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Sir: Former Interior Minister and National Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, recently stirred controversy when he suggested that political parties be allowed to nominate officials into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaking at a panel session on electoral innovation hosted by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in Abuja, Aregbesola argued that the current method of appointing the INEC Chairperson, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) is ‘deeply flawed.’

According to him, parties with at least five members in the National Assembly should be empowered to nominate individuals to lead INEC, claiming that such a model would ‘solve all the issues’ of bias and manipulation in Nigeria’s electoral system. In his words: ‘If the parties now betray themselves to allow one of them to run away with it, fine.’

There is no credible democracy in the world where political parties directly nominate election officials. The logic is simple: an election management body must be insulated from partisan influence to maintain neutrality, fairness, and credibility. Allowing political parties – the very contestants in elections – to nominate INEC officials would be akin to letting football teams select the referees to officiate their matches. It violates the principle of impartiality that underpins democratic elections.

If anything, Aregbesola’s statement reflects the frustration many Nigerians feel about INEC’s recent credibility challenges, particularly after the 2023 general elections. However, the answer lies not in politicizing the commission further but in strengthening its institutional independence.

What Nigeria needs is not partisan control of INEC, but transparent and accountable appointment processes. Civil society organisations, professional bodies, and judicial councils should play greater roles in screening and recommending nominees, while the National Assembly’s confirmation hearings must be made more open and rigorous. The president should no longer have unilateral power to appoint the INEC chair and commissioners without meaningful checks.

Furthermore, INEC’s funding and administrative autonomy must be constitutionally guaranteed and practically enforced. An electoral body that depends on political goodwill to function can never be fully independent.

Nigeria must not trade independence for convenience. The credibility of elections rests on the impartiality of those who conduct them – and that impartiality must never be up for negotiation.

The path forward is clear: reform INEC, yes, but do so through constitutional safeguards, institutional transparency, and public accountability – not through political capture disguised as innovation.

Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive if the lines between player and referee are blurred. Aregbesola’s proposal may ignite debate, but it should be firmly rejected as both impractical and dangerous to the survival of electoral integrity.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now law in the United States and it carries with it not just a set of policy prescriptions but a vision of how the country sees immigrants. Signed on July 4, it arrived wrapped in patriotic symbolism yet its consequences for immigrants, both documented and undocumented are far from celebratory. Laws often read like dry text on paper, but their effects live in the daily struggles of people who work, raise families, and navigate the uncertainty of being welcome yet unwelcome, present yet provisional, necessary yet suspect. The bill does not simply adjust technical details of immigration. It reorders the relationship between immigrants and the state, deciding who counts as part of ‘us’ and who must pay more, wait longer, or do without.

One of the most striking features of this law is its enormous increase in funding for enforcement and detention. Tens of billions of dollars have been channelled toward expanding detention centres, hiring more agents, and building layers of surveillance along the border and inside communities. Enforcement is no longer limited to crossing points. It is embedded in workplaces, schools, health care spaces, neighbourhoods. When detention capacity grows, so too does the appetite to use it. What this means for immigrants is not a more orderly system but a more intimidating one, a system where fear of being stopped or detained shadows ordinary life.

Alongside enforcement, the law places a heavy financial burden on immigrants who are trying to do things the ‘right way.’ Filing fees for asylum, for temporary protected status, for humanitarian parole, and even for renewing work permits have risen sharply. In some cases, these fees are now non-waivable, which means that poverty is no excuse. For families living modestly, the choice between paying hundreds of dollars in legal fees and buying food or paying rent is no choice at all. These costs are not inconveniences. They are barriers that determine whether someone stays documented or slides into precarity. A single missed renewal, a single unpaid fee, can unravel years of effort to remain lawful. The law is structured in such a way that the poorest immigrants bear the heaviest costs, not because they have done wrong but because they cannot pay enough.

The law also cuts deep into access to essential services. Many lawfully present immigrants who are not yet green card holders will see their eligibility for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, and food assistance vanish. For people who fled war or persecution, for survivors of trafficking, for refugees resettled with hope of safety, these changes are devastating. Health care and food are not luxuries. They are foundations of dignity and survival. When a law strips these away, it is not only shaping immigration policy, it is shaping human lives into cycles of hunger, untreated illness, and mounting debt. The cruelty lies not just in the denial of aid but in the indifference it signals: that suffering is permissible if your paperwork is incomplete, that survival is contingent on the timing of your status, that dignity has a price tag.

