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A total of 58 start-ups in Nigeria and other parts of Africa raised over $140million last month ramping up the total cash raised this year to date to over $2.2 billion, new data released yesterday has shown.

According to Africa: The Big Deal, the latest update of the monthly start-up deals database gave quite a bit of work, as September saw a total of 58 companies raise $140 million on the continent (exc. exits). From an amount point of view, this is below average, yet equivalent to what had been raised in Sept 2024 ($146million), and above the Sept 2023 tally ($124million).

What is notable though, is the number of ventures who raised at least $100k last month, the second-best in a year (just behind July), the data noted.

Of the $140million raised, $105million (75per cent) were equity, and the rest mostly debt ($32million) and some grant funding ($3million, including 16 match-funding grants from DEG Impulse as part of their new develoPPP Ventures cohort in East Africa – see here and here). The five largest transactions of the month were all equity: Kredete (fintech, Nigeria) announced its $22million Series A; Pura Beverage closed their $15million Series B (not technically a start-up, though they’ve decided to go the VC route for their financing), Contractable (identity, South Africa) bagged $13.5million, Intella (AI, Egypt) closed a $12.5million Series A; and The Invigilator (education, South Africa) secured $11million.

There were also five exits announced in September, including three in South Africa where a consortium led by Twofold Capital acquired fintech TaxTim, edtech Rekindle acquired EpiTek, and fintech Street Wallet acquired Digitip. In North Africa, logistics start-up Cathedis was acquired by super app start-up Ora Technologies in Morocco, and healthtech Duaya acquired EXMGO in Egypt.

‘If we zoom back and look at quarterly numbers, start-ups in Africa have raised $785million in Q3, which is lower than Q2 ($963million) but significantly higher than Q1 ($461million). It is however a very strong Q3, comparing very favourably to the same quarter in 2024 ($649million), 2023 ($496million), but also 2022 ($612million). Start-ups in Africa have now raised $2.2b in 2025 to date (‘YTD’, exc. exits), which is only about $40million from the total raised in the whole of 2024,’ the report noted.

‘Woe betide a society whereby their dead leaders are better than their leaders that are alive’ . Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule CFR, the Late Dan Masanin Kano, and Former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations

For the record, I am from Northern Nigeria, a Muslim, and a patriot of Nigeria. I am currently not a member of any political party. However, I am worried that our narratives and posturing as northerners will not change our collective situation for good unless we tell ourselves the truth and take the necessary actions.

By the way, while I am talking about northern Nigeria, the people from other regions in Nigeria should also take my message as a mirror for their regions, so that they can also make progress. Because we all have similar tendencies.

The Crux of the Issues.

It is proper and very important for interest groups of northern Nigeria, like other regional, ethnic, and religious groups in Nigeria, to continue advocating for good governance and pushing for more equitable leadership and representation at the federal level, while keeping the fee of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to fire.

However, in my view, the issues bedeviling northern Nigeria and the actual solutions will depend on how we, the northern elites and establishment, view the issues, our sincerity of purpose, and the actions that we take to address them. The root causes of most of the challenges facing Northern Nigeria are more regional and local than federal. Therefore, we must refocus, expand our vision, and change our mindsets if there is to be any hope of redemption, growth, and development.

Living in denial and blaming trade will only complicate and exacerbate our situations. The combined ticking time bombs of tribalism, ethnic jingoism, religious extremism, religious bigotry, hypocrisy, poverty, jealousy and envy, greed, hatred, erosion of our core values, corruption, etc., are part of the multi-dimensional issues that we must address as our realities. Indeed, we must also accept that the issues are mostly self-inflicted, either deliberately or inadvertently.

Consequently, political grandstanding and gaslighting will not help us but only make our matters worse. The population growth rate of northern Nigeria, the preponderance of out-of-school children, rising unemployment, youth restiveness, rising social vices, insecurity, etc., in northern Nigeria reflect our dire situation, which calls for sincere and sober reflections. Without decisive actions to contain the ugly trends rather than blaming trade, we will be doomed.

