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The federal government has identified a set of conditions necessary to improve the performance of public assets, attract investment inflows, and generate stronger economic growth across key sectors.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made this known in Abuja during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit interactive session titled ‘Public Asset Management and the Rule of Law: Building a Framework for Long-Term Sustainable Investment.’

Represented by Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Akume said that the underperformance of public assets can be reversed through ‘strong policies that stimulate private capital inflows, good governance practices, asset management systems that limit value extraction, robust legal and regulatory frameworks devoid of fragmentation, and efficient institutional coherence.’

According to him, ‘These conditions will soar performance of public assets, stimulate investment inflows, and bring about high positive impact on the economy.’

Akume noted that Nigeria is abundantly endowed with public assets – including land, infrastructure, state-owned enterprises, and strategic institutions – which, if effectively managed, can become platforms for wealth creation and prosperity. ‘Yet, many of these assets remain underexplored and perform below their potentials,’ he said.

He explained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the economic potential of effective asset management and has taken decisive steps to strengthen the institutional framework for managing public assets.

‘The boldest manifestation is the strengthening of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), which signifies combined institutional, legal and regulatory reforms,’ Akume stated. ‘MOFI is responsible for managing and optimising the government’s portfolio of assets, including investments, estates, and rights to grow national wealth and prosperity.’

He added that by empowering MOFI, the government aims to build a central institution for public asset management capable of unlocking non-tax revenues, strengthening fiscal sustainability, and attracting private capital to close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap. ‘All these invariably translate into jobs, growth, and improved quality of life for citizens,’ he said.

The SGF described the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) dialogue as ‘critical’ to achieving this transformation, noting that it requires broad collaboration. ‘Government cannot achieve this transformation alone,’ he said. ‘The legislature, the judiciary, the private sector, civil society, and development partners all have roles to play.’

He added that forums such as the NESG Summit are vital for building consensus and generating practical solutions that translate policy discussions into measurable outcomes.

‘Forums like this therefore help to build consensus, align priorities, and generate practical solutions. Your outcomes should uniquely point towards bridging the gap between legislative reforms and economic development, ensuring that conversations such as would be held here are translated into actionable frameworks,’ Akume stated.

Also speaking at the session, Mr. Kyari Bukar, Chairman of the Ernest Shonekan Centre for Legislative Reform and Economic Development, said effective public asset management is a key driver of economic transformation.

‘Managing an asset literally means running it so that value is created or produced out of those assets,’ Bukar said. ‘The proper entities that are very good at doing those are the private sector. I’m not saying that the government should shirk all responsibility, but as the owner of these assets, it can attract investors to put the assets to productive use in a way that benefits both parties.’

Bukar explained that private participation in asset management offers mutual benefits, especially when properly structured. ‘If you are the landlord of a land or facility and you don’t have the wherewithal to invest in it, you can bring in an investor who will invest and share in the returns. Both sides benefit – because previously, you had an asset lying fallow,’ he said.

He further called for consolidation and proper record-keeping of all public assets, stressing the need for coordination among ministries, departments, and agencies. ‘We need to basically have all of those entities come in, collaborate, and have a common understanding. That way, we will then have a harmonised view of all the assets Nigeria owns,’ he said.

According to him, many public assets remain dormant or underutilised, and it is necessary to ‘sweat the assets’ – that is, generate value from them through different structuring models such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), long-term leases, or outright sale where necessary.

Citing the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) as a successful example of public-private collaboration, Bukar said, ‘NLNG is an entity where the federal government owns 49 percent and the private sector owns 51 percent. Because of the nature of its corporate governance, it’s been one of the most successful entities, paying the Nigerian government not only taxes but also huge dividends every year.’

He called for open collaboration among government agencies, private investors, and development partners to craft an effective national framework for public asset management. ‘When an investor puts money into a dormant asset, that asset becomes valuable, generating income for both sides. It’s a win-win situation,’ Bukar said. ‘Once an asset becomes productive, it pays taxes, creates jobs, and contributes to closing fiscal and financial gaps in the economy.’

The session, part of the broader 31st Nigerian Economic Summit deliberations, reinforced the growing consensus that strategic asset management and private sector participation are key to unlocking Nigeria’s wealth potential and sustaining long-term economic growth.

Former housemate of Big Brother Naija Season 10, Isabella Georgewill has reunited with her son, Jason, after weeks of separation.

The emotional reunion was captured on video, showcasing the deep bond between the mother and her 14-year-old son.

Throughout her time in the Big Brother house, Isabella frequently spoke about how much she missed her little boy.

