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At first, I was going to pay no attention, whatever, to his scurrilous write-up, seeing how uncannily his hectoring resembled that of his late stable-mate, the equally rude, Ilawe – born, one time minister of the Federal Republic, Dr Bode Olowoporoku.

I and Bode, who thought nothing of politically up – ending his Uncle, the Honourable Pa Akomolafe, who gave him ‘life’ when as a child, his mother allegedly became incapacitated to be a commissioner in the Pa Adekunle Ajasin government from which he was later sacked, were friends at the Great Ife (University of Ife, Ile – Ife) but I just couldn’t stand his ways, and whiles, as a chapter in my new book clearly shows.

He was simply too rough and he knew I detested his ways.

I am, therefore, not writing like this because he is not around to defend himself.

No human being will escape death. Mbanu, as Igbos would say.

I had read, and mentally threw into the dustbin, Dr Arowosege’s absolutely unmerited put down of Chief Oladeji Fasuan who, without a scintilla of doubt, is one of the few remaining titans of our Land of honour – Ekiti.

That though, was until I kept running into the Arowosoge verbiage severally, and then, my U- S based friend, Jide Oguntuase forwarded the same trash to me asking, since he knows my intimate closeness to Papa, whether I would let the idiotic diatribe go unreplied.

Each of Arowosoge’s line crawled with insult, his thoroughly abrasive language failing to show he went to school at all or have any respect for elders.

This last bit was, however, the part that did not surprise me at all because, if one is not careful, he could summarily conclude that such behaviour is Ilawe-sque. Fortunately not me, as I have terrific Ilawe sons and daughters who I have related with for ages and who are paragons of what Yorubas call Omoluabi.

Among these, please permit me to mention His Lordship, Bishop Femi Ajakaiye, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, who called, all the way from the UK, to greet and pray for me on my 80th birthday, the eminent duo, my ever worthy Aburos, and

Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Elder Dele Adesina and Femi Falana, each of who already, deservedly, have a signed hard copy of my forthcoming book well ahead of its official presentation. Also count among these worthy Ilawe’s,

eminence greese, my long- time friends, Professors Idowu Odeyemi and Bode Asubiojo, the respected Prince Adefolalu, the no less regarded Sina Awelewa, as well as my younger friends – Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Gbenga Araoye, Tokunbo Omolase, the gifted commentator on national affairs,

and my incredible Great Ife mates and friends, Kayode and Funke(Mr and Mrs) . The list is simply inexhaustive.

But juxtapose these decent human beings with the inflammable minority of Ilawe political rabble rousers, among them the late Olowoporoku and the instant irritant, Arowosoge.

I will be loathe to count Idowu Odeyemi(Senior) among them despite what you will soon be reading below). If one is not careful, you could quite easily, but wrongly, conclude that Ilawe – an otherwise large, and respectable town – breeds many of these moral outcasts – the types who would look a whole Chief Fasuan in the face and vomit the kind of inanities the ill- educated Arowosoge hauled on him.

As I used to say: ki la gbe, ki le ju? What are these Ilawe outcasts fighting over, that they won’t accord Papa Fasuan the slightest regard?

Before I welcome the reader to a precursor of the instant case, that is,. when Idowu Odeyemi(Senior) also of Ilawe, flaggelated, and poured no less venom on Chief Fasuan, I urge every true born citizen of Ilawe – Ekiti to please find, retrieve and read Arowosoge’s idiotic nonsense on Pa Fasuan. If the reader has more time at his disposal, he could go back 17 years to also read the Senior Odeyemi on the same subject as contained in my article of 23 September , 2007 in reply to him. You will not but wonder what these Ilawe self appointed emissaries are fighting over, noting in particular, that both are an absolute political minority in Ilawe.

Or could it be the rumoured neglect of Ilawe by consecutive Ekiti governments? If so, Ilawe should simply wake up, buckle up and emulate Ikere-Ekiti which, by dint of hard work, and the citizens’ untramelled love for their town, have turned Ikere- Ekiti to the fastest developing town in the whole of Ekiti state. Arowosoge and his ilk certainly do not represent the redoubtable Ilawe we know and respect. Welcome then to my article:’Standing History on The Head’, of 23 September, 2007, now captured on pages 59 – 61 of my 619 – page book:’SIMPLY A CITIZEN JOURNALIST (Amazon Link-https://a.co/d/dXnfY77).