Some questions for all of us who are Nigerians from the northern region are as follows:

Having produced the highest number of Presidents and Heads of State in Nigeria, and having been key stakeholders in the political evolution of this country, how many banks are owned by northern Nigerians? How many media houses are owned by northern Nigerians? How many manufacturing plants, or factories, are owned by northern Nigerians, apart from Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu, and a few others? How many industries or factories in Nigeria are operated or managed by northern Nigerians? How many of the former State Governors of northern Nigeria have even a ‘pure water’ factory where they have employed 10 people? How many of all former State governors of northern Nigeria, former and serving Senators, and Members of the House of Representatives are actually employing people or that actually have scholarship programs/systems whereby they are supporting children from their constituencies, with their own money, or the money they have taken from us? How many of us own or are managing (at top level) the insurance companies, and other private financial institutions, corporate organizations, apart from the Non-Executive Directorships that we are occasionally given, to give a semblance of national outlook for Companies that are owned majorly by southern Nigerians in which we have no real stake, etc.? These are the critical indicators that will tell us whether we are moving in the right direction or not. Today, most of the masses in northern Nigeria are ‘on their own’, with no help from the elites.

Most times, we, the elites, only speak out loudly when it comes to issues that directly affect us or our children, but not really for the common good. How did we allow our region to slide into the abyss of over 80 million out of over 133 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians? Are these issues entirely the fault of a President, i.e., President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari, or the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Why do we have to shout all the time about issues that we are also responsible for? For example, we have a situation whereby a former northern State governor, who was a governor maybe 15 years ago, has become a glorified personal assistant to a current state governor. This speaks volumes to how we are making progress as northern Nigerians, or as Nigeria in general, because, by the way, this is not just a northern Nigeria issue.

Certainly, if we are able to speak truths to ourselves, we may start moving in the right direction. Most of our leaders block their ears, close their eyes when they are in power, whether as Presidents, Vice Presidents, State Governors, Deputy Governors, Federal and State legislators, Judges, Chief Executives, Civil Servants, etc., but they shamelessly become ‘latter-day activists’ when they leave office, having failed to deliver good governance during their tenures. It is time that we, the people of Northern Nigeria, start calling out such leaders.

For the past 65 years in Nigeria, from independence to date, in every administration, northern Nigerians have been given the opportunity to lead or to serve. Whether the number is enough or not is not the issue. Recently, the late President Muhammadu Buhari was the President for eight years. How did our northern leaders, who were given the opportunities, perform? How did they change the fortunes of northern Nigeria within those eight years? Not long ago, during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, most of the top government officials who were found blameful or responsible for the diversion of the funds that were appropriated and disbursed for the procurement of weapons to fight terrorism were from Northern Nigeria. They were found to be in cahoots with misappropriating money that was meant to save/ protect their people, other Nigerians, and residents from being looted, kidnapped, raped, maimed, and killed daily in thousands. What This is the height of wickedness! Shame! What did the northern elders, elites, or citizens do, or what are they doing to stop these menaces and evil tendencies of self-service?

Currently, the two Ministers of Defense, two Ministers of Agriculture, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Minister of Information, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Transport, the National Security Adviser, etc., are from northern Nigeria. It does not matter what political party is in power at the federal level; we always have a significant share of power and the highest number of representatives in the power dynamics of Nigeria. Therefore, what should matter is how we perform and how we utilize the opportunities.

Self-Service OR Sincere Agitation?

For instance, months into the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there was agitation by the Northern elites that there was a plan by the administration to sack northerners from CBN, etc., when 70% of the children in the CBN are our children, i.e., children of the elites. What about the children of Shoe shiners or peasant farmers, etc? Are we addressing the issues of almost 70% of our public primary and secondary schools that are dilapidated, with our children that sit on bare floors, in open areas? How about the teeming Almajiris that we maltreat? Is that the responsibility of the federal government? We all know that the State governments are primarily responsible for primary and secondary schools’ education, and yet we have over 10 million children and youngsters out of school. How are we, the elites, also speaking truth to our state governors to ensure that they do the needful? So, these are the posers for us to address as Northern Nigerians.

