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Governor Bala Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investors, assuring investors of full government support in protecting their interests.

The governor further disclosed that Bauchi State’s investment drive is anchored on transparency, accountability, and innovation, citing strategic partnerships with Chinese firms in agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.

Mohammed noted that the state is leveraging its abundant natural resources, youthful population, and improving infrastructure to position itself as a major economic hub in Northern Nigeria. Bauchi is agriculturally blessed-Gov Zulum

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, says Bauchi is Agriculturally blessed state.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day Economic and Investment Summit, Governor Zulum said with 4.2 million hectares of land, Bauchi can achieve a lot in agriculture.

The governor, therefore, wooed foreign investors to come to Bauchi, as according to him the state has all the agricultural potentials needed for investment.

‘The agricultural resources needed by foreign investors and the hospitality of the people of Bauchi state is perfect enough to accommodate foreign investors.

‘Under the ease of doing business program, the government of Bauchi has provided the enabling environment for both domestic and international envestors.

The Governor, therefore, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for conceiving the Economic and Investment Summit.

He also commended the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his Green Revolution project which he said had made a serious impact on the Nigerian agricultural sub-sector.

On his part, the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, assured investors of legal protection from the state assembly.

Sulaiman said the summit was a demonstration that Bauchi state is charting a new course in economic revitalization.

He said the state was endowed with huge natural resources, hence the need to harness such resources in order to reduce reliance on the central government.

The speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the assembly to remain a strong ally in making Bauchi a potential for investors.

Obasanjo commissions Multi-Billion Naira Bauchi International Conference Centre

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, commissioned the Multi-Billion Naira Bauchi International Conference Centre.

Named Sir, Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi, the edifice was located directly opposite the Bauchi state Government House.

Obasanjo was accompanied by the Borno State Governor, Umara Zulum, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar during the commissions of the Centre.

While commissioning the structure, the former president described the gigantic project as a symbol of economic development and growth of Bauchi state.

He said the centre would help in boosting the economy of the state in various ways. He commended governor Bala Mohammed for the project.

Also, speaking at the Bauchi Economic and Investment Summit, the former president said without investment there would be no development, saying ‘investment summits like this will bring things together and encourage investment to develop the state.’

The two-day long economic summit organized by the Bauchi state government has commenced.

The maiden summit is aimed at unveiling 10 economic and investment potentials of the state for local and international investors.

The event coincides with the commissioning of the multi-billion-naira international conference buoy by the Governor Bala Mohammed-led administration.

Emirs of Bauchi, Ningi, Dass, Misau and Kataum are expected to attend the occasion.

The 10 economic potentials of the state to be showcased at the summit include Agriculture and agribusiness, Tourism, trade and commerce; industry, culture and heritage and Logistics, Transport and Value Chain Connectivity.

Other areas are Solid Minerals and Natural Resources; Energy and Renewable Power; Infrastructure and Urban Development; Education, Skills and Vocational Development and Logistics, Transport and Value Chain Connectivity.

The unveiling of these ten sectors demonstrates the administration’s pragmatic approach to rebuilding a resilient, self-sustaining economy built on innovation, inclusion, and partnership.

Former SGF Yayale Ahmed offers solutions to economic dev

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Yayale Mahmud Ahmed has called on the northern governors to invest hugely in education, good governance and capital development, saying ‘without getting this right, no investor will take us seriously.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first Bauchi Economic and Investment Summit, yesterday, Ahmed said the three sectors are factors to economic development and growth.

‘No society shall rise above the quality of its people and no people shall rise above the quality of their education. Meaningful as investment in education, it is impossible without good governance. Education requires more than classrooms and teachers; it requires learning and accountability, the hallmark of a sound governance.’

Ahmed noted that massive investment in education was not merely a social duty, ‘rather an economic strategy as it transforms potentially to productivity, citizenry to invest innovations and youth into leaders of productivity. But to sustain such momentum, a state government must be firm, fair and forward looking because good governance is the backbone of a lasting education. In truth, education and governance are two sides of the same coin.’

He advised the northeast governors to leverage on the existing agencies and parastatals at the national level to improve the potentials of their respective states by establishing a commission that will coordinate the economic activities of the region based on the potentials of the region.

Domestic investors vow to harness Bauchi economic potentials

Domestic and international investors have pledged to harness the economic potentials of Bauchi through massive investment in the state.

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tiamin Rice Milling Company, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu made the disclosure yesterday at the opening of the two-day Bauchi State Economic and Investment Summit.

Alhaji Aminu said the Bauchi state government has allocated 10,000 hectares of land to Tiamin company for rice production, saying that 90 percent of the allocated land had been cleared and ready for use.

