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The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of creating and operating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi, but the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appeared for the prosecution when the case was called on Wednesday.

Oyedepo told the court that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had asked him to take over the prosecution of the case. He then told the court that the matter was slated for arraignment.

Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, also told the court that the defence was ready when the judge asked.

The charges were subsequently read to Adeyemi, who said he understood all the counts but pleaded not guilty to each of the eight counts.

‘In view of the not guilty plea by the defendant, he is due to have put himself for trial,’ Oyedepo said after the plea.

The prosecution prayed the court for an accelerated trial, as the case had attracted public attention.

The DPPF also asked the court to remand Adeyemi to the Correctional Centre pending the determination of the charge and in view of the production of the defendant before the court. He also prayed the court to fix a date for trial.

However, Adeyemi’s lawyer informed the court of his intention to move his motion dated and filed on 12 January 2026. He said it was an application for bail which ‘had been served on the prosecution and had responded with a counter-affidavit’.

When the judge told him that the application would be heard on the next adjourned date, Francis also told the court that the defendant was under medical care and had an ‘appointment on Friday’.

But Oyedepo immediately interjected and assured the defence that it would have access to Adeyemi in custody, adding that ‘he will be well taken care of’.

Although Francis maintained that the sickness ‘was communicable’, he did not disclose the nature of the illness.

After listening to both lawyers, the judge ordered that Adeyemi be ‘remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending’ the court’s decision on the bail application and then adjourned the case until 12 October 2026 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his repeated failure to appear for arraignment.

He is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation over his claim to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, an organisation the Presidency has disowned as ‘fake’.

AS His Imperial Majesty, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland, turns 82 and celebrates his first anniversary on the throne of his forefathers in grand style, I join the sons and daughters of Ibadan and, indeed, the entire people of Ibadanland in congratulating Kabiyesi and praying for him to enjoy many more years in good health.

In his characteristic and sometimes unpredictable style, Oba Ladoja chose spirituality over fun and merriment to mark his first anniversary on the throne. Rather than indulge in elaborate celebrations, the Olubadan chose to give thanks to Allah by visiting the House of Allah at the Kaabah in Makkah and subsequently paying a visit to the Mosque of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Al-Ameen. When Senator Ladoja ascended the throne of his forefathers last year, I told some of my colleagues that, to my knowledge, if there was anything that gladdened the hearts of the majority of Ibadan sons and daughters, and indeed the inhabitants of this ancient city, it was the ascension of His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Senator) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa ma ru tise I to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland. Oba Rashidi Ladoja has always told us that ‘only God, the Alpha and Omega,’ chooses an Olubadan of Ibadanland. This has never been in doubt. In his journey to the highly revered throne of the Olubadan, Ladoja completely submitted himself to the will of Allah (SWT).

This piece is not an attempt to regurgitate the enviable virtues of Oba Ladoja, which millions of Nigerians, both at home and abroad, have discussed across various media platforms, from digital to traditional media. My focus here is, based on my very close relationship with Oba Ladoja as a follower, mentee and son, to reflect on what I anticipated as the possible, mouth-watering and far-reaching dividends of Oba Rashidi Ladoja’s Olubadanship-the unprecedented development and opportunities that could accrue to Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general. In my prediction of what Ibadan and Oyo State stood to benefit from His Imperial Majesty, Rashidi Ladoja, in his new role as Olubadan.What I found difficult to resolve in my estimation was how the new Olubadan would negotiate and navigate his well-known ‘servant-leader’ tendencies and approach to leadership alongside the royal and kingly traditions of the throne, where an Oba, nay a Kabiyesi, ‘rules without questioning’ (Ka bii o si), as a traditional or natural ruler ordained by God, rather than as a ‘servant’ in the context of public or civil service.