Moreover, 70% of the leaders from North and indeed from Southern Nigeria came from humble backgrounds. But most of them forget where they come from, only when they need their votes. The fact is that about 60 or 50 years ago, they were given opportunities by leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, etc., and yet most of them have abandoned their people. Most of them were like the Almajiris of today, and yet they were given those opportunities to excel and become leaders in their Country. Now, all they think of is themselves and their children. Yet here we are blaming all our woes on any President who is in power.

Therefore, I urge our political, religious, traditional leaders, top leaders, intellectuals, and the entire elites to have a moment of introspection.

In the subsequent episode, I will continue expounding on the issues bedeviling northern Nigeria and how I think we should best address them.

The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) has facilitated over N70 billion in commercial financing for agribusinesses as of the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, marking its strongest annual performance since inception.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the organisation said it remains confident of achieving its N150 billion target for 2025, reflecting renewed momentum in agricultural lending and investor confidence in the sector.

According to NIRSAL, since it began operations in 2013, the latest result accounts for nearly a quarter of its cumulative N270 billion facilitated for agriculture and agribusiness to date. The institution said this milestone represents ‘an achievement that reflects the impact of NIRSAL’s revamped strategy under its new Board and Executive Management.’

The statement observed that this turnaround comes at a crucial time when bank lending to agriculture had been in steady decline. ‘Bank lending to agriculture fell from 6.18 per cent of aggregate lending in 2022 to 4.82 per cent in 2024, while sectoral growth slowed from 2.5 per cent to 1.7 per cent within the same period,’ it said.

NIRSAL noted that the application of its signature tools for value chain modelling, alongside targeted technical support and risk-sharing frameworks has helped restore lender confidence in agribusiness financing.

‘By applying its signature tools for value chain modelling to address identified issues, providing technical support to agribusinesses and financial institutions, all while deploying its risk-sharing frameworks, NIRSAL has restored lender confidence, thus channelling fresh funds into key value chains, including grains, cocoa, shea, and livestock,’ the statement added.

On impact, the institution said the financing surge has led to a tangible rise in local production and improved trade performance. ‘There has been an improvement in local production across key commodities and a positive balance of trade for agriculture, with over 32 per cent of the facilitated sum directly supporting value-added commodity export. Most notably, agriculture’s share of bank lending has risen again to 5.33 per cent as of May 2025, reflecting renewed interest from financiers,’ it stated.

NIRSAL also revealed that two newly licensed banks have entered the agricultural finance space relying on its frameworks, contributing to the N70 billion already facilitated this year.

Commenting on the milestone, NIRSAL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sa’ad Hamidu, said the result demonstrates the viability of sustainable agricultural financing. ‘N70 billion may appear modest compared to the size of Nigeria’s agricultural financing needs, but the significance is profound. It proves that agriculture can be commercially and sustainably financed. With the right blend of capital, technical support, and risk mitigation, the sector can become more productive, resilient, and globally competitive,’ Hamidu said.

He noted that the organisation’s confidence in achieving its N150 billion annual target remains strong, given that the busiest period for agricultural financing is yet to begin.

‘This is not yet the peak of the harvest season when merchants typically seek credit for offtake and storage, and when super agro-dealers stock up on fertilisers and inputs ahead of the next planting cycle. Therefore, the opportunities still to come give us every reason for optimism,’ he explained.

NIRSAL stated that beyond facilitating loans, it is reshaping the entire agricultural lending ecosystem through an integrated model that covers prospect identification, deal structuring, business advisory, and credit guarantees. The model, according to the organisation, ‘handholds agribusinesses from loan origination to disbursement,’enabling them to transition from unbankable enterprises to sustainable borrowers.

The statement noted that several agribusinesses that once relied on NIRSAL’s intervention have now evolved into regular clients of commercial banks, with lenders gaining deeper understanding of agricultural value chains and greater confidence in financing them. ‘This proves that the NIRSAL model is a pathway to long-term sustainability in the agriculture sector,’ it said.

