Landmark

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the career advancement of Graduate Primary School Teachers (Tutor Cadre) from GL. 16 to GL.17. This was contained in a Statement signed by the State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya.  The Head of Service explained that the  decision aims to address stagnation at the peak of the cadre and enhance motivation, ensuring improved service delivery in the primary education system. According to him, the  Governor also approved a consolidated salary structure for Head-Teacher General, thereby upgrading their status.  This move, Mr Onasanya explained, reinforces the state's commitment to strengthening the education sector and supporting its workforce  He explained that the policy decision on the elongation follows a review of existing career progression frameworks and is designed to improve learning outcomes.  The Head of Service  said the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has been directed t...

Photo caption: L-R: Public Relations Officer, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Amarachi Amusi; Team Member, Optimizers Inductees Class of 2025, Precious Uchechi-Uneke; Class Governor, Optimizers Inductees Class of 2025, Chinedu Hilary-Elijah (both of Fidelity Bank Plc); Matron, Children's Ward ESUTH, Esther Nnaji; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; during the Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP) outreach to ESUTH recently. Fidelity Bank Plc has brought relief to indigent patients at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Parklane, by offsetting medical bills and providing financial support to children battling chronic health conditions alongside donations of ante-natal kits to pregnant women. The intervention, which was carried out under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative known as Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), was funded and executed by newly inducted employees ...

Polaris Bank has continued its commitment to empowering the Nigerian girl-child through health education and essential support, with the successful distribution of female hygiene essentials to female students of Kuramo and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Lagos.  This initiative stems from Polaris Bank’s 2025 International Women’s Day celebration and forms part of our ongoing Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme.  Through the Bank’s Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Initiative, the outreach aims to improve menstrual hygiene education, build confidence and dignity among young girls, and reduce school absenteeism resulting from lack of access to sanitary products. Speaking at the event, Group Head, Customer Experience & Value Management, Polaris Bank, Mrs. Bukola Oluyadi, delivered a practical health talk to the girls, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper hygiene during their menstrual cycle and in their daily lives.  Sh...

The Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, declared that it would not compromise on standards in road construction across the state, urging all contractors engaged by it to deliver an excellent job that conforms with government specifications, or risk losing those jobs.  The government handed down this warning following the stop-work order issued by the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, on Monday, December 15, to the Managing Director of Slavabogu Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the  reconstruction of the Paddy Arikawe road, G.R.A., in Sagamu area of the state. The road, which is 3.39km in length and is being done by the Ogun State Government, previously attracted a stop-work order when the contractor handling Phase One of it, namely a 260-metre constituency project of the senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel, failed to abide by specifications. The Ogun State Government said that information obtained in respect of the roa...

Bothered over persistent insecurity across the country, a coalition of families torn apart by rampant banditry in Northwest Nigeria has appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to investigate serious allegations against two former governors. The Coalition of Families Affected by Banditry, representing victims who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods to relentless violence, has written a letter to the President in Abuja.  Exhausted by domestic inaction, they called on the President to  help uncover the truth behind claims that policies under former Zamfara Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa laid the groundwork for the region's insecurity through the seizure of grazing reserves and arming of vigilante groups. In the letter signed by  Chairperson Otuba Rawene, Secretary Sani Usman, PRO Haj. Hadijat Abdullahi, and 20 others, the group said: " Many of us have lost loved ones in brutal killings, seen family members abducted, or bee...

  By James Itodo    The Nigerian oil and gas sector, since its discovery, exploration, and exploitation at the turn of the century, has become the goose that lays the golden egg, likened only to the much-sought-after bride.   This is because oil, and later gas, remained the main economic sustainer, accounting for virtually all the revenue utilised for the economic sustainability and stability of the country—a nation driven by a monolithic economy.   Various attempts at sustaining its viability failed because those reforms lacked the necessary ingredients and the political will of their drivers to succeed. Moreover, the temptation of the enormous amounts generated, and the ease of generating this revenue, became stronger than the moral responsibility and patriotic devotion of the country's leaders, causing various rulers to rely completely on oil while abandoning or ignoring agriculture and every other means of generating revenue, including all forms of diversifi...