As we have all witnessed in the last one year, Oba Ladoja has brought his influence and connections to bear in attracting development, peace, sanity and unprecedented recognition to Ibadan and, by extension, to Oyo State and neighbouring states.I remember that, upon becoming Olubadan, Oba Ladoja repeatedly stated that he was no longer a politician but a royal father and the father of all politicians, irrespective of their political leanings. I also remember clearly that when Kabiyesi was promoted to Otun Olubadan, he told us that his politics had become ‘developmental’-meaning that he was only interested in politics that could bring growth and peace to Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.That explains why he supports politicians and non-politicians alike when they approach him on matters concerning the development of society and the wellbeing of the citizenry.Without doubt, we have seen tangible gains of Arusa I as a result of his deliberate choice of developmental politics over unproductive partisan politics.

We all know how active Senator Ladoja was as a member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). We can also remember how and when he left Nigeria and went into self-exile during the military era when the Abacha junta was hunting for him. He invested all that he had in the struggle-money, wealth, assets, time and even the risk to his life.In fact, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu still owes many of us an explanation for the conspicuous omission of Senator Ladoja’s name from the list of heroes of June 12 who were recently honoured. I believe that it is not too late for the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to make amends by appropriately honouring Oba Rashidi Ladoja as a hero of June 12.

For a good observer of Oba Ladoja’s approach to life, he has always strived for good living, welfare and the wellbeing of everyone around him.Within a period of one year, Kabiyesi has attracted major infrastructure projects and development opportunities for the benefit of Ibadan, Oyo State and neighbouring states such as Ogun and Osun states.The reconstruction and dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road was the first request Olubadan Ladoja placed before the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He did not ask for any personal favour or pecuniary gain. The dualisation of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road was the second major project associated with the support extended to the Olubadan by the President. Indeed, the Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, during the flag-off of Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road project, openly stated that the two roads being reconstructed and dualised were approved as part of President Tinubu’s support for the Olubadan’s reign.More recently, the channelisation of Kudeti was also approved by the Federal Government, and work is ongoing on the three projects.

All these gains did not come by accident. Senator Rashidi Ladoja and President Tinubu served as governors at same times in this 4th Republic: Tinubu from 1999 to 2007, and Ladoja from 2003 to 2007. Before the Fourth Republic, both men served as senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the defunct Third Republic. They were in the trenches and in exile as NADECO warriors.These are men who, in many respects, share a commitment to the development of human capital and the environment. I can pardon those who ignorantly believe that Oba Ladoja has become partisan because of his closeness to the President. They have probably, or deliberately, failed to understand the inherent relationship between the duo, which dates back many years before Asiwaju’s presidency and Ladoja’s Obaship.

From my closeness to Kabiyesi, I can maintain that Olubadan is not partisan. He sees all politicians as his sons and daughters, but Ladoja will never close his eyes to misgovernance or any anti-masses policy. When he was in active politics, he dedicated himself to the welfare and wellbeing of the people, with particular interest in the survival and prosperity of the downtrodden.Ladoja is wealthy in all ramifications. (See the rest on www.tribuneonlineng.com)

Professor Ayeleru, FNAL, is a former Director-General, Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry

God has been kind to him and this, according to him, underscores the reasons why his policies and personal values have always been pro-masses.

As a billionaire, Rashidi Ladoja lives a prudent nay spartan life. Kabiyesi is very judicious and accountable. He respects the laws of the land and enjoins his followers to be law-abiding. Oba Ladoja does not tolerate any acts of indiscipline from his followers and mentees. Olubadan is a man of peace, but when and where he sees the powerful trying to oppress the weak, he will wrestle with powerful individuals because he always insists that power should be used to protect both the weak and the strong in the society.

Within the first two weeks of his installation as Olubadan of Ibadanland, he constituted several royal committees to protect and emancipate the people socially, economically and politically. Such committees include the Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, the Ibadan Economic Development Committee, and a host of others.The membership and leadership of these committees are made up of sons and daughters of Ibadan who are seasoned professionals, former ministers, ambassadors, permanent secretaries and other accomplished citizens.

