the claims in certain quarters that the party was covertly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said he was not aware of such an arrangement, stressing that the only thing he knows is what the party is doing to strategise ahead of the 2027 elections.

He, however, agreed that some party members could have their loyalty outside the party, but stressed that it is one of the problems that the party leadership is battling to solve. ‘We don’t know the rumours and talk, but what I know is what the party is doing. I only participate in what the SDP is doing officially.

‘But what I find out is that people who are in political parties tend to have loyalty outside their political parties. I think it’s part of the problems we try to solve by bringing more ethical leaders.

‘But all my politics, 100 per cent of my own politics, is done inside the SDP. And in this day and time, there is no way you could have a relationship with people that there won’t be evidence of. Either they will see you with them, you will take a photo with them, they will trace their money to you, or they will trace the activity to you.

‘So, if you really want to know where somebody belongs, if you want to know, other than just passing rumour or propaganda, you will know.

‘So, there may be elements of people in the SDP who have sympathies for other parties as well, but what we intend to do is when we catch them, we relegate them or expel them,’ he said.

On Nigeria’s 65 years of independence, he lamented that the leaders have failed to live up to the founding fathers’ dream.

He lamented that corruption and rule of law have remained a campaign thrust 65 years after independence, a development he said was quite unfortunate.

He noted that everybody knows that corruption is bad and unacceptable and should not be in the system, but lamented that instead of seeing it as something that should not even arise in the first place, successive administrations have used it as a campaign thrust.

He also stated that Nigeria’s perennial problems are traceable to its history.

He noted that the history of Nigeria is rooted in trade, that of an external necessity for trade. ‘Nigeria started merely as a trade zone, just like you have a free trade zone or export processing zone nowadays.

‘So it’s a zone. It’s like the arbitrariness with which they created areas for discos. Lagos disco, Ibadan disco, Benin disco, Yola disco, different discos, you know. ‘That’s how Nigeria was to the Royal Niger Company. It was just a trade zone. And those trade zones are different kingdoms and communities and all of that,’ he said.

One of the leading governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope in the country as it is already on the path of recovery.

According to him, the various reforms, programmes and policy direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, were already paving the nation’s path to recovery speedily and steadily.

In his congratulatory message to the people of the nation on the 65th independence celebration, Babayemi said the efforts of Tinubu’s administration had shown that the country’s problems were not irredeemable

‘With our trajectory as a nation and given our resilience and contributions at different times and levels as a people, we have continued to move on. Though we are not where we should be, however, we are no longer where we used to be. All these go to show that our seemingly chaotic situation is not insurmountable’, the notable aspirant said.

According to him, it was gladdening that Nigeria was beginning to wear a new transformative face due to the drive of President Tinubu anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘We must commend President Tinubu for painstakingly taking Nigeria through a new phase of developmental rebirth in different sectors in the country. The result of this will no doubt endure in the long run,’ he maintained.

Babayemi expressed the optimism that with sustained efforts by the Tinubu s administration at ensuring a better life for the populace, the dreary situation would soon give way.

Babayemi then pleaded with the people to continue to support the government advising that they must always give peace a chance in order to ensure the achievement of the desired tranquility and development.

‘Please, let’s always strive to seek peace; for that’s when anything meaningful can be achieved. In this strand, we must equally be law-abiding so as not to put people’s lives and property in jeopardy’ added the Prince of Gbongan.

Babayemi, while applauding the country’s founding fathers for their vision and efforts, praised past and present leaders at all levels for their contributions to the nation. He wished citizens, both at home and in Diaspora, happy and memorable celebrations.

Women of the Lagos Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Lagos gathered at St. Paul’s Church, Breadfruit, for their annual Praise Day, a celebration of thanksgiving, evangelism, and service to the less privileged.

Speaking on the significance of the event, the wife of the Vicar of St. Paul’s Church and leader of the Archdeaconry women, Mrs. Fadeke Oyediran, described Praise Day as a moment to appreciate God’s faithfulness.

‘Praise Day is an annual event we hold to thank God for what He has done and what He is still doing in our lives and in our churches. We would never take Him for granted,’ she said.

She explained that beyond worship, the women also highlight their charitable works, which include caring for orphans, the homeless and vulnerable women.

She cited the story of a blind girl, orphaned at a young age, whom the women have supported since childhood and who is now a 22-year-old student of Queen’s College, Lagos.