It reads as follows while, in the meantime, awaiting Arowosoge’s promised hagiography: Chief Idowu Odeyemi is my friend of over two decades though details of that friendship

need not delay us here. He knows that I hold him in high regards. I was, therefore, completely taken aback by the amount of vitriol, if not banality, displayed in his riposte

to Chief Deji Fasuan’s piece on the creation of Ekiti which appeared in your flagship, The Nation on Sunday, September 2, 2007.

I am not unaware that given the melodramatic, even rancorous Ekiti politics, the paths of these two gentlemen may have crossed variously. Unfortunately, in Ekiti today, it is politics or nothing, which explains our condition. But even when that is conceded, I still could not find, in Chief

Fasuan’s article, the pillars on which Idowu sought to erect that level of venom, most of it personal insults unbecoming of a journalist of many years. To make his point, which he subsequently did not, Chief Odeyemi need not have resorted to such scurrility. It was tantamount, in my view, to the occasion when the Yoruba would say, Ki la gbe, ki loju? It is analogous too, to hauling a bag of cement at a petty thief who stole a biro pen. It will be intolerable if he were fighting his own case but totally reprehensible when it turns out he was no more than a surrogate fighter; crying more than the bereaved.

I personally believe that with his contributions to the success of the PDP in the April elections, he no longer needs to be anybody’s good boy to land a juicy federal appointment.

And by the way, what is the casus belli? Fasuan had written that Chief Afe Babalola was not allowed to speak for more than six and a half minutes before he was (rather rudely, in his words) stopped from further presentation at the Mbanefo Panel on States and Local Government Creation. From my reading of that portion of the offending article, which I have since read all over again, I could not see any denigration of Chief Babalola by the writer who had, rather than wear any air of indispensability in the struggle, as is being conjured by Odeyemi, went to great lengths in naming names, even of Obas, and all those who contributed in one way or the other to the eventual success of the project. It was, therefore, in very bad taste, when Odeyemi sought to flagellate, or indeed, ridicule the elders who had to sleep on the road on their way back from Abuja when their vehicle ran out of fuel. He should be humble enough to apologise. In all, his diatribe was unnecessary; the language needlessly acerbic just as the personal insults, which decency forbids me to repeat on this page, were totally undeserving of a man who gave his all to a peoples’ collective struggle.

It becomes more irritating when you discover that Chief Odeyemi had, in fact, stood history on the head in his reading the events leading to the creation of Ekiti State as his views are at variance with the overall impression of the generality of Ekiti people, many of who wrote to thank Chief Fasuan.

Here was a man whose perspicacity and total devotion to a cause provided the sterling leadership to crown the long-standing struggle of Ekiti people to a glorious end at a time when the much more politically (and economically) connected Ijebus, whose son was in fact number two in government at the material time, could not realize their equally well- deserved state. I will like to crave Chief Fasuan’s permission to quote, at some length, from his well-written book, ‘Creation of Ekiti – The Epic Struggle of a People’, especially some of the about thirty letters addressed to him by appreciative Ekitis, either individually or as groups.

Given the current level of revisionism, I thank God who laid it on Chief Fasuan’s heart to commit his experiences during that era into a book.

Writing on the 1st of October, 1996, the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Ijero kingdom wrote as follows: ‘Myself, all Obas and chiefs in Ijero kingdom and our entire sons and daughters, home and abroad, join all Ekiti in thanking Almighty God for the creation of our dream state. We are also pleased to congratulate you as the chairman and all members of the committee for the creation of Ekiti-State. We commend you for your hard work, resourcefulness and perseverance. It is our hope that all Ekitis will maintain and even strengthen the age-long unique homogeneity and peaceful co-existence. To God be the glory for this great thing He has done for us all. Once again, please accept our congratulations.’ Their Royal Highnesses, Oba J.O.