Proponents of the law argue that it restores fairness, prevents misuse of public benefits, and secures the border. They speak in the language of order, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. There is, undeniably, a need for systems to be transparent and accountable, for legal migration to be prioritised, for budgets to be managed. But the balance of this law tilts so heavily toward restriction that it transforms fairness into exclusion. To tighten procedures is one thing. To make access to safety and health contingent on wealth is another.

The human consequences are already clear. Families fear applying for benefits they might still qualify for, unsure of whether it will put them at risk. Parents skip renewing work permits because the fees are too high. Children lose access to health care, which leads to untreated asthma or missed vaccinations. Adults delay routine care until the emergency room is the only option. Food insecurity grows in immigrant communities where SNAP has been cut off. These outcomes carry costs not just for immigrants but for society at large. Hospitals absorb unpaid medical bills, schools struggle with children too hungry to learn, public health suffers when preventive care is out of reach. The idea that denying immigrants benefits saves money ignores the fact that the costs simply shift into other corners of society, often in more expensive and less humane forms.

The law also reshapes perceptions. By embedding immigrants in a framework of costs and enforcement, it reinforces the idea that immigrants are primarily burdens rather than contributors. It suggests that belonging must be purchased, that humanitarian protection is conditional, that compassion is secondary to fees and forms. Laws do not just regulate behaviour. They send signals about who we are and what we value. The One Big Beautiful Bill signals that immigrants are to be tolerated, not welcomed, and that their worth is measured by financial capacity rather than human dignity.

It is important to acknowledge the counterarguments. Without strong enforcement, the immigration system can falter under backlogs and abuse. Without fiscal discipline, government programs can indeed be strained. There have been instances of fraud, and any system must guard against that. But to construct a law that sweeps so many into hardship in the name of preventing a few from exploiting loopholes is disproportionate. A just system could enforce borders and prevent fraud while still offering affordable pathways, humane treatment, and safeguards for the vulnerable. The problem with this bill is not that it seeks order, but that it achieves it by embracing exclusion.

The chilling effect is profound. When immigrants fear interaction with the state because it may lead to detention, high costs, or loss of services, they withdraw. They avoid health clinics, schools, legal systems. They hide rather than engage. This invisibility does not produce stronger communities or a stronger nation. It produces underground economies, unreported crimes, and neighbours living in silence and fear. A democracy should not cultivate invisible populations. A democracy should seek to integrate and protect, to bring people into the fold of shared responsibility and shared belonging.

What should have been done instead? A balanced approach that maintains the rule of law while keeping humanitarian values intact. That could mean offering fee waivers for those who cannot pay, streamlining legal pathways, providing adequate legal assistance, and ensuring that children and families do not lose access to food and health care. It could mean increasing oversight of enforcement so that detention is not abused and surveillance does not cross into intimidation. It could mean recognizing that immigrant health is national health, that immigrant labour is national labour, that immigrant dignity strengthens rather than weakens the social fabric.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act now defines the landscape of immigration in the United States. For some, it may be manageable, for others devastating, but for all it represents a narrowing of possibility. It replaces welcome with suspicion, compassion with calculation, fairness with fees. The promise of America has always been tested by how it treats those who arrive seeking a chance. Each generation has faced its own wave of newcomers and its own fears of change. History shows that immigrants enrich, build, and strengthen the country. Policy should be crafted to reflect that truth, not obscure it.

This, in the end, is not only about immigrants. It is about who Americans decide to be. Laws are mirrors as much as they are commands. The One Big Beautiful Bill reflects a nation more interested in exclusion than inclusion, in control than community, in cost than care. But laws can change, and voices can rise. The struggle over immigration has never been only about borders. It has always been about identity.

Will the United States define itself as a fortress or a refuge, as a land of opportunity or a land of fear? The answer will be written not just in acts of Congress but in how neighbours treat each other, how communities organise, how citizens and immigrants together demand fairness. The One Big Beautiful Bill is now the law, but it does not have to be the last word.

Xiaomi has once again raised the bar for flagship smartphones with the official launch of the Xiaomi 15T, a device that blends world-class design, professional-grade photography, and cutting-edge performance. Positioned as the brand’s innovation powerhouse, the Xiaomi 15T is built for professionals, creators, and everyday users who demand the very best from their mobile devices.

