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The NNPC Ltd has reiterated commitment to the development and revamping of downstream across the country to enhance collaboration and drive efficiency in the sector.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2025 OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos on Monday.

A statement by NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Andy Odeh explained the conference’s theme was ‘Energy Sustainability: Beyond Boundaries and Competition’.

Ojulari said competition alone was no longer enough to drive efficiency, adding that operators must embrace collaboration, sustainability, and resilience as the new benchmarks for success.

‘At NNPC, we are committed to deploying additional infrastructure across the oil and gas value chain while revamping our existing downstream infrastructure nationwide. These assets will be accessible to partners seeking to store and transport products, supporting strategic alliances and collaboration in the downstream sector,’ the GCEO said.

He disclosed that a cocktail of factors ranging from strategic policies and fiscal incentives to transparent and well-structured regulatory frameworks exemplified by the PIA have engendered expansion and growth in the sector requiring new skill sets and further investments in new lines of business such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and mini-LNG projects.

He urged participants at the conference to discuss challenges and align on opportunities ‘to redefine energy systems in ways that are both profitable and sustainable, to forge cross-sector partnerships that transcend traditional competition, and to explore innovative business models and technologies that support decarbonization while driving economic value’.

The OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week is the continent’s leading downstream and midstream energy event for international organizations, policy makers, regulators, development organisations, operators, service providers, and consumers in the downstream energy value-chain.

Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have abducted 15 passengers between Obarenren Community and Idunwongie Community along the Benin-Akure highway.

The passengers were travelling in a14-seater Hummer Bus marked KJA 119 XF.

All the 15 passengers were taken into the bush by the kidnappers.

But Deputy spokesman for the Edo Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said eight of the passengers, including three children have been rescued unhurt.

Ikoedem said policemen from Ekiadolor Division were swiftly deployed to the scene.

She said the operatives pursued the kidnappers into the forest and successfully rescued eight victims, including three children, adding that the operatives were still in the bush to rescue the remaining eight passengers.

‘However, seven other passengers are still unaccounted for as efforts are intensely ongoing to locate and rescue them.

‘An aggressive manhunt for the perpetrators is currently in progress, with a full complement of technological support to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims while the driver of the vehicle is assisting the police with investigation.

‘The Edo State Police Command assures the public that no effort will be spared in ensuring the safety of all residents and commuters within the State. Members of the public are encouraged to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police formation.

‘Anyone with useful information is encouraged to kindly contact our emergency Control Room Numbers

Rapper Tochukwu Ojogwu popularly known as Odumodublvck has revealed how his stage name originated.

In a recent interview with BET Network, the rapper explained that the name came from a childhood moment that unexpectedly stuck.

‘Odumodu means masquerade. So I tried to scare someone and he called me that name and I was like, ‘no don’t call me that,” he recalled. ‘You know it’s that name you don’t want to be called.’

The name eventually caught on after an encounter involving his mother. ‘One day my mom came to visit me in school and they were like, ‘yo, Odumodu’s mom is around,’ and she’s like, ‘who’s that?’ And I’m like, ‘that’s what it is,’ then I started making music,’ he said.

Before adopting the name, the rapper went by another moniker, which he now dismisses as forgettable.

‘The name I had first was T Flows – whack name. There are probably like a hundred thousand T Flows in the world, but there’s only one Odumodublvck,’ he stated.

Odumodublvck added that his choice to embrace the name was deliberate, despite how others reacted.

‘If I didn’t bear that name Odumodublvck till the end of the world, there would never have been another Odumodublvck. When I told my friends that my name’s going to be Odumodu Blvck they started laughing. I said, ‘yes, that’s the point. That’s the name there,” he said.

Notable personalities are expected to grace the upcoming business and mentorship roundtable, Meet The CEOs, organized by the Skyewise Foundation – a platform renowned for empowering young individuals to become self-reliant and supporting emerging entrepreneurs.

The 5th edition of the programme, themed ‘The Modern Entrepreneur: Navigating an Evolving World,’ is scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Wuse, Abuja.

Among the dignitaries expected at the event are the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Charles Odii; Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Uzee Usman; and former Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete, among others.

Speaking ahead of the event, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skyewise Group and President of the Skyewise Foundation, Dr. Elvis Abuyere, said Meet The CEOs was conceived to bridge the gap between aspiring entrepreneurs and successful business leaders through mentorship, guidance, and collaboration.

‘At Skyewise Foundation, we believe that mentorship and exposure to successful minds are vital ingredients in building sustainable businesses,’ Abuyere said.

He added that this edition aims to equip young entrepreneurs with practical strategies for thriving in a fast-changing business landscape, bringing together leaders who have demonstrated excellence in governance, innovation, and enterprise development to share their journeys and inspire the next generation.

Dr. Abuyere noted that the event would also foster partnerships, investment opportunities, and networking that could lead to business expansion.