Awolola and Oba J.K Akinola representing the Ilejemeje Community wrote as follows on 9 October, 1996: ‘The entire Royal Highnesses and their people in the Ilejemeje community have considered it a deserved courtesy to send you this special congratulatory message on the occasion of the newly created Ekiti state. It needs be stressed that your un-weary efforts and enlivened spirit from the beginning of the agelong struggle up to the last moment of official declaration of Ekiti Ethnic groups as a state shall remain indelible in the ‘Blue Print’ books of Ekitiland, and not the least in the history of Nigeria. Your seriousness and great concern over divesting conditions

and total abandonment of any meaningful social, economic and cultural developments of our land were glaringly manifested in your total commitment to the issues in a most unlikely fashion which was a further proof of article of faith in the ability of Ekiti to metamorphose their own state into an egalitarian society. We pray God to further fortify you against future greater challenges of harnessing and developing Ekiti state’s natural endowments.

Finally, we join hundreds of thousands of Nigerians to rejoice with you on this epoch-making occasion of the birth of Ekiti state. Once again, please accept our joint congratulations.’

The Ekiti Parapo, Port Harcourt, on the 12th of October sent the following letter to Chief Fasuan: ‘The president and members of Ekiti Parapo, Port Harcourt, has directed me to send a congratulatory letter to you for the gallant fight you put up on the fight for the creation of Ekiti state. The Club is proud of your brilliant and effective efforts and pray that the Almighty God should compensate you.’ Chief Bade Gboyega wrote as follows: ‘Please kindly permit me to share my heartfelt joy and deep satisfaction with ‘your good self’, on the occasion of the creation of Ekiti state by 7.20 this morning. I also wish to sincerely congratulate you personally because God has thus crowned your great, tireless, commendable and historic efforts with huge success’.

Former Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Chief Akin Omoboriowo wrote: ‘I wish to congratulate you and your committee for working most selflessly, consistently and sincerely for the creation of Ekiti state in our life time.’

This writer did not allow the occasion pass without his miniscule appreciation for a job well done. On the 15th October, 1996, I wrote to Chief Fasuan as follows: I wish to put on record my sincere appreciation for your worthy contribution, in brains and sheer physical exertion, to seeing to a successful end, the long, arduous and sustained struggle for the creation of Ekiti state.

You have brought to bear on your Chairmanship of the steering committee, your now historical loyalty and devotion to cause, and your exemplary leadership qualities. While you cannot go to sleep yet, I feel positive that you can indeed, legitimately, count your blessings and thank God. Sir, now more than ever before, you will need to devote your time to nurturing, to a meaningful end i.e. the even-handed and overall development of the new state given the fact that successive governments made us a developmental backwater. I sincerely hope you will join hands with political likeminds to emerge in that pioneering team that will translate our yearnings and aspirations to fruition. In this you can count on my support and co-operation. Thank you and God bless.

Finally, I shall quote from the very long letter, call it an Epistle from my Lord Bishop, The Rt. Revd. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West who was then of Owo Diocese, as he sought to get Ekiti leaders to seek the face of God in matters appertaining to the state.

In short, he admonished them to hand over the state to God Almighty. Amongst other things, the Bishop wrote:

‘I am sure the Lord is happy about what you have done. I personally congratulate you for your good leadership and tenacity when many people were thinking that the creation would not be possible. I am sure that the creation is a credit to you in particular and the committee in general but it is a blessing. .finally, I hope you will organise an interdenominational thanksgiving service to place the new state in the hands of God, the builder of nations. If I know the time before hand, it may be possible for me and a host of us in the sacred ministry to be there.’

I doubt they ever did, given the rolling crisis that has engulfed the state, a state that should ordinarily be a beacon to others but for which total strangers continue to enthrone their cronies as rulers. I rest my casel

Where, I ask finally, is this outright interloper coming from?

The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders recently.

According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

‘The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,’ Oki said.

He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.

Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.

Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.

‘The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.

‘The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,’ Oki said.

However Some traders at Computer Village, Ikeja, have expressed deep skepticism over the Lagos State Government’s renewed push to relocate the market to Katangowa in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA.

The marketers want the government to clarify the terms and conditions of the entire process. Ahmed Ojikutu, the president of the Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria [CAPDAN], said the association had written to the state Government requesting for clarifications so as to avoid a case of changing terms and conditions in the middle of the relocation.

‘The leadership of the market is working towards ensuring that the impending relocation is done in unity which includes making sure that all interests are taken care of and accordingly.’.

In spite of the openness to the idea, he pointed out that the marketers would not move under any unguarded understanding of the terms and conditions surrounding the relocation.