The Xiaomi 15T is available in three elegant color options-Black, Gray, and Rose Gold-giving consumers a choice between sleek sophistication and modern flair. To simplify the experience, Xiaomi has introduced a single high-end variant: 12GB RAM + 512GB storage, ensuring users enjoy abundant performance capacity and storage space without compromise. Priced at ?715,800, the Xiaomi 15T represents a new benchmark for premium smartphones in Nigeria.

Photography Powered by Leica

One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 15T is its Leica Summilux Optical Lens. Xiaomi’s continued partnership with Leica has redefined smartphone photography, bringing professional imaging standards to users’ fingertips.

Whether it’s capturing a Lagos street scene in vibrant daylight, taking a portrait during a wedding ceremony, or shooting atmospheric photos in low light, the Leica optics provide unmatched clarity, color accuracy, and depth. For content creators, influencers, and photography enthusiasts, this camera system offers the tools to tell stories with stunning visuals.

At the heart of the Xiaomi 15T lies the MediaTek Dimensity 8400-Ultra processor. This advanced chipset delivers flagship-level performance that makes multitasking seamless and mobile gaming smoother than ever. Users can switch between demanding apps, stream high-quality video, and enjoy console-like graphics performance-all without lag or overheating.

This powerful processor also supports 5G connectivity, enabling faster downloads, smoother streaming, and stronger connections even in Nigeria’s busiest urban centers.

The Xiaomi 15T features a 6.83-inch 120Hz Eye-care Display, designed to deliver both beauty and comfort. The large display provides an immersive experience for watching movies, gaming, or scrolling through social media.

More importantly, Xiaomi’s eye-care technology ensures reduced eye strain during extended use-a critical feature in a market where smartphones are used heavily for work, study, and entertainment. The high refresh rate also ensures that every swipe, tap, and scroll feels smooth and responsive.

Battery life remains one of the most important considerations for Nigerian consumers, and the Xiaomi 15T rises to the challenge with a massive 5500mAh battery. Designed to power users through long workdays, extended study sessions, and heavy entertainment use, the battery makes the device a reliable daily driver.

When it’s time to recharge, 67W HyperCharge technology ensures that users spend less time plugged in and more time enjoying life. With just a short charge, the device is ready to go again-an especially useful feature in a country where electricity supply can be unpredictable.

The Xiaomi 15T runs on Xiaomi HyperOS, the company’s next-generation operating system. HyperOS is designed for speed, security, and fluidity, giving users a smarter and more intuitive mobile experience.

From intelligent app management to enhanced system efficiency, HyperOS ensures that the Xiaomi 15T feels fast, responsive, and reliable in every scenario. Combined with the hardware power of the device, this software ensures a flagship experience from day one.

Who Is the Xiaomi 15T For?

The Xiaomi 15T is crafted for users who want more than just a phone. It is ideal for:

Professionals who need performance, security, and reliability to power through their day.

Creators and Influencers who rely on top-notch cameras and fast processors to create and share content instantly.

Tech Enthusiasts who appreciate the combination of advanced hardware and software innovation.

Everyday Users who want a phone that is stylish, durable, and capable of handling anything they throw at it.

Xiaomi’s Commitment to Nigeria

The launch of the Xiaomi 15T is more than just a product release-it is a demonstration of Xiaomi’s commitment to delivering ‘innovation for everyone’ in the Nigerian market. By introducing a flagship that competes globally while addressing the needs of Nigerian consumers, Xiaomi continues to strengthen its presence in one of Africa’s most important smartphone markets.

Availability and Where to Buy?

The Xiaomi 15T is now available in Nigeria through all authorized Xiaomi stores, including Finet, Raya, 3C Hub, Slot, and more.

Xiaomi 15T (12GB + 512GB) – ?715,800

Prefer online shopping? Visit Jumia.com to purchase your favorite Xiaomi products with just a few clicks! Stay tuned for more exciting updates and promotions by following Xiaomi Nigeria on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Sir: It was assumed that the launch of Dangote’s $20-billion refinery would be a breath of fresh air – the long-awaited project to finally free Nigeria from decades of fuel import dependency and the grip of vested interests. Right? Wrong.

For decades, successive governments lavished billions on turnaround maintenance of our comatose refineries, yet not one could produce a drop of fuel for Nigerians. We became a crude oil producer that imported nearly all its refined products- a national disgrace sustained by those who profited from the dysfunction – ‘The owners of Nigeria’.