The N70 billion facilitated so far, NIRSAL explained, is the result of extensive capacity-building efforts across financial institutions. The organisation trained over 1,100 bank staff to improve their understanding of agricultural financing within NIRSAL’s risk-sharing framework, which has contributed to an increase in loan approvals. It also trained 450 agricultural value chain participants on feedlot management, commodity export, and climate finance – interventions that are expected to yield long-term benefits for sectoral growth.

Looking ahead, NIRSAL said it is developing a digital platform known as the NIRSAL LandBank Portal, designed to connect stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem – from research and development to markets. The portal will provide data-driven insights to investors, policymakers, and development partners for identifying opportunities, reducing risk, and making informed decisions.

The organisation added that the LandBank portal would also serve as a project development hub, particularly in climate finance. It recently signed a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide off-grid power to production and processing clusters in rural areas – a move NIRSAL believes will build resilience in agricultural value chains and support Nigeria’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.

Since its establishment, NIRSAL has maintained its mandate of de-risking agricultural lending, promoting access to finance, and proving that agriculture is both bankable and sustainable. The 2025 performance, it said, signals ‘not just recovery, but a new era of confidence for Nigeria’s farmers, financiers, and the wider economy.’

The Nigerian non-interest capital market has grown remarkably, now valued at N1.6 trillion, with Sukuk dominating the sector’s expansion. This milestone reflects increasing investor confidence in ethical and non-interest financial products.

Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this in Abuja during a joint press briefing ahead of the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), organised in collaboration with The Metropolitan Law Firm and Metropolitan Skills Limited.

Dr. Agama said the overwhelming interest in recent Sukuk issuances reflects deep investor trust in the regulatory direction of the market. ‘The 700per cent oversubscription of the last issuance underscores the massive investor confidence we have built, thus demonstrating a robust and growing appetite for ethical and non-interest financial products,’ he said.

He added that the enactment of the new Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 has given the SEC a stronger and clearer legal foundation to expand the non-interest financial landscape. According to him, ‘With the new Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, we have a modernised regulatory framework that provides clarity and confidence, making the outcomes of this conference more actionable than ever before.’

Dr. Agama described the new law as a ‘game-changer,’ saying it provides ‘a robust, statutory framework for Sukuk and other Non-Interest financial instruments.’ He explained that the Act empowers the SEC to register Non-Interest Collective Investment Schemes, directly fulfilling the objectives of Nigeria’s Capital Market Masterplan to deepen market development and foster innovation.

Speaking on the forthcoming 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance, the SEC chief said the event will bring together regulators, senior financial executives, eminent scholars, and representatives from development finance institutions. ‘This convergence of expertise is by design,’ he noted, adding that the goal is to ‘foster high-level collaboration leading to the harmonisation of policies and the creation of innovative financial solutions that address the unique needs of our emerging economies.’

He said promoting financial inclusion will be central to all discussions at the conference, which will feature technical sessions exploring practical financing models and strategies.

‘We will have a major conversation on ‘Unlocking Capital for Africa’s Infrastructure,’ addressing how to fund the roads, power, and technology our economies need for growth and development. We will also explore the future of sustainable development in the session, ‘Green and Ethical Investments: The Future of Energy Finance,’ and connect finance to the real economy with a paper on ‘Agricultural Financing: From Farm to Table through Ethical Options,” he said.

Dr. Agama also revealed that the conference will spotlight technology-driven finance. ‘In recognition of the digital transformation of our world today, we will address ‘The Role of Fintech in Transforming Islamic Finance and Capital Markets,’ ensuring Africa remains at the forefront of financial innovation,’ he said.

In her remarks, Managing Partner of The Metropolitan Law Firm and Chairman of the AICIF 2025 Planning Committee, Ummahani Amin, said the collaboration with SEC reflects a unified vision to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.

‘This collaboration between SEC and The Metropolitan Law Firm and Metropolitan Skills Ltd. underscores our shared vision to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem, deepen investor confidence, and support innovation that aligns with integrity and shared prosperity,’ she said.