Let me illustrate one of these attributes of Kabiyesi Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja with a recent personal experience.An illustrious son of Oyo State is in the process of establishing a private university in Ido Local Government, Oyo State. Ido is one of the local government areas in what is popularly called Ibadan Less-City. There are others like Oluyole, Akinyele, Egbeda and Ona-Ara.The private university is gradually taking off, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) has conducted its first resource verification visit. But the land grabbers would not allow the proprietor to concentrate on the physical development of the university.

After the first visit, the NUC was very impressed and sent an official letter to Olubadan to garner his support for the university. I was privileged to be part of the team led by our distinguished Professor Dawud Noibi that presented the letter to the Olubadan and his Council at the Oke-Aremo Palace.Kabiyesi Ladoja, a First-Class graduate of Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Université de Liège, Belgium, was visibly excited. He prayed for and thanked the owner of the proposed university, Mr Zakariya Akinpeju, FCA. He also prayed for the smooth take-off of the institution. Kabiyesi pledged and assured the unflinching support of the Olubadan and his Council for the smooth take-off and for a peaceful and enabling environment for the university.

As is customary in Yorubaland, while visiting a palace, presenting a small gift to the Kabiyesi is not a bad idea. To the surprise of many, except a few of us who are familiar with Oba Rashidi Ladoja’s style, Kabiyesi declined to accept the cash gift which the team presented to the Council.Oba Ladoja wondered why he should accept such a gift from someone who had personally invested his resources in the development of his kingdom.Instead, Olubadan directed that the Olubadan-in-Council should use all legal means to rid the university site of the menace of land grabbers and provide a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the growth of the new university, which will obviously serve the interests of the people of Ibadanland.

To return to my earlier observation at the beginning of this piece, the reason why many core Ibadan indigenes, especially market men and women, artisans and a host of others, could not see the difference between Ladoja as governor and Ladoja as Olubadan is justified by the level of landmark development that His Imperial Majesty has attracted to Ibadanland within a short span of one year on the throne.The average Ibadan person, especially those in the grassroots, believes in the enormity of Ladoja’s power and influence.There is no doubt that the status and influence of Ladoja reflect a combination of both political and traditional authority, chiefly because Olubadan Ladoja, Arusa I, was and is not a man of small repute. He is what the Yoruba will call ‘at?ba télè ko tó joba.’

Kabiyesi, as you celebrate the anniversary prudently and gratefully in the house of your Creator, Kaabah in Makkah, I pray that God Almighty will grant you long life in good health so that you will continue to serve your people, who always count on your support for their wellbeing.May God increase your faith, guide you and continue to protect you. Amen.

I wish you a happy 82nd birthday and a joyous first coronation anniversary.

Bon anniversaire, Votre Excellence, Oba (Sen.) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has approved an N1 billion solar mini-grid project for the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State, to improve electricity supply on the university campus.

The project, approved under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Solarization Agenda for Alternative Energy, will involve the installation of a 0.5-megawatt (500-kilowatt) solar mini-grid.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Public Affairs of the university, Mr Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, and made available to Online Tribune in Dutse, the state capital.

According to the statement, work on the project is expected to commence soon and be completed within three months.

It said the solar mini-grid would provide additional electricity to the university and improve power supply for teaching, learning, research, and other activities on campus.

The statement also disclosed that the Energy Commission had approved 100 solar-powered streetlights for the university, with 50 already ready for installation.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of FUD, Professor Ahmad Mohammed Gumel, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the Energy Commission, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for the initiative.

Gumel also said the commission was prepared to partner with the university on renewable energy research.

He said the partnership would enable the institution to strengthen research and innovation in renewable energy while contributing to efforts to promote sustainable power solutions.

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission (DAWN) and the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Foundation have restated their commitment to the realisation of state policing, an idea strongly advocated by the late former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, during his lifetime.

The two organisations are marking what would have been Akeredolu’s 70th birthday with a colloquium titled, ‘Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria.’