The Dangote Refinery was supposed to change that. But since its birth, it has faced chaos after chaos. Skirmishes with the NNPC, friction with international oil companies, pushback from petroleum marketers, tanker drivers, depot owners, and now, open confrontation with PENGASSAN. Behind every one of these confrontations lies a common denominator: the owners of Nigeria who have held this country by the jugular for decades. The owners who are furious that the removal of fuel subsidy took food off their greedy tables. The owners who would rather see the country burn than lose control of the taps that enrich them.

Yet, for ordinary Nigerians, the Dangote Refinery offered hope; a promise that gave us a relatively cheaper, more stable fuel and gas supply. But these ‘owners of Nigeria’ have refused. They have sworn that Nigerians must never get relief. It is over their dead bodies.

Check this: in the aviation sector, jet fuel reportedly accounts for nearly 40% of operational costs. Dangote reportedly offered to sell Jet A1 at N980 per litre, down from the N1,240 the cabal currently sells. That’s a 26% reduction, a direct saving that could have made air travel cheaper for millions. The response from the cabal? Rejection, reportedly. They would rather Nigerians continue to bleed.

Or take the case of LPG, i.e., cooking gas. Nigerians currently pay over N1,000 per kg. Dangote reportedly offered to sell at N800 per litre. Again, the ‘owners of Nigeria’ revolted, reportedly. They simply cannot stand the thought of affordability for the masses, not when it cuts into their illicit profits.

And now the queues are back. One kg of gas is now selling between N1500-N3000. Not because of subsidy delays or foreign exchange shortages, but because of deliberate sabotage. A manufactured scarcity by vested interests holding the country hostage under the guise of industrial action. PENGASSAN’s strike may be framed as a workers’ struggle, but its timing and context tell a deeper story, a story that reeks of orchestration. At some point, Nigerians must collectively say ‘Enough is enough’.

The federal government must act more when private interests cripple national progress. The Dangote Refinery is not just a private venture; it is a national asset, a strategic investment that could redefine our economic independence.

The government must make it clear that the refinery’s success is in the national interest. No individual or group should be allowed to weaponise supply chains against Nigerians.

Regulators, too, must rise to their responsibility. The FCCPC should investigate any evidence of collusion or cartel behaviour within the oil and gas distribution chain. It should be made clear that industrial action cannot become a weapon of economic sabotage. There must be accountability for actions that deliberately inflict hardship on millions of Nigerians.

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can either protect the few who profit from dysfunction or empower those who build solutions. The Dangote Refinery, with all its imperfections, represents the latter. To allow cabals to frustrate that progress is to choose national stagnation over renewal.

What is at stake here is not just fuel or gas; it is the soul of Nigeria’s economic independence. If we cannot protect progress when it comes, then we do not deserve it. It is time for the government, regulators, and citizens to draw a line.

Never again should the selfish interests of a few override the collective good of over 200 million Nigerians.

Nigeria’s Flamingos will slug it out with New Zealand and Paraguay in test games on October 10th and 14th barely two days after landing in Casablanca ahead of the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup I Morocco.

The Flamingos expectedly departed Abuja in the early hours of today aboard Royal Air Maroc, as they begin the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The team is scheduled to arrive in Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, Casablanca where they will settle into camp before heading to Rabat for the tournament proper.

The team will then move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, where all participating teams will be housed for the competition.

The Flamingos have been drawn in Group D, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before facing France three days later – both matches scheduled for 8 pm Nigerian time at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) and Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1) in the city of Sale.

Their final group stage encounter will be against Samoa on October 25, with kickoff set for 5 pm. at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) still in Sale.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side head into the tournament full of confidence, having played 10 tune-up matches, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any. Their dominant form in camp so far, coupled with a well-balanced squad, underscores their determination to go one step further than their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has resolved to reposition and rebuild the party ahead of 2027 general election.

It said it would no longer tolerate indiscipline, internal sabotage, or imposition of candidates, which, according to the party, led to its defeat in the 2023 polls.

A communiqué at the end of Oyo APC Leadership Summit held in Ibadan, attended by party elders, stakeholders and representatives from 33 local government areas of the state, said the summit reviewed the state of the party from 2022 to date and resolved to reposition the party for victory in the next election cycle.