He said ‘Tiamim rice milling company has so far invested 37bn in Bauchi state. We have constructed a 600-million-tons capacity rice milling company in Bauchi state.

‘Tiamin is leading in investment in Bauchi state. We are currently cultivating 8,700 hectors of rice farm in Bauchi and another 50,000 hectares of rice in Toro local government area of the state. We are planning for expansion.

Aminu assured the Bauchi state government of domestic investors’ commitment towards investing in the state, Bauchi is economically endowed with huge potentials.

Another domestic investor dealing in cement, Resident Cement Company has invested over 200 billion Naira in the state.

Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Commerce, Muhammad Salis Gamawa said Bauchi as an enabler of agriculture with 4.2 million hectares of Arable land is making farming possible, providing over 10 people access to wealth in the state.

‘These over 10 million people are into production of maize, sesame, rice and other farm produce. The government is planning for the establishment of a modern fertilizer production plant in the state.

‘Through the efforts of Governor Bala Mohammed-led administration, Bauchi potentials are being turned into reality. Over 40 different mineral resources have been identified in the state.

‘About 15,000 jobs have been created in the Cement Production Plant in the state. The state is also capable of generating over 5 million megawatts of Solar Energy. Bauchi can be an ICT hub in the northeast.

‘We have everything in terms of mineral resources to transform Bauchi into a better place for business. We have set a vision to make Bauchi an industrial hub of Africa in the next few years.

The nigeria civil aviation authority (ncaa) has warned airlines on the need to comply with the montreal convention which has been domesticated through the civil aviation act (caa) 2022he Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned airlines on the need to comply with the Montreal Convention which has been domesticated through the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022.

In particular, airlines were asked to adhere to the provisions of the Act in case of passenger injury or death, baggage and cargo loss and flight delays.

Spokesman of the aviation regulatory authority, Mr. Michael Achimugu stated this yesterday against the backdrop of persistent passenger complaints over lost baggage.

Daily Trust reports that cases of missing baggage are on the rise in the domestic market. In 2024 alone, 47,923 baggage belonging to air passengers were either missing or delayed on arrival among local and international airlines across the country’s airports.

More often than not the issue resorts in confrontation between airlines and the passengers.

Achimugu said, ‘Nigeria is a signatory to the Montreal Convention, which has been domesticated through the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022.

‘The Montreal Convention of 1999 was designed to modernize and unify the rules governing international air travel, especially regarding airline liability for:

‘Passenger injury or death; Baggage and cargo loss or damage; and flight delays. Accordingly, all operators within Nigeria are expected to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Act, as applicable.

‘In particular, domestic operators resorting to the Warsaw Convention or relying on baggage weight as the basis for compensation in baggage-related claims is a matter that must be discussed and firmly so.’

He reiterated that the NCAA as the apex regulatory authority, would continue to enforce the CAA 2022 and Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 which he stated ‘remain sacrosanct.”

‘Any airline that fails to apply the proper laws in dealing with baggage issues will be HEAVILY penalized going forward,’ he said.

Daily Trust reports that under the Montreal Convention, you must report lost baggage immediately to the airline and file a written complaint within 21 days of the baggage’s scheduled arrival date, providing all necessary details and receipts while the airline is liable for lost or missing luggage._:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that the country recorded over 19,000 incidents of fibre cut across the country from January to August.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday at a business Roundtable on improving investments in broadband connectivity and safeguarding critical national infrastructure

According to Maida, ‘Infrastructure attacks and vandalism continue to pose a challenge. Between January and August 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded 19,384 fibre cut incidents, 3,241 cases of equipment theft, and over 19,000 cases of denials of access to telecom sites.

‘Together, these disruptions have caused prolonged outages, revenue losses, increased security costs, and delayed service restoration. They demonstrate why infrastructure protection must be at the centre of our collective agenda.’ Speaking further, he noted that ‘Another persistent challenge facing broadband expansion in Nigeria is the fragmented and unpredictable Right of Way (RoW) regimes across different states, which create delays and cost uncertainties for operators.

‘This problem is compounded by inconsistent enforcement of critical infrastructure protection, weak coordination with road authorities, and the absence of clear construction planning protocols.

‘Beyond these, the sector continues to contend with energy supply volatility, multiple taxation, and cumbersome permitting processes, all of which pose significant headwinds to progress.

One of the most significant barriers to broadband deployment in Nigeria has been the high cost of Right of Way (RoW) fees charged by state governments, despite a resolution by the Nigerian Governors Forum fixing the rate at N145 per linear meter,’ he said.

He however noted that the NCC is working to address the challenges.