The programme, scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, is expected to bring together governors, lawmakers, security chiefs, traditional rulers, academics and civil society actors to discuss policing and national security in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan on Tuesday, a representative of the Akeredolu family, Mr Taiwo Adewole, said the family decided to commemorate the late governor through ideas and conversations around issues he championed during his lifetime.

According to him, Akeredolu, who would have turned 70 on July 21, 2026, was a lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and two-term governor of Ondo State.

Adewole described the former governor as ‘a man of courage,’ saying Akeredolu spoke when silence was safer, acted when waiting was easier and stood up when others sat down.

He said Akeredolu remained committed to the security and welfare of the people, particularly during periods of insecurity in the South-West.

‘When farmers were killed on their farms, he did not look away. When criminals made our forests their hiding places, he drew a line. When terror came to Owo, his own hometown, he stood with his people and grieved with them,’

Adewole recalled that Akeredolu, as Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, played a leading role in the establishment of Operation Amotekun despite opposition and doubts from some quarters.

‘He believed security begins at home. He believed the people closest to a community are best placed to protect it,’ Adewole said.

He added that the family had chosen not to mourn Akeredolu with tears alone but to honour him by continuing conversations around the ideas and causes he championed.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the DAWN Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, said the commission was proud to convene the Aketi@70 Colloquium in partnership with the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Foundation.

Oyeleye said the event was aimed at keeping alive Akeredolu’s contributions to the debate on state policing and national security.

He said Nigeria’s security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and attacks on farms, highways and places of worship, had made the debate on policing increasingly important.

According to him, Nigeria’s centralised policing structure is under strain, making it necessary to have a serious conversation about how state policing can be implemented, funded, regulated and made accountable.

‘The debate on state policing is no longer about whether. It is about how.

‘How do we fund it? How do we train and equip it? How do we guard against abuse? How do we keep it accountable to the people, not to politicians?

‘These are the questions this colloquium will tackle,’ he said.

Oyeleye said the discussion was not a regional or Yoruba agenda but a national issue that went to the heart of Nigeria’s federal structure.

He said the experience of Operation Amotekun had demonstrated the potential of regional cooperation and the importance of local knowledge in addressing security challenges.

‘Amotekun showed what is possible. Regional cooperation works. Local knowledge saves lives,’

He urged Nigerians and the media to participate actively in the discourse, saying Akeredolu’s death should not mark the end of the ideas and conversations he started.

‘Honouring Aketi is not about the past. It is about the Nigeria we must build,’

The Secretary-General of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Mrs Naomi Olabode, described Akeredolu as a ‘strong and dogged fighter’ who believed deeply in Nigeria.

Olabode, who served as an executive assistant to the late governor, said Akeredolu always placed Nigeria at the forefront of his actions and stood for equity, fairness and justice.

She urged people across the South-West to attend the colloquium to honour the late governor.

‘This is a legacy we must keep,’ she said.

The Head of Special Projects and Funding at the DAWN Commission, Prince Adetayo Adeleke-Adedoyin, said the theme of the colloquium reflected the issues to which Akeredolu dedicated his life, including justice, activism, fairness and equity.

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Professor Tukur Adamu, has identified insecurity, banditry, illegal mining and destruction of agriculture among the major challenges confronting the state.

He called for sustained research and evidence-based approaches to addressing insecurity, illegal mining and other socio-economic challenges confronting Zamfara State.

The VC disclosed this on Wednesday during the First Hybrid National Conference themed ‘Zamfara State @30 (1996-2026): Governance, Security and Sustainable Development Pathway,’ organised by the Centre for Leadership and Democratic Research, Federal University Gusau.

Professor Tukur Adamu, represented by the Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Lawal Sa’adu, explained that Federal University, Gusau, has a special responsibility to contribute knowledge and ideas capable of supporting government policies and development initiatives.

‘Governance, security and development are closely interconnected, sustainable development requires effective institutions, accountable governance and an environment where citizens can live and pursue their livelihoods peacefully.

‘The challenges require not only immediate interventions but also sustained research and evidence-based strategies to address their underlying causes,’ he stated.