The communiqué was signed by Alhaji Olayide Abass (state chairman), Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite (state secretary), Chief Akin Oke (former state chairman), Chief Iyiola Oladokun (chairman, Elders Advisory Council), Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Brimo Yusuff, Alhaji Adisa Gbayawu, and Chief Timothy Jolaoso.

It said: ‘We resolved to put in place every necessary strategy to win all elections, presidential, governorship, federal as well as state legislative. We condemn in strong terms, the terrible condition of the 33 local governments under the current PDP administration.’

The party lamented what it described as ‘gross indiscipline’ among some of its members and officeholders, which it said had weakened the party’s internal cohesion.

The communiqué added: ‘It is unfortunate that notable party leaders and even elected office holders are fond of engaging in acts capable of sabotaging the party. We, therefore, resolved that the state Executive Committee under the chairmanship of Alhaji Abass should constitute a Disciplinary Committee that will be saddled with the responsibility of punishing erring party members, who henceforth engage in acts of sabotaging the party in line with the constitution of the APC.’

On the issue of internal democracy, the summit identified the imposition of candidates as a key factor behind APC’s poor performance in 2023.

”We note that the imposition of candidates for elective and party positions was responsible for the failures of the party in the 2023 governorship and House of Assembly elections,’ the communiqué said.

‘Henceforth, the processes of electing party candidates and officers must be credible, transparent, free and fair. ”Activities of some aspirants who are seeking elective positions have been floating and nurturing groups, and this is further causing divisions within the party. We therefore resolved that party interests must take precedence over and above personal interests.

‘Aspirants are enjoined to concentrate efforts on promoting the party, instead of promoting group interests. We also note that some aspirants have been campaigning and making inflammatory comments capable of deepening divisions within the party. We therefore resolved that campaign activities are premature at the moment, most especially taking cognisance of the INEC guidelines.’

The communiqué equally expressed concern about the misuse of social media by some members to spread misinformation and internal disputes.

‘We note that there is a gross misuse of social media platforms by some party members and such misuse is further causing divisions within the party. We therefore resolved that the use of social media as a means of passing information concerning the party must be controlled.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged eligible citizens, particularly residents of Mushin local government to take full advantage of the ongoing continuous voters’ registration and transfer exercise.

At a sensitisation forum, an INEC official, Abiodun Oje, said that the initiative was designed to ease the process for citizens to register, transfer, or update their voter information with ease.

‘This exercise concerns every eligible citizen, particularly in Mushin Local Government. You don’t need to travel long distances. You can transfer your registration to where you reside, whether interstate, inter-local government, or even within the same community,’ he said.

He noted that the transfer process covers interstate, inter and intra-LGA movements, ensuring that voters are not disenfranchised due to relocation.

Abiodun also emphasised the pivotal role of community based associations and socio-political groups in sensitising residents on the importance of participating in the exercise.

‘As leaders and influencers in your various communities, be it in the markets, among artisans, or within socio-political groups, you occupy a strategic position in mobilising our people,’ he said.

What started as an informal gathering of colleagues, young artists and studio apprentices over two decades ago at Kunle Adeyemi Studio in Mushin, Lagos, has morphed into a movement of creatives. In like manner, the group consisting of over 40 artists of different generations is making its debut exhibition that is featuring 25 of them at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos from October 4 till 17.

Tagged Testament of legacy, time and space (A story of Kunle Adeyemi and his studio contacts), it features painting, water-colours, paintocast, paintographs, prints and mixed media by artists who drank from the pool of Dr. Kunle Adeyemi’s studio practice.

For Adeyemi, he has in a long time quietly nurtured the idea of keeping the studio contacts while praying for the right time for it to take shape. ‘Now that I am retired from public service, I believe the moment has come to devote some of my time to the professional growth and development of all those who have, at one time or another, passed through the Kunle Adeyemi Studio. ‘It has always been a God-given privilege to serve as your Studio Instructor-whether through SIWES, Industrial Attachment, Master’s or PhD research programmes, Apprenticeship, or any other form of training,’ he said at the preview session of the exhibition.

According to him, the objectives of establishing the practice-based exhibiting group include to rekindle in us the creative spark first ignited during our studio experience; become more visible in the contemporary art space; encourage one another in fulfilling our calling as practicing artists.

Reassuring members that the group is voluntary, he said nobody was compelled to join, but stressed the belief in unity was strength.