‘Recognising this challenge, the Commission intensified advocacy with states to reduce or waive these fees to accelerate broadband rollout. Within the past two years, five additional states-Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, and Zamfara-have waived RoW fees entirely.

‘This brings the total number of states offering zero RoW charges to eleven (11), while 17 states have capped it at N145 per metre. Our sustained engagement with state governments, including today’s gathering underscores our commitment to creating an enabling environment for broadband expansion. We are also promoting the ‘dig-once’ coordination with public works to cut avoidable fibre damage and lower civil-works costs by sharing ducts and plans. Our goal is uniform, predictable RoW countrywide, paired with clear permitting SLAs,’ he said.

He added that in line with economic regulatory mandate, earlier this year, the Commission approved the application of tariff rates that are both cost-reflective and competitive within the telecommunications industry, adding that the NCC has commissioned a wholesale Fibre Study, which is likely to open up existing backbone, and any built in the future,

He further stated that as of August 2025, Nigeria had achieved a broadband penetration rate of roughly 48.81% with over 140 million people having internet access.

When Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), assumed the role of interim chairman of the newly launched African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), many across the continent’s oil and gas sector hailed it as a watershed moment. His elevation was not just a personal milestone but a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the governance of Africa’s energy future. Yet, even as praise pours in, questions linger about capacity, politics, and the sustainability of the project.

The launch and charter-signing of AFRIPERF took place on September 18, 2025, during Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana. Sixteen African countries participated, and eight of them – including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo – formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter. Seven others pledged to join after domestic consultations. Komolafe was unanimously selected as interim chairman, a role that effectively positions Nigeria at the forefront of continental oil and gas regulation.

The forum’s objective is ambitious but urgent: to harmonise petroleum laws, standards, and regulatory practices across Africa. Over the decades, differences in national legislation, fiscal regimes, and licensing procedures have discouraged cross-border investments and weakened collective bargaining power. AFRIPERF is conceived to bridge those divides by creating a platform for knowledge exchange, peer review, and regional cooperation.

According to its charter, AFRIPERF will operate through an Executive Committee of national regulators, a Technical Committee of industry experts, and a rotating Secretariat to coordinate activities among member states. The framework builds on Nigeria’s earlier leadership in regulatory reform under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.

Komolafe, who first proposed the idea of a continental regulatory network in 2023, has long argued that Africa must ‘own its resources with efficiency and integrity’ rather than compete in isolation. The Abuja Declaration, introduced during Nigeria Oil and Gas Week in 2024, laid the philosophical foundation for AFRIPERF – emphasising transparency, environmental responsibility, and collaboration. The Accra meeting in 2025 marked the institutional birth of that vision.

The symbolism is significant. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most experienced hydrocarbon producers, and its reform-driven regulatory commission has been widely seen as a model of post-PIA transformation. Komolafe’s emergence as the forum’s interim head therefore reinforces the view that Nigeria can export regulatory expertise in addition to crude oil.

Nigeria’s Reformist Reputation Meets Continental Expectations

Komolafe’s tenure at NUPRC offers clues about what to expect from his new continental assignment. Since assuming office, he has pushed reforms to digitise upstream licensing, streamline approvals, strengthen host community engagement, and curb oil theft through tighter metering systems. Under his leadership, the Commission has prioritised data transparency, community participation, and gas monetisation – themes that resonate with AFRIPERF’s founding principles.

But moving from national regulation to continental coordination is an entirely different challenge. Africa’s oil-producing nations operate under vastly different fiscal models, political pressures, and institutional capacities. Some have mature frameworks with digital monitoring systems; others still rely on paper records and manual audits. Aligning these disparities will test both Komolafe’s diplomatic skill and the credibility of the new forum.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Pan-African Regulatory Excellence Forum (PAREF), an industry think tank, commended Komolafe’s appointment as ‘a fitting recognition of Nigeria’s reform trajectory and the strength of his leadership.’ The statement, signed by its executive director, Dr Aisha Njoroge, described the AFRIPERF chairmanship as ‘an opportunity to turn the rhetoric of regional cooperation into measurable results’.

According to her, ‘The success of AFRIPERF will depend not on the size of its membership but on the quality of its deliverables. It must demonstrate practical value by harmonising gas measurement standards, emissions regulations, and digital compliance systems. Otherwise, it risks becoming another talk shop’.

Dr Njoroge urged the interim chair to prioritise inclusivity and transparency in early decisions, ensuring that smaller or less-resourced countries are not marginalised. ‘Regulatory convergence should not become regulatory domination,’ she added.