Amin added that this year’s conference comes at a defining moment for the continent. ‘Africa continues to explore innovative, ethical, and sustainable pathways to finance development. Islamic finance has proven to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the global financial system, and AICIF provides a unique platform to bring together policymakers, regulators, scholars, investors, and practitioners to shape that future here on the continent,’ she said.

The AICIF, now in its seventh edition, has become a key platform for advancing ethical finance in Africa, supporting regulatory development, and promoting sustainable investment practices across markets.

House of Representatives member, Raheem Olawuyi, has called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Kwara State to remain vigilant and cooperate with security operatives by providing timely and credible information in the face of spate of insecurity in the state.

Olawuyi is representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency.

The lawmaker said the fight against insecurity required collective responsibility.

‘Security is everyone’s business. We cannot afford to leave the safety of our communities solely to government agencies. Every citizen must be involved in safeguarding our environment and ensuring peace prevails,’ he said.

The lawmaker condemned the recent attack in Idofin Odo-Ashe, Oke-Ero Local Government, describing it as a cowardly act that seeks to disrupt the peace and stability of the community.

He expressed concern about the unfortunate incident and sympathised with the victims, their families and the entire community affected by the attack.

World soccer ruling body, FIFA, has injected over USD 1 billion into African football through its FIFA Forward Programme since it was started in 2016.

This much was revealed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino while speaking at the 47th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

He also spoke of football’s responsibility to give hope and dreams to the children of Africa as he addressed representatives of the continent’s 54 FIFA Member Associations (MAs).

CAF President Patrice Motsepe thanked FIFA for organising the FIFA Club World Cup 2025S where four African teams – Al Ahly FC, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Wydad AC – had the opportunity to play competitive matches against opponents from the rest of the world on a global stage.

Infantino added that players from 19 African nations had taken part in the FIFA Club World Cup, including nine which have never played at the FIFA World CupS – Burkina Faso, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda.

‘(It was a) huge success this summer with four African teams. But almost, I would say, more important, with African countries represented in the 32 clubs from all over the world,’ the FIFA President said.

FIFA embarked upon a new era of global football development when the FIFA Forward Programme was launched in 2016 to support the world football governing body’s 211 MAs and the confederations by funding infrastructure projects and competitions as well as operational costs.

The FIFA Forward investments in the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the African zonal/regional associations and the continent’s 54 MAs reached a total of USD 1.06 billion between the start of the programme in 2016 and the end of September 2025. From 2016 until the end of the current four-year cycle in 2026, the figures are estimated to reach USD 1.28 billion, including USD 1.08 billion for the 54 African MAs alone.

FIFA has also supported the development of African football by opening up more playing opportunities. An unprecedented nine, and possibly 10, African teams will play at the FIFA World Cup 26S, while 10 African teams will participate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025S and five will play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025S, to be hosted in Morocco.

Motsepe added: ‘It’s very important that we had the FIFA Club World Cup, Gianni (Infantino), thank you for the FIFA Club World Cup. And those four football clubs that represented us did very well and we’re confident that (in) the next one, they will do even better. And thanks for the huge sacrifices on your part.’

FIFA planned to open between 20 and 30 FIFA Academies by 2027 as part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), which aims to help all countries identify talented players and give them the coaching and facilities they need to shine, the FIFA President said. Meanwhile, the Football for Schools programme is now active in more than 40 African nations.

‘We would all love to become legends, like Samuel Eto’o, like (Emmanuel) Adebayor, or El Hadji Diouf, who are here, in the first row, Kalusha (Bwalya), all the others,’ Infantino added. ‘Not all of us have this talent and can make it, but all of us here in this room, we have the responsibility and the duty to work and to work hard, to give dreams, to give chances, and to give hope to all the children of Africa.’

He concluded: ‘I’m asking you all, as always, to be united, to continue to unite Africa, to continue to unite African football, because like this we will have a strong voice, all over the world, for a very, very bright future.’

The tragic death of 29-year-old Somtochukwu Maduagwu in the early hours of September 29 seemed to have dampened the joyous ambience that normally heralds the country’s independence anniversary on October 1. There has been national outrage across the country not because she wasn’t mortal but just due to the circumstances that led to her tragic death.