He commended the Zamfara State Government, keynote speaker, paper presenters, participants and organisers for their contributions to the conference.

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Talata Mafara University, Professor Shehu Sidi Ibrahim, identified insecurity as the major challenge hindering sustainable development in the state.

‘Despite the progress recorded in infrastructure and institutional development, insecurity had continued to undermine the gains made in various sectors.’

Professor Sidi, however, said Zamfara had every reason to celebrate its 30th anniversary, citing the establishment of universities, a polytechnic, a college of education and an airport as some of the developments recorded since its creation.

Earlier, the Director, Centre for Leadership and Democratic Research, Federal University Gusau, Dr Abdurrahman Adamu, called for stronger leadership and practical solutions to accelerate the development of Zamfara State as it marks 30 years of creation.

Dr Adamu said the programme was initiated to bring scholars and other stakeholders together to examine the state’s development journey and generate workable ideas for its advancement.

In this report, YEKINI JIMOH examines the ongoing workplace security campaign and its implications for workers’ welfare, job security and the 2027 political landscape in Kogi State.

As the nation gears up for the 2027 general elections, Kogi State is already witnessing heightened political activities, with organised labour taking a leading role in mobilising workers for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The sensitisation campaign, spearheaded by the Special Adviser to Governor Ododo on Labour Matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka, has traversed several local government areas across the three senatorial districts, taking its message of workplace protection, security consciousness, workers’ welfare and political awareness directly to the grassroots.

Held under the theme, ‘Workplace Security: Protection, Sensitisation and Preparedness Against Banditry and Kidnapping,’ the campaign sought to draw workers’ attention not only to the security of their workplaces but also to the need to protect their jobs and welfare by supporting policies they believe promote workers’ interests.

From Okene to Ogori-Magongo, Ankpa, Adavi, Okehi, Dekina, Omala, Bassa, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro, workers and labour leaders expressed varying degrees of support for the continuity of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations.

Security and job protection

Speaking during the campaign, Edoka said workplace security had become increasingly important in view of the security challenges confronting society, particularly banditry and kidnapping.

He maintained that security was a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of government, workers and other stakeholders.

According to him, workers must remain vigilant and security-conscious while also understanding that job security is an essential component of workers’ wellbeing.

‘Security is a collective responsibility, either in the workplace or beyond. Government is committed to providing the leadership and resources, but cannot do it alone.

‘The political will is the foundation of all security progress. Governor Ododo is ready for all-round protection of the people and property. The workers’ job is not an exception,’ he said.

Edoka also urged workers to make informed political choices, arguing that continuity in government was necessary where existing policies and programmes were yielding positive results.

Workers’ welfare takes centre stage

A major component of the campaign has been the presentation of the welfare initiatives of the Ododo administration as evidence of its commitment to workers.

Edoka listed the implementation of the new minimum wage, payment of full salaries to local government workers, full hazard allowances for doctors and other health workers, health insurance coverage for workers and pensioners, promotions and payment of promotion arrears, leave bonuses and the provision of buses for the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council.

He said the measures had helped create a more conducive working environment and strengthened the relationship between government and organised labour.

The campaign has consequently become not only a security sensitisation exercise but also a platform through which workers are being encouraged to examine the policies and programmes of the present administrations before making their electoral choices in 2027.

Labour backs continuity

The Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gabriel Amari, said organised labour’s participation in the campaign was informed by what he described as the verifiable achievements of the Ododo administration.

Amari noted that the governor had taken steps to improve workers’ welfare without necessarily waiting for pressure from labour unions.

He urged workers to sustain the cordial relationship between government and organised labour, saying the existing partnership should be protected.

Similarly, the State Chairman of the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Olusegun Alemeru, said workplace security was directly connected to the wellbeing of workers.

He urged workers to see the 2027 election as an opportunity to make decisions that would protect their jobs and welfare.