Beyond institutional design, several issues now dominate the agenda. The first is capacity disparity. Many African regulators lack technical manpower, laboratory infrastructure, and stable funding. Without a plan for shared resources or training exchanges, the forum could reinforce existing inequalities. The second is the question of authority. AFRIPERF’s recommendations are currently advisory, not binding, which may limit their impact unless member states voluntarily adopt harmonised frameworks.

Another pressing challenge is financing. Sustaining the forum will require predictable revenue – either through member dues, donor partnerships, or cost-sharing arrangements. Overreliance on external funding, especially from Western partners with decarbonisation agendas, could tilt priorities away from Africa’s own developmental needs.

There is also the matter of political independence. Regulators in several countries remain vulnerable to executive interference, particularly during licensing rounds and fiscal negotiations. Komolafe’s reputation for professionalism and non-partisanship at NUPRC will be critical in keeping AFRIPERF free from political capture.

The Road Ahead for Africa’s Energy Governance

Meanwhile, energy transition pressures loom large. Global investment in fossil fuels is tightening amid climate-related restrictions, yet Africa still relies on hydrocarbons for more than 70 per cent of government revenue in producing countries. AFRIPERF will need to navigate this paradox – promoting efficiency and environmental stewardship while defending the continent’s right to exploit its resources responsibly.

For Komolafe, the ultimate test will be turning vision into execution. The first set of deliverables expected from AFRIPERF include harmonised reporting templates for production data, a regional petroleum data repository, and shared capacity-building programmes for regulatory staff. Progress on these fronts will determine whether the forum becomes a genuine platform for transformation or fades into the background of African bureaucracy.

In his remarks at the Accra signing ceremony, Komolafe was clear about his priorities. ‘This is not just about creating another institution,’ he said. ‘It is about aligning Africa’s regulatory systems with the demands of a new global energy order – one that rewards transparency, innovation, and sustainability.’ He pledged that under his leadership, the forum would set measurable goals and enforce accountability through peer review.

Nigeria’s oil reforms have already strengthened its domestic regulatory identity. If Komolafe can translate that momentum into continental cooperation, AFRIPERF could become a defining institution for Africa’s late-oil era – a forum that speaks with one voice in global energy diplomacy while setting common rules for its own internal market.

But ambition alone will not suffice. The forum’s success depends on political will across capitals, not just the competence of its chairman. Africa has seen many grand alliances fade for lack of sustained follow-through. As one senior industry observer put it, ‘Komolafe’s leadership gives AFRIPERF credibility; now it must earn legitimacy.’

The months ahead will reveal whether Nigeria’s stewardship can turn this continental experiment into a lasting framework for energy governance. For now, the mood within the sector is one of cautious optimism – and a growing sense that, at least this time, Africa’s regulators might finally be speaking the same language.

Dan is an oil and gas expert writing from Port Harcourt.

It would seem that Nigeria is afflicted by paper tiger syndrome in which potential public office holders desire to pack as much punch on their qualifications, without the requisite veracity to those claims.

The last three administrations in the country have been tainted by significant certificate forgery scandals that have caused the removal or resignation of senior public officials in a storm of allegations and counter-allegations.

This week, another Nigerian minister has been outed as a paper tiger, with a CV backed by degrees and certificates that are allegedly falsified, and continuing a tradition that has dogged the Fourth Republic since 1999 but, in reality, goes back to the First Republic.

Since the media broke the news accusing Mr. Geoffrey Uche Nnaji of forging his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates, a storm of allegations and counter-allegations has followed, darkening the political landscape with a distraction that the country did not need. Lots of finger-pointing and buck-shifting have occurred. In the end, after unwittingly admitting that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, never issued him a certificate in a court document, Mr. Nnaji chomped on humble pie and resigned.

It was rather disappointing to see that the president, Bola Tinubu, in accepting his resignation, ‘thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.’

Personal relationships aside, Mr. Nnaji had somehow tainted this administration, which seems to be offering him the sort of soft landing former finance minister Kemi Adeosun got when she was also forced to resign from the previous administration’s cabinet.

Adeosun resigned in 2018 from the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari after a Premium Times investigation revealed that her NYSC exemption certificate that allowed her to be appointed to the office was forged. Perhaps even more disappointing for Adeosun was that the forgery was completely needless, as a Federal

High Court ruled in 2021 that having graduated at age 22 as a British citizen, she was not required to participate in the NYSC, thereby legally clearing her to serve as minister.

Unaware of this at the time, she took a falsified document and occupied public office with the help of that document. These are strikes against both the Tinubu and Buhari administrations.

Many years earlier, there was Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, who was appointed the president of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) until she was ushered out in a cloud of scandals.