‘As a first step, I propose that we begin this year with a two-week art exhibition at the National Museum. We shall all be joint partners and beneficiaries of the project, working under principles of transparency and mutual respect. Let me also emphasise that no one in this group is above another. Though we may be at different stages of life and professional development, as artists we share the same pedestal of calling. This exhibition, if given the chance to breathe, will connect our humble beginnings with our present realities and future aspirations.

‘Let us view life as an opportunity to lift others. Each of us has stories of struggle and growth to tell; this platform is one way to honor that journey and project it into the future,’ he added.

Curator of the exhibition and CEO, Irachy Consult, Dr. Bukola Jaiyesimi said the exhibition weaves together diverse artistic perspectives on how legacy is shaped by dimensions of time and space. She noted that the exhibition ‘encourages contemplation of how art captures, distils, and projects human experiences across temporal and spatial boundaries.’

The participating artists include Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, Kolawole K. Olojo-Kosoko, Olumuyiwa Olusola Adeyinka Akingbade, Dr. Kafaru Abiodun, Dr. Doyin Labode, Titi Badmus Ganiy, Asholasa Daniel, Daniel klotoe, Olusegun Oduyele, Olufemi Onagoruwa, Ojo Olaniyi, Dr. Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe, Okemakinde Abiodun, Akingbade Oluwamayowa, Taiwo Emmanuel.

Others are Oyetumoh Yusuf, Dayo Adeyemi, Jimoh Luqman, Kehinde Adenle, Ajose Ayomide, Dr. Stella Awoh, Mofunayan, Olayemi Otuyelu Madu, Lotachukwu Ayogu-Eze and Azeez Razaq.

One of the participants, Olumuyiwa Olusola is a water-colour artist who paints stories of resilience, joy, and tradition. His works transform everyday scenes into timeless reflections on legacy, time, together and space. With a gentle yet powerful touch of watercolor, he celebrates the struggles that lift us upward and the rhythms that bring us together.

Through his art, Olusola shares the beauty of ordinary moments and the strength they carry for generations. His watercolor practice reflects on resilience, tradition, and human connection.

‘The fluidity of the medium allows me to capture fleeting moments while honoring the legacies that endure across time and space,’ he said at the preview.

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to strengthen workplace safety practices among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu also inaugurated the Safety First Campaign and unveiled the first-ever Occupational Safety Cadre in the Lagos State public service.

Speaking yesterday at the third Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference held in the state, with the theme, ‘Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a catalyst for nation Building,’ Sanwo-Olu, reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting workplace safety, public health and environmental protection.

Sanwo-Olu described the new occupational safety cadre as a groundbreaking initiative and the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, noting that it will institutionalise safety as a professional discipline within the Lagos State civil service.

He said: ‘For the first time, safety will not just be treated as a hard-core responsibility but as a recognized career path, complete with its own structure, training, and expertise.’

These steps will ensure that generations of Lagosians benefit from a professional core dedicated solely to occupational safety and health.’

The governor also highlighted the role of technology in driving modern safety standards, just as he announced the deployment of drones for surveillance, body cameras and thermal detection tools to enhance monitoring, enforcement, and emergency response.

In his keynote address titled, ‘Occupational Safety and Health as the Catalyst of Sustainable Nation Building,’ the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said there is overwhelming evidence that inadequate workplace safety continues to pose significant risks to workers globally.

He cited studies that showed between 10 to 30 per cent of industry workers suffer injuries, occupational diseases and health hazards on a yearly basis, which include physical accidents, exposure to harmful chemicals, long term respiratory complications amongst other issues.

According to him, the consequences of work-related accidents and illnesses are profound and result in lost workdays, reduced productivity, and rising healthcare costs.

He said while various African countries are ensuring safer work environment, Nigeria must position itself as a regional leader in embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) -driven safety practices across all sectors, from high-risk industries to MSMEs.

‘By integrating global standards, technology, and accountability, we can build workplaces that are safe, competitive, and resilient,’ he said.

Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Lanre Mojola said the agency realised enforcement action is reducing as compliance is increasing. He assured that the agency will continue to increase inspection across the state as enforcement is returned.

Mojola also stated that the agency will ensure that Vertical Transportation Equipment are fully enforced to the letter as Lagos continues to move on. He reiterated that over 20,000 facilities already registered have GPIS with pictorial evidence.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Special Duties and lnter-governmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, stressed that occupational and general public safety remains a top priority to the State Government, noting, ‘every Lagosian, deserves to live, work, and move freely without any fear.’