The Senior Technical Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Chief Godwin Edime, also canvassed continuity, saying the policies of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations should be sustained for the benefit of workers and the wider societyorsements across the councils

The campaign has received strong endorsements from workers and labour leaders in several local government areas. From the western senatorial district to the east and the central, labour leaders including chairmen of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Medical and Health Workers Union, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) among others passed a votes of confidence in Governor Ododo and described the governor’s interventions as a departure from what workers experienced in the past and assured the campaign team of massive support for the governor’s re-election.

The Kogi State President of NULGE, Comrade Muhammad Sanusi Inyanya, described the situation as a moment of celebration for workers, commending Governor Ododo for placing workers’ welfare on the front burner.

A campaign beyond politics

Although the campaign has a clear political undertone, its organisers have continued to present workplace security as its central theme.

Edoka has repeatedly urged workers to remain vigilant against threats such as kidnapping and banditry while encouraging labour unions to speak with one voice.

In Ofu and Ajaokuta, workers pledged their support for Tinubu and Ododo, while the Director of Local Government in Ofu, Mrs Joy Audu, described the engagement as timely.

Across the councils, cultural displays and large gatherings of workers added colour to the engagements, underscoring the campaign’s growing visibility at the grassroots.

The road to 2027

With the campaign now moving across the three senatorial districts, its organisers appear determined to turn workplace engagement into a broader grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

For the labour unions and workers who have publicly endorsed the administrations, the argument is straightforward: policies affecting salaries, minimum wage, promotions, healthcare, hazard allowances, pensions and general working conditions should be considered alongside broader political issues when deciding who should govern.

For Edoka and his team, therefore, workplace security goes beyond protecting government offices from physical threats. It also encompasses the protection of workers’ livelihoods and the continuity of policies they believe have improved their conditions.

As the 2027 political season gradually gathers momentum, the campaign has provided the Ododo administration with another platform for direct engagement with one of its most important constituencies-the organised workforce.

Whether the endorsements recorded across the local government areas will ultimately translate into electoral strength remains a question for the 2027 polls. But one message has emerged consistently from the campaign trail: Kogi workers want their welfare, job security and relationship with government to remain central to the political conversation.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate for Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency in the 2027 elections, Comrade John Nwulu, has accused the Imo State Government of abandoning the people of the area since Governor Hope Uzodimma assumed office.

Nwulu made the allegation during a media interaction with practicing journalists from Ohaji/Egbema in Owerri, where he attributed what he described as the poor treatment of the area to alleged hatred by the state government.

He said the oil-producing local government area supported Uzodimma during the governorship election but questioned why the people had allegedly been repaid with what he described as abandonment.

Nwulu, who is contesting the Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency seat, lamented the lack of motorable roads, electricity, and functional projects across communities in the area.

He said he joined the 2027 race to, among other things, improve what he described as the battered image of the area and provide effective representation for the people if elected.

The PDP candidate also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments at the state and local government levels of failing the people of the oil-producing council area.

Nwulu described the situation as an ‘abysmal failure’ on the part of the APC, saying it was unacceptable for an oil-producing local government to lack good roads connecting its communities and villages.

According to him, Ohaji/Egbema has no serving commissioner in the current administration, while the position of Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC), which he said should be reserved for oil-producing communities, had allegedly been given to an area he claimed had no connection with oil production.

He said, ‘Today no single project has been attracted to the area by the present government. Going to Owerri from Mmahu, the council headquarters of Ohaji/Egbema, you are bound to spend a number of hours. This is the same thing to the road from Umuapu/Ilile/Umuokanne, amongst other communities in the council.’

Nwulu promised to work with leaders and other stakeholders in the constituency to attract infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities; create jobs; and promote education if elected.

The former ISOPADEC Youth President of Ohaji/Egbema also expressed concern over what he described as the failure of the people to benefit from ISOPADEC and Adapalm funds.

He pledged to work towards ensuring that the people of the area benefited from the funds.

Nwulu also expressed concern over the state of public infrastructure across the local government, saying poverty and hardship had persisted despite the area’s oil and gas resources.

He urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

The PDP candidate said he would also address insecurity through what he described as good leadership and create employment opportunities by improving social infrastructure.

He appealed to the people to support his candidacy and elect him to the State Assembly in 2027, promising to represent their interests.

He said: ‘When I win, I will graciously and cordially work with the leaders of Ohaji/Egbema and other relevant stakeholders to restore ISOPADEC, revive Adapalm, attract functional infrastructure in the Constituency to strengthen productivity and resourcefulness, thereby boost collective economic prosperity.

Nwulu said he had the democratic and leadership experience as well as the communal understanding required to represent the people of Ohaji/Egbema.

He also called for greater partnership with the media and supported the idea of organizing a political debate for all candidates contesting the constituency’s 2027 election.

According to him, the debate would provide an opportunity for candidates to explain their programs to the people and enable residents to assess their plans and capacity.

The Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State has thrown its weight behind a vocational skills acquisition programme designed to equip youths with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.

The council chairman, Prince Abdullahi Momodu, disclosed this, on Sunday, pledging the council’s collaboration with the organisers of the initiative, which seeks to widen access to legitimate economic opportunities for youths in Esanland.

The programme organised by the Centre for Moral Value and Justice, in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry for Public Safety and Security, is meant to provide vocational and entrepreneurship training to young people in the five local government areas in the Esan axis.

Convened by Comrade Inegbenehi Sylvester, with Chris Okojie, as co-convener, the initiative will be officially flagged off on October 6, at the Esan West Local Government secretariat.

The training will subsequently be decentralised to Esan West, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan Central and Igueben local government areas.

It will be facilitated by the Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen, affiliated with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), with participants expected to acquire practical knowledge in various areas of vocational enterprise.

Momodu said the council would mobilise youths in Esan Central to participate actively, stressing that practical skills could bridge the gap between formal education and the changing demands of the labour market while opening pathways to sustainable livelihoods.

He added that the council would work with the organisers to ensure that the initiative translated into tangible economic opportunities beyond the award of certificates.

Momodu urged the youth to embrace the programme as a pathway to self-reliance, improved living standards and productive contributions to their communities.

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday commenced preparations for the 2026 basic training programme for new recruits with a retreat for trainers drawn from various training disciplines.

The retreat, held in Lagos, brought together trainers responsible for areas including drill, medicals, security, sports and other aspects of the Service’s training programme.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the initiative was part of the innovations introduced by the Service to bring trainers together under one platform rather than having them operate in separate segments.

Adeniyi urged the trainers to work as a team and review the training modules with a view to producing officers the Service and the society would be proud of.

He said working in silos could undermine the desired results, stressing the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing among the trainers.

‘If you don’t work like a team, you will not get the desired results. Working in silos will not give us what we want, but if you come together as a team, it is a natural answer,’ he said.

The Customs boss also urged heads of the various training units to take full responsibility for their areas while remaining open to contributions from others.

He said nobody had a monopoly of knowledge and advised the trainers not to dismiss or condemn the views of their colleagues.

‘To deliver this process and to get the desired results, all of us must work as one,’ Adeniyi said.

He recalled his experience as a trainer in 2008 and 2009, saying the officers trained during that period had risen through the ranks, with some serving as Assistant Controllers.

According to him, the success recorded by those trainees was partly attributable to the collaborative efforts of the trainers at the time.

Explaining the rationale behind the retreat, Adeniyi said the Service had previously trained its trainers in segments, with different resource persons and instructors meeting them at different times.

He said the new approach was designed to bring all the trainers under one roof to promote a common understanding and ensure that everyone worked towards the same objective.

‘You bring a resource person, talk to them. You bring the drill instructors, talk to them. It was taking time. So, instead of breaking these segments, we brought everybody under one roof for the same purpose, to get the same results and drive towards the same purpose,’ he said.

He added that the approach would save time and promote greater coordination among the trainers ahead of the commencement of the basic training programme.