He recalled that previous editions of Meet The CEOs had recorded remarkable impact, including the empowerment of seven young entrepreneurs with millions of naira to grow their ventures.

‘Our goal remains to nurture business minds, strengthen Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and ensure that every young person with a dream finds a pathway to success,’ he stated.

The Meet The CEOs 5.0 event promises to be an engaging and transformative experience for entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and professionals seeking to navigate modern business challenges and unlock opportunities for national economic growth.

The Federal Government has expressed confidence the economy will attain the $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target set by President Bola Tinubu by 2030.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this known in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the European Union (EU) Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Mr. David McAllister.

Bagudu said the administration was working closely with local and international partners to achieve the goal, noting that the government’s growth strategy places significant emphasis on private sector participation.

‘Our President has set a clear target for Nigeria to achieve a one trillion-dollar GDP by 2030,’ the minister told the EU delegation. ‘This is ambitious, but achievable through partnerships such as ours with the European Union.’

In a statement by the ministry on Tuesday, Bagudu explained that the government’s economic blueprint is built around strong collaboration with the private sector, which he said would provide 86 percent of the investment required to reach the $1 trillion GDP target.

He said the Tinubu administration was determined to achieve double-digit economic growth in an environmentally sustainable manner within the target period.

‘We are pursuing growth that is both inclusive and responsible-one that creates jobs, strengthens productivity, and protects the environment,’ he said.

Bagudu credited the ongoing reforms under President Tinubu for placing Nigeria’s economy on a more sustainable path and expressed appreciation to the European Union for its continued partnership and support.

The Minister specifically thanked the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Gauthier Mignot, for facilitating Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 Global Gateway Forum and for securing a N320.5 billion (pound 190 million) credit line allocated to Nigerian commercial banks and financial institutions to boost lending to the agricultural sector.

He noted that the EU’s Global Gateway Project, which plans to invest pound 300 billion in Africa, aligns with Nigeria’s priorities of promoting a green, digital, and inclusive economy while enhancing healthcare, education, and democratic governance.

Bagudu assured the EU delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest. ‘We believe the absorptive capacity of our economy is strong, whether in agriculture or other forms of infrastructure. We are committed to partnering with you and fostering mutually beneficial relationships for our people,’ he said.

The EU delegation leader, Mr. David McAllister, described Nigeria as the EU’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa, accounting for a significant share of imports and exports between both regions.

McAllister said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration in critical areas such as clean energy, industrialization, and economic diversification. ‘We seek to encourage investment and renewal in clean energy, to bolster Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and industrial capacity, and to broaden cooperation and sustainable economic diversification beyond oil exports,’ he stated.

Afrobeats singer Teni has teased a new collaboration with American rapper Gunna on a track titled ‘Speed’.

The singer shared a snippet of the upcoming single on her socials, showcasing the bold fusion of Afrobeats and Trap that promises to dominate global playlists.

In the clip, Teni can be seen ‘vibing’ energetically to the unreleased track, confidently declaring it ‘the baddest song in the world’.

The instrumental is fast-paced and vibrant, perfectly capturing the dynamic chemistry between Teni’s soulful vocals and Gunna’s signature rhythmic flow.

This collaboration marks another significant milestone in the ongoing crossover between African and American music, with both artists bringing their unique styles to the table.

Teni, is known for her genre-bending hits like ‘For You’ and ‘Billionaire’, continues to push creative boundaries with her sound, while Gunna got smooth Trap style and chart-topping hits like ‘Drip Too Hard’ and ‘Speed It Up’.

Thousands of member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State on Tuesday held a solidarity march to back the guber aspiration of the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji(AMBO) and re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The supporters converged on Osogbo City Stadium and marched through Ayetoro, Igbona, Olounkoro, Old-Garage, Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, Fakunle to Ogo-Oluwa which covered 5km before they terminated at Tinubu/Shettima campaign office.

They described the NIWA boss as the best aspirant with the capacity and ability to deliver victory for the party at the 2026 Gov race.

Former Osun Speaker, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, said the walk was not just a show of strength for Oyebamiji but also a reaffirmation that APC remained the party to beat in Osun.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and performance, saying his achievements had rekindled faith in the party across the nation.

ý’This Unity Walk is to tell Osun people that APC is united and ready for 2026. Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji stands out as a competent, tested, and trusted aspirant with a track record of performance both as a two-time commissioner and as MD of Osun Investment Company Limited,’ Owoeye said.

Addressing newsmen, ex-commissioner, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke, said the large turnout of APC to support Oyebamiji was a testament of massive love by the party ahead of the December 13 primary.

‘It is obvious that Oyebamiji is an aspirant to beat in the APC primary. We are happy for this large turnout. We are ready and prepared for the primary election, any day, anytime we are ready.