As Isabella entered the room, her face lit up with joy upon seeing Jason.

‘The only reunion that truly matters’, she captioned the post.

She dropped everything, including a cup and a jar of plantain chips, to give her son a warm hug.

The tender moment showed Isabella gently fixing Jason’s hair and collar while whispering to him.

The video, shared on Instagram and X, garnered a lot of attention, with fans praising Isabella’s love and dedication to her son.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued an order restraining some factional leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) from proceeding with the group’ planned election.

The alleged factional leaders of the NYCN – Ademola Gbenga, Okechukwu Nnamene, Abel Abaji, Alex Allen Akin, and Hassan Mamman – were said to have planned the said election for October 7.

Justice J. E. Obanor issued the order on October 6 while ruling on a motion by the Incorporated Trustees of the NYCN and Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, representing the existing leadership of the group.

Justice Obanor restrained the defendants from conducting the election pending the determination of the substantive suit, marked: FCT/HC/CV/3803/2025

The judge ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce the court’s order.

Listed as defendants in the suit are Ademola Gbenga, Okechukwu Nnamene, Abel Abaji, and Comr. Alex Allen Akin, Hassan Mamman, the IGP, and the DSS.

The plaintiffs stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the NYCN, during its National Elective Convention held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from September 20 to 22, re-elected Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo as President alongside other executives.

Allegedly dissatisfied with the Sukubo-led leadership, Gbenga and others purportedly formed a parallel group and planned to conduct another election in Abuja on October 7.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday resumed plenary following the expiration of her six months suspension over misconduct.

However, contrary to reports, the Senate did not discuss her resumption during plenary.

It was observed that the Kogi Central Senator took the new seat allocated to her which she earlier rejected.

Akpoti-Uduaghan entered the Senate chamber around 12 noon, shortly after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio took over proceedings from Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who had begun the session at about 11:15 a.m.

Upon arrival, she proceeded straight to her designated seat in the minority aisle.

Dressed in white attire with matching head gear and covered with a white veil, and black sunglasses, Akpoti-Uduaghan was warmly received by several senators including Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Ogoshi Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa), Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), and Samaila Dahuwa (PDP, Bauchi North), who exchanged handshakes with her.

As of the time of filing this report, Akpoti-Uduaghan had not contributed to any the deliberations on the floor of the Senate chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office was officially unsealed on September 23 by the Sergeant-At-Arms. Thereafter, the Kogi Central lawmaker visited her office after which she granted a press interview.

However, because the Senate was still on recess, Akpoti-Uduaghan attended plenary for the first time after the expiration of her six months suspension

Highlife veteran and Zigima sound creator, Bright Chimezie, has reflected on the evolution of music production, highlighting the discipline and craftsmanship that defined his generation of musicians.

Speaking on The Honest Bunch Podcast, Chimezie said that unlike today’s artistes who depend heavily on producers and digital instruments, musicians of his era went into the studio fully prepared and confident in their craft.

‘Before we went to the studio, we already mastered the craft, we knew the music and exactly what we wanted to do. We were not depending so much on the producer,’ he said.

According to him, producers in the past had minimal work because artists came with their own rhythm, direction, and musical structure.

‘Back in the day, producers didn’t do too much work. If you were a good artist, you worked out the music within yourself. Most artists now come empty-handed-no direction, no rhythm. It gives the producer too much work, and that’s why most productions today sound alike,’ he added.

Chimezie emphasized that in his time, true artistry was measured by a musician’s ability to play an instrument and create original sounds.

‘If you have an instrument, you’ll be able to work out the song the way it plays inside you,’ he said, noting that sometimes they spent two to three hours balancing drums before recording.

Segilola Resources Operations Limited (SROL), Nigeria’s foremost gold mining company, reaffirmed its leadership in shaping conversations around mining, inclusion, and community wellbeing at the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce breakfast session, held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Themed ‘Unlocking Africa’s Hidden Wealth: Mining as a Catalyst for Bilateral Movement,’ the forum convened business executives, policymakers, and industry leaders from both nations to deepen trade and investment ties.

SROL’s Country Manager, Austin Menegbo, delivered the keynote address and participated in a high-level panel discussion. In his keynote, Menegbo paid tribute to the vision and resilience of Segun Lawson, CEO of Thor Explorations, whose leadership has established the company as a formidable force in Nigeria’s mining landscape.