‘Anything that would not allow the market to be together is a disadvantage to the growth and future of the market,’ he maintained.

CAPDAN, according to Ojikutu, is the regulatory body for all unions, bodies and associations in Computer Village with an aim to ensure that rules are followed and standards complied with.

Speaking anonymously, one trader told our correspondent that the latest effort had been met with widespread unhappiness and a lack of faith, as similar relocation proposals in the past have failed to produce clear outcomes or transparent processes.

The trader raised concerns over the government’s approach, particularly its failure to provide official documentation confirming the authority of traders over the designated Katangowa site.

According to him, the land was originally secured during the administration of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2005-2006.

He insisted that traders want direct allocation of the land so they can manage development themselves, rather than relying on contractors whose projects may be subject to political changes.

‘Relocation discussions have been going on for 15 to 19 years, right from Tinubu’s second regime,’ the trader said, adding that successive governments, including the current administration during its first tenure, have only repeated unfulfilled promises involving contractors.

Official claims that the new site will address congestion and fire safety, with facilities such as hospitals and access roads described as ‘political excuses.’

The trader noted that the Abule-Egba site, acquired nearly two decades ago, remains waterlogged and inaccessible.

He further alleged that a contractor previously engaged in the project is still in court with the government over a terminated contract and money collected from traders.

The trader emphasized that without transparent allocation and proper documentation, the proposed relocation risks becoming yet another cycle of empty promises.

Apart from CAPDAN, there is a new leadership of Iyaloja Abisola Azeez and Baba Oja, Adeniyi Olasoji that the traders are resisting.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has expressed optimism that the ongoing National Library of Nigeria project, when completed, will stand as a modern, fully digitized national pride-serving as a hub for knowledge development and a repository of the nation’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

The First Lady stated this in Doha during a facility tour of the Qatar National Library, which she described as a worthy model and inspiration for Nigeria’s vision of an inclusive, technology-driven knowledge institution.

Senator Tinubu observed that Nigeria, with its deep cultural diversity and robust heritage, must develop a system for proper documentation of its history for posterity.

‘Our youth must have a referral point to know more about the nation,’ she said, emphasising the need for libraries to function as custodians of identity and instruments of intellectual empowerment.

She commended the motto of the Qatar National Library-‘Free Access to Knowledge’-describing it as a guiding principle that aligns with the Renewed Hope vision of fostering education and knowledge equity in Nigeria.

Home to over two million physical books and about 500,000 e-books, the Qatar National Library, located in Education City, Doha, is globally recognized as a monument of cultural preservation and innovation.

The visit marks the First Lady’s first official engagement upon her arrival in Qatar.

According to her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the library tour served as a prelude to her forthcoming engagement with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

Senator Tinubu’s discussions with the Foundation are expected to explore partnerships aimed at addressing Nigeria’s education challenges, particularly the issues of out-of-school children and the Almajiri education system, through sustainable, community-based initiatives.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has stressed the need to have a Nigerian Constitution that work for all segments of the society.

Speaking at a retreat of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu who is Chairman of the committee said Nigerians want a Constitution that empowers local governments to deliver services, streamlines electoral justice, strengthens fiscal federalism, guarantees women’s full participation in governance, and enhances accountability at all levels.

He said: ‘The work we do here in Enugu over the next few days will define the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy for the next generation. Will we be remembered as the Assembly that empowered local governments, thereby bringing governance closer to the people? Will we be remembered as the Assembly that shattered the glass ceiling and guaranteed women’s full participation in public life? Will we be remembered as the Assembly that restored public confidence in our electoral system?

‘These are not rhetorical questions. They are moral and political imperatives that demand our immediate and decisive action. Therefore, as we commence our deliberations, I urge us all to be guided by three principles’.

He maintained that in discharging its responsibilities, the Committee must have a unity of purpose; legislative discipline and national interest as guiding principles, saying ‘We represent different constituencies, different parties, and different ideologies.

‘But on the issue of constitutional reform, we must speak with one voice. The amendments we propose must command broad, bipartisan support if they are to succeed. Let us focus on what unites us, not what divides us.

‘Every decision we make here must be guided by one question: What is best for Nigeria? Not what is best for our party, our region, or our personal ambitions, but what is best for the over 200 million Nigerians we were elected to serve.