The Federal Government plans to refinance Nigeria’s expensive debt portfolio.

This is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the nation’s debt service costs and overall cost of borrowing.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made this known yesterday.

He spoke at the 55th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Abuja.

The ICAN conference, which started on Monday, is themed ‘Building Resilience: Aligning Reforms for Nigeria’s Development’.

No fewer than 13,000 Chartered Accountants were expected, according to ICAN President Mallam Haruna Yahaya.

The conference will end on Friday.

Edun explained that the decision to refinance the country’s high-cost debt was driven by a sharp rise in debt service obligations in recent years. According to him, ‘Debt service costs have surged: Treasury bill rates rose from 8% in 2023 to nearly 24 per cent, and external debt service almost tripled from budgeted N2.7 trillion to N6.7 trillion in 2024.’

Refinancing expensive debts involves replacing high-interest loans with new, lower-interest facilities to ease pressure on government finances, free up resources for developmental spending, and improve the country’s fiscal sustainability.

The move is consistent with the government’s medium-term growth strategy, which seeks to build a productive economy anchored on private sector investment, openness, and efficiency.

According to Edun, ‘Our growth strategy is centred on productive capital formation through increased private investment. We are working to achieve an output growth of 7.0 per cent GDP by 2027/2028, thus enabling the removal of millions of our citizens from poverty,’ Edun said.

He added that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is determined to transition the Nigerian economy into one driven by competition and innovation, with the government acting as a facilitator rather than a dominant player.

‘We are transitioning to an economy anchored on openness, competition, and efficiency, where the private sector is the engine of growth, and government efficiently plays its role as foreseer and enabler,’ the minister stated.

Edun explained that the Federal Government is also making substantial investments in the digital economy to unlock new opportunities for the country’s predominantly young population. He noted that over 65 per cent of Nigerians are under the age of 35, presenting a unique demographic advantage that must be harnessed through technology and innovation.

‘We are making bold investments in the digital economy. Through Project Bridge, a $2 billion Public-Private Partnership project supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, we are expanding fibre optic coverage by 90,000 km, building on the existing 35,000 km network,’ the minister said.

‘Our goal is 70 per cent nationwide internet penetration, reaching all LGAs and wards. This initiative addresses digital infrastructure gaps and promotes inclusion, especially for women and youth, paving the way for a tech-driven future,’ he added.

On government’s finances, Edun stated that Nigeria’s fiscal position has recorded significant improvement in the last two years, noting that revenue has grown by over 70 per cent in nominal terms.

He attributed the increase to key reforms implemented under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the liberalisation of the foreign exchange and fuel markets, and the automation of revenue collection systems.

‘The demand for development remains high as we strive to improve upon output growth and significantly enhance productivity. In part, this will be achieved by raising our infrastructure stock from its current level of less than 40 per cent of output towards the global benchmark of 75 per cent,’ Edun noted.

He said the government is deploying a range of innovative measures to mobilise domestic resources to meet development financing needs, particularly in a global environment constrained by limited liquidity.

Among these initiatives, he mentioned formalising the large informal sector-particularly in real estate and agriculture-as revealed by the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures.

Edun also mentioned the expansion of the tax base through the new Tax Reform Act, which harmonises tax processes and reduces multiple taxation to enhance productivity.

‘We are also working to strengthen digital revenue collection platforms,’ he added.

According to him, the government is also leveraging ‘asset financialisation by optimising the federal government’s balance sheets,’ with the expectation that subnational governments will adopt similar strategies to improve fiscal efficiency and revenue performance.

On social protection, Edun said the administration is expanding and strengthening its social investment programmes to reach more Nigerians in need.

‘This is being achieved through enhanced digital identification systems, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most, efficiently and transparently,’ he said.

He called on members of the accounting profession to play an active role in supporting fiscal and economic reforms through improved transparency and accountability mechanisms.

‘As custodians of financial integrity, your role is pivotal in this reform journey,’ Edun told ICAN members.

‘I urge ICAN to develop a transparent rating model for accounting firms, especially in tax audit, aligned with global standards-perhaps a ‘4-star to zero-star’ system that promotes accountability and excellence.’

The minister’s remarks at the ICAN conference reinforce the Tinubu administration’s determination to restore fiscal stability, drive private sector-led growth, and position Nigeria for sustainable economic transformation through prudent debt management, innovation, and digital inclusion.