Okereke-Onyuike claimed to have obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) as well as a Doctor of Administration in Finance and Securities Market from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. However, there is no university record confirming that she attended the programme or was awarded these degrees. Still, she fashioned herself a ‘professor of Capital Markets’ at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and wormed her way into prominent positions.

A similar thing happened very early on in the Fourth Republic when it was discovered that the very first Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, had falsified both his age and his qualifications, indicating that he had graduated from the University of Toronto in Canada, on the basis of which he was elected into the National Assembly. He was only a year short of eligibility to run for parliament but slathered on another six. It was a misadventure that ended in disaster, as he was forced to resign and prosecuted for his crimes.

His case set a precedent for public accountability regarding politicians’ credentials in the country. It remains a reference point for subsequent forgery scandals and efforts to enforce verifications. But not in a good way. Buhari was given a slap on the wrist for his crime and a laughable option of a fine, which his supporters laughed off and slapped on the court desks as the verdict was delivered. He was subsequently pardoned by President Obasanjo.

Since then, it seemed like certificate forgery at the highest level has been excused, unleashing these invasive species of paper forgers into public offices. It could cost one a plum position if outed by the pesky media, not the DSS, which somehow keeps dropping the ball on this, but it won’t cost one any significant jail term.

This is the reason why Mr. Nnaji is blaming the incident on ‘political opponents’ who have targeted him for ‘blackmail,’ as contained in the presidency statement, as if making excuses for him.

Of course, it is convenient for the presidency that this problem goes away as quickly as possible. No one really wants it. Certainly not the president, who has been battling allegations of certificate falsifications himself for years. Having a cabinet member who is challenged in this manner will suddenly refocus attention on the president’s case, which his opponents have been harping on for long.

This over-reliance on certificates drives some ambitious people to pursue the papers, falsifying them if needed, without the requisite knowledge, which has cost us a lot. Often, we have found ourselves unhealthily preoccupied with the veracity of the qualifications of public office seekers in the country rather than how they can tackle our country’s challenges. From Buhari to Atiku to Tinubu, and even Jonathan, we have been spending an insane amount of time trying to verify documents and qualifications that shouldn’t take too long to verify.

It has also had other forms of repercussions. So while someone like Salisu Buhari, for instance, was adjudged by his colleagues to have been a promising leader of the House of Representatives in 1999, and Nnaji, who in his capacity as Minister of Science and Innovation is credited with launching the National Cleantech Innovation Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE), initiating the ‘Tech Advantage Nigeria’ programme to empower Nigerian youth with digital skills, apprenticeship opportunities, and entrepreneurship support across the federation, and facilitating the establishment of a Solar PV Module Assembly Plant in Enugu State to boost local solar energy technology manufacturing, the greatest matter he will be remembered for is his alleged falsification of documents.

Sadly, this tradition has a long history. From way back, Nigerian public officials have been presenting documents and qualifications that have raised suspicions. There have been early indications of some of these scandals that were blatantly ignored, like Nnamdi Azikiwe’s decision to ignore the damning forgery allegations and fraud claims against Nwafor Orizu to give him the political platform that made him the Senate president in the First Republic.

To curb the culture of our invasive species of paper tigers, Nigeria must use Nnaji’s case to set a marker by conducting a thorough investigation to gather evidence proving whether the documents in question were forged and whether there was intent to defraud. If sufficient evidence exists, formal criminal charges should be filed, as forgery is a criminal offence punishable under the law.

Already, Nnaji, like others, has suffered reputational damage. However, that is not enough if convicted. Sanctions stipulated by the laws, including fines and imprisonment, must be brought to bear, as well as further repercussions that might include disqualification from public office, forfeiture of benefits, and potential civil suits if harm was caused.

There is no point in having strict laws against crimes like forgery and document falsification if the law is going to be unequally applied based on one’s proximity to power. The application of this law is meant to deter other certificate forgers waiting to claw their way up the system and encourage honest achievements by future leaders of the country. Now would be a good time to dissuade future paper tigers and forgers from obsessing over this paper tiger syndrome and actually working to obtain the requisite qualifications for real. It would be best for their futures and the future of the country.

Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State / Former Minister of Transportation, President WimAfrica, Mrs. Rollence McCoy and VME Emmanuel Evue Chairman Emalsson Ent. Ltd will headline the 2025 Almond Insurance Industry Awards in Lagos.

Organizers of the Annual Almond Insurance Industry Awards, Almond Productions Limited Unveiled some of the guest Presenters in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer Ms. Faith Kesiena Ughwode.