Sterling Bank Limited has brought together stakeholders in the renewable energy industry to explore ways to accelerate action in the sector.  The premier colloquium, held in Lagos on Monday, aimed to identify priority areas for action to increase energy access and drive economic growth in the quest to attain a one trillion-dollar economy. Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank Limited, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, gave the charge in his address at the colloquium organized with the theme: Beyond The Grid; Unlocking New Frontiers in Renewable Energy. The   CEO,   who   was   represented   by   Dele   Faseemo,   Group   Executive, Corporate & Investment Banking, explained that Sterling Bank will be paying closer attention to policy actions in two or three key priority areas, especially regulation and financing.  He noted that by focusing on these areas, the Bank can do more  to  ...

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State; Chief Olusegun Osoba,former President of Nigeria;Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Pastor in charge of The Citadel Global Community Church; Pastor Tunde Bakare,Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun,wife of the Governor; Mrs Bamidele Abiodun and the Deputy Governor; Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele during the Christmas Carol and service of 9 lessons held at the Arcade Ground of the Governor's office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Monday. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun,  has called on residents of the state to remain vigilant, security-conscious and proactive during the yuletide season to ensure a peaceful, safe and joyful celebration. The governor also reminded the people that the true essence of Christmas lies in the spirit of giving and selflessness, stressing that the season is not only about professing faith but about being Christ-like in love, humility and service to humanity. Governor Abiodun made these remarks at the Christmas Carol and Service of ...

The Crisis and Situation Monitoring Room (CSMR), a human rights advocacy organisation, has issued a strong demand for an immediate, independent investigation into serious allegations linking the Kwara State Government to the arming of criminal elements responsible for escalating banditry in the state. The group's intervention follows widespread public concern over claims that prohibited firearms and a government-branded security vehicle ended up in the hands of suspected bandits operating in Ifelodun Local Government Area and beyond. In a statement, Dr. Anthony Rowland Attah, Executive Director of CSMR, sharply criticised Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq's administration for what he described as a dangerous pattern of insecurity and potential complicity that has eroded public trust. “The allegations emerging from recent security operations are not mere rumours but point to a profound crisis of governance in Kwara State," he said.  "If officials under Governor Abdulraza...

A powerful coalition of civil society organizations has declared joint nationwide protests across Nigeria, with simultaneous demonstrations in New York and London, to demand the immediate removal of Farouk Ahmed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).  The protests will commence on Wednesday from Ahmed's office in Abuja and continue throughout the week in major cities, while diaspora actions target the UN House in New York and Nigeria House in London. The coalition includes the Nigerian Citizens for Transparency (NCT), Anti-Corruption Alliance of Nigeria (ACAN), Sokoto Welfare Foundation (SWF), Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ), African Refiners Network (ARN), Lagos Civil Rights Movement (LCRM), Global Nigerians Diaspora Forum (GNDF), Nigerian Integrity Watch (NIW), Petroleum Workers Union of Nigeria (PWUN), Youth Empowerment Initiative (YEI), Economic Sabotage Watch Group (ESWG), International Coalition Agains...

Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Charity Trust, has successfully concluded its 2025 nationwide distribution of school essentials to 1,000 students across ten public secondary schools in five states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative is part of the Bank's sustained Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to keep more children, especially the girl child, in school. This year’s exercise adds to a growing intervention that has supported more than 24,000 students in public schools across 49 locations since 2021. This year’s beneficiaries received a complete learning kit consisting of a school uniform, school bag, a pair of sandals, six exercise books and pens. According to school authorities, these materials continue to improve attendance, boost confidence and support academic performance. In delivering the programme, Polaris Bank also stimulated the local economy by sourcing uniforms from local tailors, procuring books from bookshops and purcha...

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, on Friday ruled in favor of Fidelity Bank in its appeal against Sagecom Concepts Limited. Given previous rulings, this marks a significant victory for Fidelity Bank in a long-running legal dispute. The judgment brings definitive closure to a legacy case that has attracted attention across the financial sector for more than two decades. In a motion dated October 8, 2025, Fidelity Bank sought clarification from the Supreme Court, requesting a consequential order that the judgment debt be paid in Naira. The bank also asked that the interest rate be set at 19.5% per annum rather than 19.5% compounded daily. Additionally, it prayed that the exchange rate used for conversion be the rate on the date of the High Court judgment, in line with the Supreme Court’s decision in Anibaba v. Dana Airlines. Fidelity Bank further requested that the judgment debt be fixed at ₦30,197,286,603.13 and that interest on this amount be payable...