During the panel session, Menegbo spotlighted SROL’s role in driving inclusive growth and advancing shared prosperity across Nigeria and South Africa. He stressed the company’s commitment to community wellbeing, stating, ‘When communities thrive, investors are protected. When investors are protected, capital flows. That is the essence of bilateral investment. Without the structures, institutions, and partnerships that sustain operations, growth becomes impossible.’

His insights highlighted SROL’s four-pillar agenda with its host communities, which includes gender inclusion and training initiatives, infrastructure development, capacity-building programs that create sustainable local expertise, as well as empowerment initiatives designed to ensure long-term community resilience.

Through these initiatives, SROL continues to demonstrate that responsible mining extends beyond resource extraction; it is about building thriving communities and creating the conditions for bilateral growth between Nigeria and South Africa.

Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has declared his ambition to contest the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, expressing confidence that the party’s chances of victory are ‘100 percent.’

Omisore made the declaration on Tuesday at the APC state secretariat along the Osogbo/Gbongan Road, Osogbo, where he urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers to vote for the party in 2026.

The former deputy governor also met with members of the APC state executive to formally announce his intention, assuring them that if given the party’s gubernatorial ticket, he would deliver victory for the APC in the upcoming election.

He said, ‘I am expecting Osun State people to vote for APC en masse come August 8, 2026. This is to show preparedness of the core APC members in the state, to show how ready we are to ensure that I become the party candidate by God’s grace in December, and to further strengthen the belief of the people in the coming APC government in Osun State.

‘APC chance in 2026 is 100 percent, these are volunteers from the nook and cranny of the state, this is just within the party and not the public this is an internal politics, preparing us for the forthcoming primaries in December.’

Omisore disclosed that he tagged his movement as ‘rescue mission’, noting that their presence at the declaration is a show of strength to rescue Osun State from the current Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) administration.

He said, ‘I am optimistic, you know if we go to the primaries today, I’ll win more than 90 percent, by God’s grace I shall emerge and deliver the APC government by next year August.’

‘People are expecting maturity governance, educational improvement, agricultural improvement, rural capital development, structural adjustment of the state, capital development, impartial policies, among others. Government is not a dancing matter, it’s a serious business and must be taken seriously by serious people.’

Also, Coordinator of Omisore Rescue Mission, Israel Famurewa, a former lawmaker, said, ‘The people here today are members of the APC from all the wards across the State. These are the people that asked Omisore to come out and vie for the ticket of the party. We are sure that with their support, Omisore will emerge as the party’s candidate.

‘Governance is a serious business and as a former deputy governor he is the most experienced among other good aspirants of the party to fly the ticket and deliver victory come next year.’

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged to complete all projects initiated by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, vowing to restore transparency and integrity in governance.

Governor Okpebholo expressed disappointment that some of the projects were publicly commissioned despite being incomplete, describing the act as a ‘disservice to the Edo people’ and an attempt to conceal inefficiency.

He made the remarks during an on-the-spot inspection of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and the Education Hub Complex at Iyaro, where he said he was shocked by the level of uncompleted work at both sites.

The governor assured that his administration is determined to complete all abandoned or half-finished projects for the benefit of citizens, adding that the Stella Obasanjo Hospital would be completed before Christmas.

‘A lot of work has been done, but much more is left. The administrative block and the theatre are still incomplete. However, between now and Christmas, we will ensure this hospital is activated and serving the Edo people.

‘I do not know why the previous administration commissioned this hospital when work was still ongoing.

‘It is wrong to mislead the people with such gestures. Our duty is to finish what was started and ensure that Edo people get full value for every naira spent.’

Edo Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who took the Governor around the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, said the hospital was barely 60 percent completed when it was commissioned.

Dr. Oshiomhole said, ‘We have gone round the facility with His Excellency, and it’s clear that the hospital is far from completion.

‘The Governor has, however, directed that all necessary work be accelerated to bring it to 100 percent completion as quickly as possible.’

At the Iyaro Education Hub, Governor Okpebholo expressed disappointment that the former administration commissioned the complex.

‘This building was hurriedly commissioned without power, equipment, or any operational capacity,’ Okpebholo lamented. ‘It is sad because there was really nothing to commission. Our focus now is to make this place fully functional, restore its purpose, and breathe life into the Ministry of Education.

‘My administration remains focused on accountability, transparency, and tangible results. The era of cosmetic governance and deceptive commissioning is over in Edo State.

‘We are not here to play politics with the lives of Edo people,’ he declared. ‘Our mission is to rebuild, restore, and ensure every project serves the people. The Edo people deserve honesty and visible progress, and that is exactly what this administration will deliver

Singer Omawumi has attributed a significant part of her career success to music producer Cobhams Asuquo, revealing how his impact soared her career.