‘The Constitution we are reviewing is the social contract that binds us together as a people. It is the promise we make to each other about the kind of country we want to build.

‘Let the work we do here in Enugu reflect our commitment to that promise. Let us leave Enugu with a clear, actionable roadmap for constitutional reform: one that empowers local governments, guarantees women’s representation, strengthens electoral integrity, and deepens our federal democracy.’

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, emphasised the need to have a diligent Judicial, police and other reforms that will attend to the needs of the Nigerian people for speedy justice delivery.

Represented by the Deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, the governor said if implemented, reforms intended in the proposed amendments and new bills in the ongoing exercise, will go along way in addressing the socio-political, security as well as economic challenges affecting the country.

He said, ‘When you want to complain that we’ve not had access to public and political appointments at the federal level, we begin to read out all sorts of data about fairer character. How people get disadvantaged, how certain ministries go to certain parts of the country and not fairly distributed.

‘But, have you also tried to interrogate, why is it that those of us who complain about federal character from the perspective of political appointment and access to political jobs, we don’t see them as you look at fairer character from the perspective of national budget?

‘Those of us who are politicians seek opportunities at the centre, we are not getting it. We begin to raise all hell about fairer character. But, we don’t do the real work of seeing how the national distribution of free infrastructure cuts across dialectical and enforcing policies.’

Gov. Mbah said the Committee also needs to do more in the areas of judicial and police reforms to address the various problems affecting the Judiciary and the Police as regards justice delivery and fighting crimes.

Stanbic IBTC Bank has taken a significant step in empowering stakeholders by hosting a strategic client forum focused on Nigeria’s economic trajectory.

The event, themed ‘Beyond the Numbers: Unpacking Nigeria’s Economic Trajectory – 2025 and Beyond,’ brought together key stakeholders to discuss the country’s economic future and the role of financial institutions in driving growth.

The global market forum featured expert presentations that highlighted the significance of macroeconomic analysis and market intelligence in navigating Nigeria’s economic landscape. Attendees were provided with insightful perspectives on current trends and future projections, enabling them to make informed, strategic decisions in a dynamic environment.

Eric Fajemisin, Executive Director, Corporate and Transaction Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, expressed the bank’s commitment to enabling clients and partners to make informed choices. ‘Our goal with this forum is to empower our clients and partners to navigate these times when economic conditions are continually evolving,’ he remarked.

Dare Otitoju, Head, Global Market Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Bank, highlighted the bank’s focus on evolving beyond traditional financing solutions. ‘Our role extends beyond traditional financing. We strive to be true partners that enable success for all our clients by equipping them with relevant tools that foster growth,’ he stated.

The forum provided a platform for attendees to engage directly with the bank’s team of economists and analysts, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encouraged the sharing of innovative ideas and strategies.

Feedback from attendees indicated that the event was a resounding success, with many remarking on the importance of informed decision-making in navigating economic challenges.

Stanbic IBTC Bank’s dedication to thought leadership and client empowerment is evident in this initiative. As Nigeria navigates significant reforms and global shifts, this forum has equipped participants with the clarity and context needed for effective decision-making.

Facilitators and technocrats at a meeting in Adamawa State have dissected Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) tool and how its practice can speed up a nation’s development.

The experts who defined Knowledge management (KM) as the strategic process an organization uses to record and share knowledge it gained from experience, said such documentation of ways in which certain problems are solved, would, if utilized in future, aid the tackling of similar problems by contemporary managers.

During an inception meeting of Knowledge Management, Stakeholder Engagement and Social Protection Landscape Mapping conducted in Yola as part of the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection, Participation and Economic Resilience in Northeast Nigeria (SEPIN-SUSI) Programme commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and co-funded by the European Union (EU), the resource persons and stakeholders who included representatives of MDAs and CSOs, highlighted instances of knowledge management gains with potentials to solve future problems.

Of particular interest, among the issues trashed during the meeting was how Nigerians typically reject advice to move from their low plain dwellings to higher grounds in face of likely flood.

Recollections were made of how people in different parts of the country had been advised on a temporary relocation, with suitable alternative dwellings on higher grounds, only for such residents to ignore such advice.

The submission on the subject was that if such experiences of humanitarian officers are passed down or shared along the principle of Knowledge Management and Learning, contemporary government or humanitarian officers would know better than to only ask residents of flood-prone areas to relocate without thinking up alternative proactive measures.