L-R: Head, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Union Bank, Olufisayo Adelekun; Chairman, Wonder Energy, Engr. Toju Koso; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Olufunmilola Aluko, Team Lead, External Communication, Union Bank, Favour Ayeni; Executive Asst, Corporate Communication and Marketing, Union Bank, Boluwatife Lawal; Products and Partnerships Specialist, Union Bank, Oghenemaro Ebrorhie; Team Lead, Digital Marketing, Union Bank, Abisola Oluyede; and Customer Service Partner, Union Bank, Eduvie Ejakpomewhe during the Award presentation to Union Bank for Best Company in Workplace Practice at the 2025 SERAS Awards held at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lagos recently... Union Bank of Nigeria has secured another prestigious accolade, being named Best Company in Workplace Practice at the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards. The ceremony took place on Saturday 29 November 2025 at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. This significant achi...

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to partnering with the Ogun State Government to intensify sensitization on the Federal Government’s students’ loan scheme. Mr. Sawyerr stated this on Thursday while speaking with newsmen after a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a national initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at ensuring all Nigerians have access to financial support to advance their educational pursuits. Commending Ogun State for its laudable educational programmes, he noted that NELFUND recognises the governor’s proactive efforts in promoting the scheme and encouraging widespread enrolment. “Part of this meeting is to appreciate the governor for what he is doing. Going forward, we have agreed to deepen our collaboration and support for the State because it has ...

By Tayo Mabeweje In recent weeks, the political atmosphere in Ogun State has been saturated with an alarming resurgence of grandstanding. The same familiar voices that once misled the state with hollow promises and cosmetic governance have suddenly found renewed courage. They have taken to social media with unrestrained zeal, attempting to rewrite history and whitewash an era many remember as a period of retrogression. These ghost-singers of failed leadership now beat their chests, claiming phantom legacies that crumbled almost as quickly as they were announced. Ogun State has not forgotten. There was a time — not too long ago — when the reins of governance were in the hands of a single political performer whose administration glittered brightly under artificial lights but collapsed under the weight of its own superficiality. It was a reign marked by theatrics rather than thoughtful planning, self-promotion rather than service, and glitzy announcements unbacked by sustainable developme...

The Dapo Abiodun administration in Ogun State has taken measurable steps that reinforce youth empowerment as a foundation for community security, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, has said. Akinmade stated this in a  keynote address delivered at the NUT Secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta, during a one-day Youth Security Summit, themed "Youth-Led Strategies for Community Security," and organised by the Ogun State Chapter of the Nigeria Youth Organization in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, on Friday. According to him, this is because the youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the defenders, innovators, and nation-shapers of today.  He stated that their insight, creativity, and courage are essential to the safety and progress of the state, adding that when young people embrace leadership, insecurity retreats; and that communities grow stronger when they lead with purpose. Akinmade, who highlighted the Ogun...

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has mourned the passing of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died on Thursday. In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Thursday, Abiodun said he received news of the death of  Ewhrudjakpo, who died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was rushed to the hospital after slumping on Thursday afternoon, with shock. He said the incident was particularly painful as the deceased was in his office attending to his duties when the incident happened, adding that he apparently defied illness to serve the people of Bayelsa State. While commiserating with the Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri, and the Government and people of Bayelsa State, he urged them to take solace in the life of service that the deceased lived. He said: "I received news of the demise of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, with deep sor...

Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation. The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026. Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment. The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law. These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system. The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government age...

L-R: Kola Oluyemi, Group Head, Sterling Academy; Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan Atlantic University (PAU); Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank; Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, Head, Alumni Engagement and Support Services, EDC at PAU; and Akporee Idenedo, Divisional Head, Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank at the recent MoU signing to certify graduates of Sterling Bank’s Non-Oil Export Academy...   Sterling  Bank  Limited  has  signed  a  Memorandum  of Understanding (MoU) with Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) to certify graduates of its Non-Oil Export Academy.  This strategic partnership underscores the Bank's commitment to diversifying Nigeria's economy by supporting non-oil export growth. This landmark agreement follows the recent launch of the Sterling Bank Non-Oil  Export  Academy, designed  to  position  Nigerian  exporters  for  glob...