In a recent interview on HipTV, Omawumi recalled their first meeting, where Cobhams offered her an opportunity to record a song, despite uncertainty about its potential impact.

‘Cobhams gave me one of my first opportunities outside Idol West Africa. The first time we met, he said, ‘Omawumi, this is Cobhams Asuquo, you know he likes to funkify his name. There is a song I want you to do. It might not come out as anything for now, but let’s just go with it,” she said.

Omawumi said she accepted the offer and became a brand ambassador for a product, lasting two years.

She said the collaboration also led to her opening for P-Square in four locations.

Omawumi also credited Cobhams with teaching her valuable lessons on delivery and posture.

‘I did the song, and then the agency picked it. I became the brand ambassador for that product for two years. I opened for PSquare in four locations. Cobhams taught me a lot of nuances when it comes to delivery and posture,’ she added.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Kampala Declaration (2026-2036) on Agriculture and Food Security.

This, he said, will enhance sustainable food production, drive agro-industrialisation, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost intra-African agricultural trade.

Kyari stated this during the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) with the theme ‘From Kampala to Abuja: Transforming Agrifood Systems in Nigeria,’ held in Abuja.

According to the Minister, the declaration’s implementation seeks to deepen agricultural investments, promote regional integration, foster inclusivity, advance research and development, encourage innovation, and strengthen governance structures across the sector.

‘The need to drive food system transformation cannot be overemphasized. We must move beyond business-as-usual approaches and embrace bold reforms that make our food systems more productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. This transformation is essential to ensure food security in the country,’ Kyari said.

He noted that the Federal Government has made significant progress through clear policy direction and collaboration with state governments in executing the Malabo Declaration, with the African Union’s Biennial Review showing notable improvement in Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem over the past decade.

Kyari revealed that the ministry has established an Agricultural Sector Working Group consisting of research institutions, private sector actors, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and civil society stakeholders.

He explained that the group serves as a governance mechanism to scale up best practices, monitor progress, identify gaps, and mobilise collective action toward achieving shared goals in the agricultural sector.

Highlighting key government initiatives, Kyari disclosed that the Federal Government has provided 2,000 tractors and related implements to enhance food production and has launched the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with more to follow.

He added that under the SAPZ project, the country has attracted $538.05 million in investments, leveraging private sector participation to establish industrial hubs and agricultural transformation centers. This initiative, he said, is expected to stimulate an additional $1 billion in investment by 2027.

The Minister also referenced the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), unveiled at the recent Africa Food System Summit in Dakar, which targets the reduction of annual post-harvest losses estimated at ?3.5 trillion.

‘The outcome of this investment drive will create a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable food system – improving farmers’ income, reducing waste, strengthening value chains, and advancing national food sovereignty,’ he stated.

Kyari emphasised that achieving the objectives of the Kampala Declaration requires strong synergy between federal and state governments, urging Commissioners of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Rural Development to align efforts for effective policy implementation.

‘Our challenges require not only innovative solutions but also coordinated action and unwavering commitment at every level of government,’ he added, assuring that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting state-level initiatives in alignment with CAADP and national priorities.

Delivering her goodwill message, Deputy Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, GIZ, and other partners for organizing the summit.

She said the Kampala Declaration offers Africa an opportunity to realign agricultural goals and address challenges such as low productivity, climate shocks, and gender inequality.

Dankabo presented findings from ActionAid’s Non-State Actors Biennial Review Value Addition Toolkit (NSAs VABKIT), which identified critical gaps affecting smallholder women farmers, including limited access to credit (below 23%), agricultural insurance (4.77%), and processing facilities (18%).

She urged increased investment in women-led agribusinesses, agricultural extension services, and post-harvest infrastructure.

Dankabo also announced the launch of ActionAid’s Pots and Pans Campaign’ on October 1, 2025, aimed at raising awareness about hunger and poverty among Nigeria’s 133 million citizens living in multidimensional poverty.

The campaign encourages peaceful protest against hunger by banging empty pots and pans in public spaces, using hashtags such as #MyHungerStory, #PotsAndPansAction, and #EndHungerNow.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi,said CAADP implementation has transformed Nigeria’s agricultural landscape by aligning national policies with continental priorities and driving measurable progress.

Also speaking, Dr. Karen Yansen, Head of German Cooperation, described the Kampala Declaration as an evidence-based framework designed to strengthen governance systems through integrated monitoring, inclusivity, and equity.