Three resource persons presented papers, including Drs Obinna Anah, Thankgod Okosun, and Iorwakwagh Apera.

Obinna Anah lamented that Nigerians generally are used to not sharing knowledge, elaborating, ‘In different sectors, we can make remarkable progress as a people if we will only cultivate the practice of passing down the knowledge we have so that those coming after us won’t have to be always reinventing the wheel.’

In a message to the meeting, the Head of Programme, SEPIN SUSI, Ana Vinambres, represented by Ezekiel Msugh, said SEPIN-SUSI is making all efforts to ensure that Social Protection in Adamawa State shifts from ad-hoc interventions to a structured, policy-driven approach that seeks to intergrate humanitarian and development efforts to create safety nets.

The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa has reiterated the administration’s commitment to job creation using the vehicle of arts.

She spoke in Lagos, at the weekend at the unveiling of the Ananse Centre, a 1,200-square-meter facility located at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate.

The centre’s wider goal is to enable more than 5,000 emerging fashion and design-focused creatives and create access to 50,000 jobs, with seventy percent of participants being young women.

The minister, who endorsed the centre after signing a five-year memorandum of understanding with Ananse to scale the model nationwide, said ‘The launch of the Ananse Center for Design Lagos aligns with our commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative economy. By investing in skills, facilities and global visibility for our designers, we are creating jobs, supporting women and youth, and ensuring Nigerian creativity is recognised on the world stage. Our collaboration with Ananse will help scale this model across the country and secure lasting impact for the sector.’

Speaking during the panel session, the minister noted that one of the biggest challenges confronting designers on e-commerce is unfulfilled orders, poor access to data, and the issue of how to sustain supply chains.

‘To scale that, creatives need to be empowered with supply chains that can scale, so they can get the material they need to fulfill their orders.’

While noting that the centre will help to bridge the noticeable gaps, she was however quick to advise the SMEs to utilise the opportunities such a hub offers to be able to fully harness their potentials.

Participants of the training program will benefit from 22 courses across five modules: Business Skills, Business Development, E-commerce, Marketing, and Product Development, delivered both physically at the Center’s fashion hub and virtually through interactive live sessions.

‘The Ananse Center for Design Lagos is more than a space, it is a catalyst for change. By combining training, infrastructure and global market access, we are giving thousands of young creatives, especially women, the chance to turn their talent into sustainable livelihoods. This launch marks an important step in building a future where African design thrives locally and globally,’ said Samuel Mensah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ananse.

‘Our partnership with Ananse and the unveiling of the Center for Design Lagos reflects the Mastercard Foundation’s strategic commitment to the creative sector as a catalyst for youth opportunity. By bringing together training, infrastructure, and access to markets, the Centre creates pathways for young people, especially young women, to thrive, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth,’ said Rosy Fynn, Country Director, Nigeria Program, Mastercard Foundation.

The new Centre will feature training rooms for mentorship and masterclasses, content studios to amplify brands, photography and Computer-Aided Design labs for product development, and specialised studios for leather, clothing, shoes, and bags.

A private showroom will provide space to showcase designs, while co-working spaces will foster collaboration and peer learning.

Though anchored in Lagos, the centre will welcome participants from across the continent and has made affordability and accessibility central to its model, ensuring that vulnerable groups, including displaced people, can participate and benefit.

Designers, artisans, and other creative entrepreneurs can access the Centre’s full range of services – from training programmes and mentorship to machinery rentals, product sampling, studio spaces, and business support. For more information and to register, visit ananse.com/fashionhub.

The project is further supported by international partners, including DHL, Ecobank and the African Union, ensuring that Nigerian design is connected to global audiences. Our strategic partners, Botho Emerging Markets Group, support the initiative with research, strategy, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, for Rome, Italy, to attend the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-Level Meeting, which will focus on addressing the worsening security crisis in West Africa.

The high-level meeting, scheduled to begin on October 14, will convene Heads of State and Government, senior intelligence and military officials from across Africa, and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.

According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, discussions will centre on the evolving security landscape in the region and strategies to counter terrorism and organised crime.

Launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Aqaba Process is a counter-terrorism initiative jointly co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian Government.