‘There is no aspirant in APC that is not competent. They are all competent. But what we are saying, is Bola Oyebamiji is above all when it comes to APC as we speak, he is more acceptable, a gentleman, knowledgeable, and a financial expert. He is the one that can strengthen the economic situation of Osun,’ he stated

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ýKehinde Ayantunji, Special Adviser to former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, lauded President Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and Oyetola for their continued support for the APC since 2022, adding that their efforts had strengthened the party and rekindled public trust.

Izili, formerly known as Baobab+, has marked its 10th anniversary.

The firm renewed commitment to driving energy access and digital inclusion across Africa.

The celebration comes alongside the company’s rebranding, symbolising a new chapter in its mission to make affordable energy and technology available to all, even in the most remote communities.

Founded in 2015 within the Baobab Group, Izili was established on the conviction that access to energy and digital tools is key to unlocking the potential of African households, entrepreneurs, and communities.

The company, which operates in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and Nigeria, has distributed over 700,000 solar and digital products, directly impacting more than 2.5 million lives across the continent.

Its flexible financing options, last-mile distribution model, and partnerships with major players such as Baobab, Lapo, Nim, MTN, Orange, and Moov Africa have contributed to this success.

Earlier this year, Izili entered a new growth phase following the acquisition of majority shares by BioLite, a global manufacturer of off-grid solar solutions.

The move is expected to strengthen Izili’s capacity to deliver locally adapted, durable, and cost-effective solar and digital products.

Chief Executive Officer of Izili Group, Kolawole Osinowo, said the rebrand reflects the company’s continued dedication to improving lives.

‘For ten years, we’ve been working to improve our customers’ daily lives.

‘With Izili, we are reaffirming our mission: to bring access to solar energy and digital solutions to everyone, everywhere. We are Izili. We energise lives. We connect communities,’ he stated.

Controversial musician Portable has waded into the ongoing marital issues between actress Regina Daniels and husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

In a recent Instagram post, Portable advised Regina to remain loyal to the husband, cautioning her against leaving him for someone else.

The musician’s comments come on the heels of Regina’s cryptic post on Instagram, where she shared a stunning photo of herself with the caption, ‘Even when table turn, we go still dey chop for the table.’

In his advice to Regina, Portable emphasised the importance of loyalty in a marriage, stating that a wife who remains loyal to her husband enjoys life more.

He also warned Regina that no other man would treat her better than Ned Nwoko, who provides for her.

‘No go anywhere oooo. Reason before you go anywhere no man go make you happy like the man wey put you for house value what you have make you no go come back like Aya oba wey park comot for omo Ola house don dey beg to come back because no responsibility man out side na hook up full out.

‘Aya oba wey comot for omo Ola house don dey beg to come back because no responsible man outside na chop and go everybody won do,’ he wrote.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has underscored the North Central region’s strategic role in Nigeria’s economic diversification drive, describing it as a future hub for the country’s non-oil exports.

Speaking on Tuesday in Jos, Plateau State, while commissioning the Senator George Akume 250-seater Conference Centre at the North Central Zonal Office of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the SGF said the region’s abundant mineral resources and strong agricultural base position it as a key engine for growth outside oil.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume noted that sustained investments in transport and logistics would unlock the zone’s full potential, adding ‘with improved logistics infrastructure, this region can become a key driver of Nigeria’s diversification agenda’.

The SGF commended the NSC and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for their vision in strengthening the country’s logistics and maritime systems, describing the new edifice as ‘a statement of vision, a testament to commitment, and a reflection of the renewed energy driving Nigeria’s port and logistics system under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.’

Akume emphasised that economic progress across the world rests on robust infrastructure, noting that efficient ports, roads, railways, and dry ports form ‘the arteries through which the lifeblood of commerce flows.’

He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, to investing in critical trade and transport infrastructure across the nation-from the coastlines to the hinterlands-to enhance connectivity and competitiveness.

‘We are building an economy that thrives on connectivity. An economy where a farmer in Benue can ship produce seamlessly to Lagos Port, and an exporter in Jos can access global markets without unnecessary bottlenecks’, he said.

Applauding the NSC Executive Secretary, Barrister Pius Akuta, Akume lauded the Council’s role as the Port Economic Regulator and its efforts in bridging the gap between seaports and inland regions through the establishment of Inland Dry Ports and zonal coordination offices.

He explained that the newly inaugurated conference centre would serve as a hub for stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and capacity building in the maritime and logistics ecosystem.

Calling for deeper collaboration among government, the private sector, and development partners, Akume urged Nigerians to view infrastructure not merely as government projects but as ‘national assets that require protection, maintenance, and innovation.’

‘Government cannot achieve this vision alone. We must all play our part in sustaining the gains of infrastructure development and ensuring that they translate into prosperity for our people,’ he stressed.