Reports from neighbours, and later by the police authorities, allege that Somtochukwu had jumped from her third floor apartment balcony in panic to flee from some marauding armed robbers that attacked their Katampe area building on the fateful day in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Her death has sparked national outrage because insecurity for many years has been of serious national concern. Many concerned Nigerians, including political leaders, past and present, have registered their condolences with her family, friends and her employer, The Arise Media Group.

While we appreciate such outpouring of grief and condolences, we believe that more attention must be paid to security, given that insecurity impacts everyone and governments at all levels are charged by the constitution to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens.

Many Nigerians daily lose their lives to the high insecurity in the country. There is food insecurity because many farming communities have been scared off by attacks from Boko Haram, bandits, murderous herders and other types of insurgents that are making life difficult for Nigerians.

The people seem helpless in the face of the impunity of the social misfits who attack people at every turn. All sectors of the economy are impacted by insecurity and the socio-economic life of the country takes a huge hit.

We are bothered that Nigerians continually live in fear as travelling, especially by road, has become dangerous due to attacks by armed bandits and kidnappers. In the case under reference, residents were in their houses which, by the way, were supposed to be safe.

If the accounts of how a Somtochukwu died is anything to go by, she was desperate and her alleged attempt to jump down from her apartment was clear evidence of her lack of trust in the system. If she had trusted the system, she might have called a reliable Emergency number, believing the security agencies would have rushed to her help. Her alleged attempt to jump down was not a deliberate suicidal attempt; it was desperation in self-help.

It is disappointing that the police allegedly arrived minutes after the robbers left. Even after the incident, it took them a while to give an update, given that much of the information in the crime scene was by residents whose accounts might not be very credible due to trauma and fear.

It surprises Nigerians that the FCT does not have readily available CCTV footages to refer to in such cases. If these had been in place, a lot of assumptions and hear-says would have been eliminated and may be the robbers apprehended.

Security in the nation’s capital should be a priority. What this singular issue has done is sending wrong signals to the world about our sense of security.

We are not expecting perfection as no nation has a crime-free environment, but there must be maximum attempt to make cities and villages secure. There must be urgent investment in digital security equipment, including drones, which many Nigerian start-ups are producing and even exporting. The police must improve their attitude to emergency calls and learn how to swing into action to protect crime scenes to assist investigations. Security is a specialised field and agencies must act as professionals who ought to serve and protect lives. Seeming post-mortem analysis is an ill-wind that blows no one any good.

We appeal to the police to carry out thorough investigations into this incident to give justice to the dead and closure to the family. The government on its part must scale up security across the country.

ýThe Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has inaugurated a new electoral committee (SWANECO) tasked with organizing free and fair elections.

ýAt the extra-ordinary congress presided over by Aaron Akerejola, the Interim Chairman appointed by the National SWAN, members nominated and approved the appointment of Patrick Omorodion of Vanguard Newspaper as chairman of the electoral committee. He will be joined by Anulika Menanya of Voice of Nigeria, along with McAnthony Anaelechukwu, Soliu Adeyemo, and Michael Nnabuchi.

ýRising from the congress, the committee was mandated to conduct the upcoming elections strictly in line with the SWAN statute (as amended), to ensure fairness and transparency.

ýSpeaking during the congress, Akerejola thanked members for showing up on short notice, describing it as a positive sign in the collective effort to rescue the association from individuals who have used it for personal gain. He emphasized the need to reposition SWAN to better serve all members, in line with the vision of its founding fathers.

ý’It has been my vision for months to see all parties come together under one umbrella to chart the way forward,’ he said. ‘Our task here is simple. We are to assess the current situation and deliberate on a way forward, in line with the mandate of the National SWAN executive led by Benjamin Isaiah.’

ýThe congress did not hold back in its criticism of the suspended duo, Olatutu Oladunni, Lagos SWAN Chairman, and Bello Omotunde, Secretary, accusing them of deploying intimidation tactics.