It provides a platform for global leaders to exchange intelligence insights and coordinate regional responses to emerging security threats.

The statement said , the 2025 edition will ‘recognise the complex security challenges confronting West Africa, including the expansion of terrorist networks, the growing crime-terror nexus, and the overlap between land-based terrorism in the Sahel and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.’

The meeting will also explore strategies to combat online radicalisation, disrupt digital propaganda networks, and strengthen intelligence-sharing among member nations.

Discussions will emphasise coordinated action to counter threats on both land and sea.

President Tinubu, who is expected to address the plenary sessions, will also hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to discuss collective approaches to strengthening subregional security and stability.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, among other senior officials.

The Chairman, Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi has assured that the Commission under his leadership would ensure that the legislative arm of government truly promotes democracy .

Adekunbi who gave the assurance during a study tour of the Commission to the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission in Lagos, said basically the tour was based on quest for innovations and also to draw from the wealth of knowledge and experience from the Commission to enhance better productivity in the legislative arm of Ogun State government.

Applauding the Acting Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, Ms.Habibat Omowunmi Ogbara, members of the Commission and the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa for the swift response towards the study tour, the erstwhile Speaker commended the collaboration that the two States enjoys.

On her part, the Acting Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, Ms. Habibat Omowunmi Ogbara, urged team Ogun to create synergy with its House of Assembly and the mainstream to achieve smooth operation in the legislative arm.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Taiwo Opaleye acknowledged that the Ogun Assembly Commission has the same work pattern with the Lagos Assembly Commission, stating that the Commission would work on some areas to improve quality of service delivery.

Lending her voice, the Commissioner III, Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Folakemi Akintayo appreciated the Lagos Commission’s team for the warm welcome and for exposing them to their wealth of knowledge, noting that Ogun Assembly Commission would not relent in giving its best to the legislative arm of government.

The Big Brother Naija house was alive with energy and excitement as Terra brought an unforgettable Task Night to viewers across the country.

In keeping with its promise to help Nigerians Unwrap Joy and Unleash Taste, Terra transformed the evening into a blend of wit, laughter, precision, and friendly rivalry with two standout challenges: the Beef Roast and Shoot To Win.

The atmosphere was set even before the games began. Housemates stepped out in Terra-branded outfits that seamlessly blended style, comfort, and movement to set the stage for an unforgettable evening. Divided into two groups, Team Unwrap Joy and Team Unleash Taste, they were ushered into the Terra Beef Roast Ring, which took center stage. But this was no physical battle. Instead, the housemates engaged in a contest of wit and humor, taking turns to pick cards with keywords and using them to roast their opponents in five rounds of lighthearted banter.

The result was a house filled with laughter, creativity, and camaraderie. Teammates cheered loudly from the sidelines, and for those watching at home, the Beef Roast quickly became a spectacle of joy. Social media erupted almost instantly, with clips of the witty exchanges making the rounds and fans praising the game for its originality and entertainment. One fan commented, ‘Very interesting game this evening, I am glued to my TV,’ while another added, ‘Terra, thank you for this game.’ It was clear that the Beef Roast delivered not just inside the house but across the country, capturing the brand’s ability to connect people through joy and shared experiences.

As the laughter from the Beef Roast settled, the housemates prepared for another task, Terra Shoot To Win. This challenge demanded more than humor; it required accuracy, focus, and strategy. Facing a giant food-themed board filled with ingredient images, each housemate had three shots to aim for the highest points. With each shot, the tension rose, and cheers filled the house as players carefully lined up their shots.

Every hit represented not just points for their team, but also symbolized the same precision and care needed to create perfect meals with Terra Cube. Just as in the kitchen, where balance and accuracy determine taste, the Shoot To Win challenge embodied the essence of choosing the right ingredients and making each move count. By the time the last shot landed, the excitement in the house had reached its peak, leaving both the housemates and fans across Nigeria buzzing with joy.

Reflecting on the evening, Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, said: ‘The essence of both the Beef Roast and Shoot To Win is their perfect alignment with our brand. Cooking with Terra is about wit, creativity, precision, and joy, and that’s exactly what the housemates brought to life. Whether roasting each other or aiming for the right ingredients, the message is clear: in every kitchen and every competition, Terra is the ingredient that makes the difference.’