The Award night according to the statement is the biggest social event in the Nigerian Insurance Industry which brings together Insurance Stakeholders, Policymakers, Individual and Corporate Clients of Insurance Companies, Paramilitary Forces, Entertainers and the General Public in an atmosphere of fun and relaxation.

According to Ms. Ughwode, Guest Presenters were meticulously Chosen from Critical Sectors of the economy in a bid to broaden the horizon of Insurance operations for better understanding and appreciation as no economy can survive without the risk transfer mechanism which Insurance provides.

The Epoch making event which started in 2018 to reward Change Makers and Innovators in the Insurance eco-system is scheduled to hold on Friday November 7th at the Stable Event Center, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos by 4pm Red Carpet, 7pm Awards Starts.

The shortlisted categories this year are:

* Insurance CEO of the Year

* Insurance Woman of the Year (Insurer or Broker)

* Life Insurance Company of the Year.

* General Insurance Company of the Year

* Insurance Broker of the Year

* Insurance Broking Company of the Year

* Takaful Company of the Year

* Micro Insurance Company of the Year

* Most Valuable Insurance Customer of the Year

* Insurance Life Achievers Award (Insurer or Broker)

* Special Recognition Award 2025 (Within and Outside the Industry).

The Presidency has rejected the World Bank’s recent report estimating that 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, saying the figures do not reflect current realities under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the data quoted by the World Bank must be properly contextualised, noting that it is based on historical and modelled estimates rather than real-time assessments.

According to the statement, the World Bank’s estimate was derived from the global poverty benchmark of $2.15 per person per day, set in 2017 under the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) framework. Dare explained that the figure, when converted to today’s exchange rate, equals about ?100,000 per month-an amount that is above Nigeria’s new minimum wage of ?70,000.

‘The measure is an analytical construct, not a direct reflection of local income realities,’ he said. ‘The poverty assessment under the PPP methodology relies on outdated consumption data, with Nigeria’s last major household survey conducted in 2018/2019.’

He added that the estimate does not account for the informal and subsistence sectors that sustain millions of households across the country.

The Presidency maintained that the figure should be regarded as a global model estimate, not an empirical representation of conditions in 2025, and emphasised that the country’s poverty trajectory is now one of recovery and inclusive reform.

Dare listed a range of government programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving living standards, including:

Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT): Expanded to reach 15 million households nationwide, with over ?297 billion disbursed since 2023.

Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RH-WDEP): Covering all 8,809 electoral wards, providing micro-infrastructure and social services at the community level.

National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs): Strengthened initiatives such as N-Power, TraderMoni, MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, and the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.

Food Security Measures: Including distribution of subsidised grains and fertilisers, mechanisation initiatives, and the revival of strategic food reserves.

Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund (RHIF): Financing key energy, road, and housing projects to reduce living costs and boost job creation.

National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC): Expanding access to affordable credit for small businesses, women, and youth.

The Presidency said the government is addressing long-standing structural challenges such as overdependence on imports, productivity constraints, and regional disparities.

It noted that reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and fiscal redirection toward productive sectors are part of efforts to tackle the root causes of poverty and promote sustainable growth.

Dare said the World Bank itself has acknowledged that these reforms are contributing to macroeconomic stability and renewed growth momentum.

The statement added that the administration’s medium-term focus is to ensure that macroeconomic stability translates into tangible welfare gains for citizens through affordable food, quality jobs, and reliable infrastructure.

It said ongoing investments in agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and power reliability are expected to create employment and lower living costs.

According to the Presidency, Nigerians are expected to begin seeing improvements in food prices, income levels, and purchasing power as these programmes continue to take effect.

A Nigerian corrections officer serving with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Olukemi Ibikunle, has been named the recipient of the 2025 UN Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers.

The award, now in its third year, recognises the exceptional contributions of women in justice and corrections roles within UN peace operations.

According to the statement from the UN House in Abuja, Ibikunle, who serves as the MONUSCO Corrections Unit Engineer, has led transformative prison infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Her work focuses on aligning prison conditions with international standards and strengthening national institutions, especially in traditionally male-dominated technical roles.

‘Peace begins behind prison walls,’ Ibikunle has often said – a reflection of her belief that safety, dignity and rehabilitation within detention settings are critical to broader peacebuilding efforts.

Reacting to the announcement, she said, ‘More than an award, this moment represents visibility and recognition of the countless women and girls whose voices are often silenced and whose dreams are constrained by societal expectations.’

Ibikunle’s tenure with MONUSCO began in 2020, continuing through 2022, and she returned to the mission in 2023. Among her key achievements is the construction of an advanced security prison block in Kabare designed to house high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups.

She also developed a model prison blueprint for the country, intended to guide efforts in standardising prison design and improving overall detention conditions, the statement added.