On what he expects from the new recruits, Adeniyi urged them to demonstrate discipline, perseverance, and calmness throughout their training.

‘They should be calm, they should be gentle, they should have perseverance, and they should exhibit a very high level of discipline,’ he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Commandant of the Ikeja Training College, Deputy Comptroller Precious Atah, described the retreat as the first of its kind.

Atah said the retreat was important to set the pace for the training programme and urged the trainers to approach the exercise with an open mind.

The Coordinator of the retreat, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Greg Itotoh (rtd.), also addressed participants at he event.

He charged the trainers to be free to discuss anything without holding back, noting that in such a way, grey areas will be exposed and solutions will not be far-fetched.

Financial market experts are set to examine the opportunities, volatility, and risks confronting Nigeria’s equities market as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections at the 2026 fourth-quarter Master Class scheduled for Saturday, October 3.

The virtual event, to be held via Zoom, will focus on how investors can navigate market volatility, political uncertainty, and changing economic conditions while positioning their portfolios for opportunities on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The Master Class, themed ‘The NGX – New Opportunities with Volatility and Risk Trading,’ is being driven by Garba Kurfi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of APT Securities and Funds Limited; Dr Sylvester Anaba, Head of Research, United Capital Plc; Abdul-Rasheed Oshoma Momoh, Executive Director, Operations, TRW Stockbrokers Limited; and Ambrose Omordion, Chief Research Officer, InvestData Consulting Limited, who is the convener.

The programme comes as investors contend with heightened market volatility and the approaching 2027 election cycle, with participants expected to examine how previous election cycles have influenced trading patterns and asset prices.

Kurfi will speak on ‘The Profitable Trading and Investing Strategies To Play NGX For The Rest of 2026 And Beyond,’ while Momoh will examine ‘Election Cycle and Patterns On The NGX: How To Trade Profitably and Protect Capital.’

Anaba will address ‘How To Position and Pick Smart Money Stocks In Q4 And Post-Election Rally,’ while Omordion will focus on ‘Straightforward Sell Or Hold Techniques To Handle and Manage Winning Stocks On NGX.’

According to Omordion, the Master Class is designed to equip investors with practical tools for identifying fundamentally sound stocks, avoiding unnecessary losses and building portfolios capable of generating returns beyond the election period.

He said market corrections should not automatically be interpreted as losses, describing them as part of the repricing process through which fundamentally strong companies could become more attractively valued.

‘When the market corrects or pulls back, quality companies that were expensive become affordable with fundamentals remaining intact. That is where long-term wealth starts,’ Omordion said.

He added that political uncertainty could amplify market volatility while also creating opportunities for investors willing to take a measured approach.

‘Political cycles always create volatility. But they also create entry points,’ he said, adding that investors should use market corrections to build watchlists of companies with strong earnings and dividend records.

Omordion advised investors to consider phased buying and naira-cost averaging rather than committing all their funds at once amid election-related uncertainty.

‘Scale in as uncertainty peaks. The investors who do well on the NGX are not the ones who avoid corrections and politics. They are the ones who use both to buy quality at a discount,’ he said.

He said the programme would provide participants with practical strategies for combining fundamental, technical and sentiment analysis to navigate a market characterised by uncertainty, changing investor behaviour and global volatility.

The InvestData chief research officer said participants would also be taught how to identify opportunities while managing the risks associated with inflation, political developments and market sentiment.

According to him, the Master Class will provide hands-on guidance on filtering market noise, determining appropriate entry and exit points and navigating different market cycles.

Participants will also examine strategies for preserving capital and positioning investments in sectors with the potential to support earnings and equity-price growth.

The organisers said the programme would further address the balance between fundamental and technical investing, risk and return, buying and selling decisions, as well as bullish and bearish market conditions. Omordion added that participants would also receive a practical session on selected stocks and strategies for identifying opportunities capable of generating returns above inflation.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the organisers said understanding the interaction between political developments, investor sentiment and equity-market performance would be central to investment decisions in the months ahead.