ýThese include the use of non-state actors (thugs) and some identified members of the Department of State Security (DSS) who told members they were under strict instructions to stop the planned congress convened in line with the SWAN statutes to determine the association’s future with whatever means necessary.

ýIn a strongly worded resolution, the congress called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh; and the Area Commander of Area C Police Command to call their officers to order.

The congress urged them to focus on national security and critical internal issues, rather than allowing their personnel to be used as tools for intimidating law-abiding citizens.

ýMeanwhile, the list of newly inaugurated SWANECO members will be communicated to the National SWAN for final ratification, in accordance with statutory provisions. Upon ratification, the Omorodion-led SWANECO will release the final guidelines for the electoral process.

Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Jubril Yisa, has performed the groundbreaking for the construction of a Town Hall at Igbo-Elerin.

Jubril, represented by Vice Chairman, Ayodele Samuel, described the project as historic, stressing that it would serve as a symbol of unity, progress, and shared vision for the people of Iba LCDA.

He noted that the Town Hall had long been a dream of the community, which would now become a reality.

According to him, the facility will serve as a hub for civic engagement, cultural expression, youth empowerment, and developmental dialogue.

‘It will be more than just a building; it will be the beating heart of our Local Council Development Area,’ he said.

The council boss emphasized that development does not happen by chance but through intentional planning, collaboration, and commitment.

He lauded the contributions of traditional institutions, and community stakeholders, acknowledging their role in making the project possible.

Yisa also called on youths to see the project as a beacon of hope and an avenue to express their ideas, showcase talents, and shape their future.

He added that the Town Hall would also serve as a legacy for elders and a platform for intergenerational dialogue.

He said: ‘This is only the beginning. The responsibility of nurturing and protecting this dream rests on all of us. Together, let us ensure that this Town Hall becomes a space of peace, progress, and people-centered development.’

He expressed optimism that the project would be completed successfully and stand as a testimony of unity and determination in the community.

Anonymous: Good day, I have just seen this advert in an old newspaper of September 18, 2024 which advised any person with pension complaint to send message to a particular number. I hope it is not too late for me. My husband retired as a Deputy Director of Abia Education Services since 1997. He was receiving federal pension until several months ago. What can we do for him to get it resumed?

PTAD: Dear Ma, please inform your husband to forward his verification slip to [email protected] to enable us to deal. Thank you.

AHMED: Dear Omobola, my name is Ahmed. I retired from NIWA in 2007, my complaints are that I haven’t received any of the arrears paid to some of the pensioners ranging from the 24 per cent and the N32,000 arrears. I was told my name fell on the second bag since August, 2024. Kindly help me.

PTAD: Dear Mr. Ahmed, please send your verification slip to our email [email protected] to enable us to investigate and respond further. Thank you.

AMBROSE: Good day, my name is Ambrose. I am an ex NTA Minna staff and my complaint is on N32000 minimum wage arrears for DBS pensioners. We are yet to be paid till date. The monthly increment did not reflect from August 2024. My salary is N24000 instead of N33000. Therefore N9000 has been cut-off. Kindly help me for solution.

PTAD: Dear Mr. Ambrose, please send your verification slip to our email [email protected] to enable us to deal. Thank you.

OJO: Dear Omobola, I am Mr Ojo from Ado Ekiti. I thank you for the help you are rendering to pensioners. This is a reminder on the problem I have on my pension since the closure of Heritage Bank. It has not been solved since May 2024. I have not been paid one kobo since May 2024. You already have my particulars. I have sent my documents to PTAD twice but no response yet. I have changed to UBA Bank. I had an accident in August. Kindly help me.

PTAD: Dear Mr. Ojo we are not in receipt of your new bank statement from UBA as we discussed with you and your daughter on the phone. Thank you.

ANONYMOUS: Good day, I hope I am not late. I have just seen an advert in an old newspaper of September 18, 2024. It advised any person with pension complaint to notify this number. My husband retired as a Deputy Director of Education Services since 1997 and he has not been paid.

PTAD: Dear Ma, please inform your husband to forward his verification slip to [email protected] to enable us to deal. Thank you.