‘We are her parents. We also support a homeless woman and others in need within our community. That has been our work,’ Oyediran said.

Encouraging members not to relent despite economic challenges, she added, ‘As things are in Nigeria, some of us are still struggling, but we continue to help people. That is what God has asked us to do-win souls, invest in people’s lives, and do more for Him.’

Chairperson of this year’s celebration, Chief (Mrs.) Funke Arthur-Worrey, praised the women for their resilience and devotion.

‘With today’s economic challenges, you still find time and resources to care for the blind, the impaired, the homeless, and many others. I pray you will never be tired of doing good, and that the Lord will continue to bless you and your families,’ she said.

Lady Abike Ogundeyi, a member of St. Paul’s Church and co-chairperson of the event, emphasised the spiritual importance of thanksgiving.

‘When we praise God, we show gratitude for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will yet do. Praise brings joy, peace of mind, and draws us closer to Him. Even as a nation, things can change when we cultivate the habit of thanksgiving,’ she noted.

The Praise Day featured prayers, hymns, thanksgiving, and renewed commitments to evangelism and community service, with participants from the five churches under the Lagos Archdeaconry in attendance.

Ven. Dr. Julius Oyediran, Vicar and Archdeacon of Lagos, commended the women for their steadfastness. He said Praise Day was a time to reflect on God’s mercy, which has continued to sustain Nigeria despite national challenges.

As the governorship primary of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) draws close, one of the campaign groups in the state has decried what it described as the escalating wave of violence, intimidation, and politically motivated persecution being unleashed on members and supporters of the Engr. Kayode Ojo Campaign Organization in Ekiti State.

According to a statement released by the secretariat of the group, and signed by Kayode Oluyemo, it expressed deep concern over the arrest and detention of its members.

According to the group, on May 30, 2025, during one of its meetings at the residence of Mr. Moses Dabi, Oke Ago, Igede Ekiti, one of its members, Mr. Adebayo Itakorode, was falsely charged with kidnapping, detained for one day, and later remanded by the court. Although released on bail, the case has been repeatedly adjourned without resolution.

It also alleged that on July 12, 2025, at Otun in Moba Local Government hoodlums attacked the venue of its meeting, where its members were physically assaulted while others were also arrested during the attack.

He said several others were also arrested at different times, saying, ‘All these incidents have been duly reported to the police, yet no action has been taken.’

In addition, the group said that several campaign offices and properties linked to the group were attacked.

‘These developments constitute a direct assault on democratic rights and a grave violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution,’ the group said.

The group therefore demand the immediate release of all unlawfully detained persons, aside from ‘An independent investigation into these arrests, attacks, and the alleged collusion between government officials, security agencies, and judicial officers.’

In a bid to recognise and celebrate the achievements of African entrepreneurs, the Africa Trade Award is set to take place in November, alongside the launch of the book ‘Africa Disruptors’.

The prestigious award aimed to honour 23 exceptional individuals from six African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya – who have made significant contributions to their respective industries and communities.

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeanumba Media Ltd, publishers of The Lagos Times newspaper and Ikeanumba Africa magazine, Mr. Ayobama Ikeanumba, explained that the nominees were selected through a rigorous research and findings process, representing various sectors, including business, technology, and innovation.

These entrepreneurs have demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

One such entrepreneur is Alhaji Aliko Dangote, whose impact on Nigeria’s fuel supply has been transformative.

Before the Dangote refineries came on board, Nigerians spent weeks, even months, waiting in fuel stations. Today, thanks to Dangote’s game-changing intervention, fuel shortages are no longer a major issue, although price remains a concern.

The Africa Trade Award seeks to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes, encouraging them to continue pushing boundaries and inspiring others to do the same. By sharing their stories, successes, and challenges, the award aims to foster a sense of community and promote entrepreneurship across the continent.

Also commenting, Amb. Cornel Udofia, CEO of Cornel Media, noted that, ‘When you’re doing things, you may not know that people are watching and feeling you,’ adding that the Africa Trade Award is a testament to the power of intentional action and its impact on communities and societies.

Through this award and the ‘Africa Disruptors’ book, the organisers hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with hard work, innovation, and dedication, anything is possible. By highlighting the achievements of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, the award aims to drive economic growth, promote sustainable practices, and empower communities across the continent.