In addition, she spearheaded the Biogas initiative at Uvira Prison, a sustainability-focused project that converts waste into clean energy. The initiative not only improved environmental conditions and prison hygiene but also offered vocational training to inmates, enhancing their prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Trailblazer Award was established in 2022 by the Justice and Corrections Service of the Office for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions under the Department of Peace Operations.

The name, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed (Dangaladiman Gwandu), is one I have long been accustomed to hearing within the family circles as a growing up kid in the then modest town of Birnin Kebbi of the early 1970s.

A direct descendant of the renowned Islamic reformist scholar and first Emir of Gwandu, Sheikh Abdullahi Bin Fodio, and scion of the Ubandoman Gwandu and Magajin Rafin Gwandu families of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Dr Bello Mohammed is an accomplished individual by any definition of the term. Back then as children, however, we used to refer to him D’an Baba, which I later got to realise was on account of his being named after his maternal grandfather and respected uncle of mine, the late Magajin Rafin Gwandu, Muhammadu Bello, of blessed memory.

Magajin Rafi Bello was an elder brother of my late father, Alhaji Usman Malami Bunza, who would go on to inherit and hold the same title for 30 years following the passing of the former in 1973. He was also a childhood friend of my maternal grandfather and namesake, Magatakardan Gwandu, Mallam Abdullahi Kakale, dating back to the period they both attended the Birnin Kebbi Elementary School in the early 1900s.

Mallam Abdullahi Kakale would subsequently assume the title of Magatakarda, following the appointment of his bosom friend as the Magajin Rafi on March 26, 1940. Ubandoma Sa’ad Haliru Abdu, Dangaladima Bello Haliru’s paternal grandfather was also a longstanding friend of both Magajin Rafi Bello and Magatakarda Kakale, resulting in several intermarriages amongst the three families. I have always held Dr Bello, as he came to be addressed following his graduation with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1973, in reverence and awe anytime I got the chance to set eyes on him as a kid. He has always been a mentor to me from my childhood, even though he may not have been aware of it; so much so that I subconsciously modelled after him, down to adopting his style of dressing. Such that even the way I wear my cap today was copied directly from him, with the only difference being that while he pushes down the top of his own cap on the left side, I push mine down on the right, so it wouldn’t be so obvious that I copied him.

I was also influenced to apply for the same course he studied after my IJMB at the then School of Basic Studies, ABU, Zaria. Although I managed to secure admission at the same University, my name somehow miraculously disappeared from the faculty list upon resumption, after I had earlier confirmed that I was listed among the newly admitted students. Such was the level of influence he has always had on me, and I am happy to seize the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, to finally make this open confession.

Dr Bello would later go on to marry my beloved elder sister, Hajiya Aisha, back when I was still in primary school. That further increased our level of interaction when I regularly visited them during my traditional exeat days on Fridays and Sundays, as a boarding student at the then Government College Sokoto in the early 1980s; the same secondary school he attended several years previously.

I have countless childhood memories of my interactions with him during that period and can vividly recall one funny incident he may probably have long forgotten. It happened during one of those exeats visits to their home on Anka Road, Sokoto, as a 12- to 13-year-old junior student in my early years. I was so tired on a particular Sunday afternoon that I fell asleep in one of the rooms immediately after lunch, only to be discovered by the maid around 9pm, long after I should have returned to school at 6pm. On recognising how late it was, I broke down crying, knowing the fate that awaited me in the hands of my seniors back at school.

Dr Bello requested that I should proceed to have my dinner as he watched the day’s NTA Network News broadcast, following which he would drop me off at school. When it dawned on him that I wouldn’t stop crying, he promptly cut short his daily NTA News viewing routine and drove me straight to school. Along the way, he sought to understand why I was still crying, and amidst intermittent sobs, I explained how our seniors typically punished us for any such, or even far lesser infractions on our part.

He offered to personally hand me over to our House Captain to explain why I was late, but I pleaded that he dropped off me at a safe distance, instead, from where I would then sneak into the hostel unnoticed. At one point, Dr Bello then proposed meeting the School Principal to report on how junior students were being maltreated in that manner. That idea elicited even more sobs and pleas from me, knowing full well that it would fetch me even more punishment, as the seniors did not take such reports and the resulting reprimand they elicit lightly. They would likely target you once they noticed that you had people of influence that could intervene on your behalf. In the end, he reluctantly dropped me off some distance away from the hostel as I had pleaded and left.

Dangalidama has no airs about him and would freely discuss with you despite your obvious age difference. I particularly enjoy my personal interactions with him, which always leave me better informed about the issues, regardless of the nature of the topic we may be discussing. At close quarters, it is also surprising to discover that he likes to joke a lot despite any previous assumptions to the contrary.

Just over three and a half years ago, our already sufficiently close interactions became even more frequent when I visited his house daily over an extended period of well over three months, following an unfortunate sad incident that befell my brother at the time. We hurriedly converted his house into an emergency Command and Control Centre of sorts where we gathered daily, and I have nothing but abiding respect and appreciation for the way he expertly handled and calmed that delicate situation.

A onetime Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Students Union Government President (1970 – 1971); former lecturer at ABU; two-time Commissioner (Agriculture and Education) in the old Sokoto State; Deputy General Manager, National Livestock Production Company, Kaduna; General Manager, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA); former Director and later Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (1988 – 1993); member, Board of Directors of the now defunct NAL Merchant Bank (1999 – 2001); Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission; Chairman, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (2005); Federal Government delegate at the 2005 National Political Reform Conference (2005); National Vice – Chairman (North West), of the People’s Democratic Party (2004 – 2008); Deputy National Chairman, PDP (2008 – 2011) and PDP National Chairman (2011); Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation; Minister of Communications and Minister of Defence during the Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations, respectively, amongst many others, Dangaladima, or Sabbene, as we fondly call him, has been there, done that and seen it all.

I would like to use the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday, October 9, 2025 to express my profound gratitude to the Almighty Allah SWT for the gift of his eventful and impactful life. I beseech Allah to grant him good health and many more years of positive contribution and impact to his immediate and extended family, our state, and the nation at large.

Happy birthday and many more happy returns, Sabbene!

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved closer to achieving a two-thirds majority in the Senate as its membership rose to 72 following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP) and the swearing-in of Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central).

Senator Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East, formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC on Wednesday. His defection letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

Also, Senator Joseph Ikpea was sworn in as senator for Edo Central after winning the recent by-election held to fill the seat vacated by Senator Monday Okpebholo, who became governor of Edo State in 2024.

Similarly, Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was sworn in to represent Anambra South. He replaces Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in 2024. With the Senate comprising 109 members, two-thirds mathematically equals 72.66. However, legislative practice dictates rounding up to 73 because constitutional provisions requiring ‘not less than two-thirds’ must meet the next whole number. This interpretation aligns with Sections 143 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which set the same voting threshold for presidential and gubernatorial impeachments.

The APC’s new strength of 72 senators now puts it a single seat away from that constitutional majority. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 28 senators, the Labour Party 4, APGA 2, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 1.

Analysts warn of democratic imbalance as Akpabio mocks opposition

Meanwhile, analysts have warned that if the APC secures a two-thirds majority, it could pass executive bills and requests without opposition support, undermining the legislature’s independence.

Political scientist Professor Gbade Ojo described the development as ‘deeply concerning,’ saying it could lead to ‘a subtle dictatorship.’

‘When a ruling party controls the parliament to the extent of holding a two-thirds majority, it erodes the principle of checks and balances,’ he said. ‘The National Assembly risks becoming a rubber stamp for the executive, compromising its oversight role.’

He also criticised the weakness of opposition parties, saying internal disunity and ideological vacuum had worsened their decline. ‘The opposition has failed to put its house in order. Everyone is fighting for survival, not principles,’ he added.

Moments after Chukwu’s defection letter was read, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) hailed the move, saying more lawmakers were joining the APC ‘because the APC-led government is working.’

He argued that the Labour Party’s internal disarray forced Chukwu’s defection, while Senate President Akpabio mocked opposition parties, describing them as ‘tattered’ and urging them to ‘put their houses in order.’

‘I want a vibrant opposition. But the opposition is tattered. Please, put your houses in order, ‘he said.

After mocking the opposition, Akpabio asked Senator Moro, the Minority Leader to speak. In his remarks, Moro said the remaining opposition senators would remain strong till 2027.

He said, it was sad that Senator Chukwu defected to the APC. Moro said despite claiming in his letter that he had consulted widely before his defection, he (Moro) was not consulted.

He said, ‘He (Senator Chukwu) came here on sympathy vote’ after his brother was killed before the 2023 election.

To Akpabio, Senator Moro said, ‘The house (APC) is becoming too full, it should worry you.’

In his letter to the Senate, Chukwu blamed his decision on ‘internal wrangling, leadership crisis, and lack of focus’ within the Labour Party.

‘Recent developments within the Labour Party, including lack of cohesion and direction, have made it increasingly difficult for me to effectively discharge my duties,’ he said.

Chukwu added that the APC, under President Bola Tinubu, offered ‘a more stable, progressive, and inclusive platform’ for achieving national unity and good governance.