Landmark

MD/CEO, Union Bank, Mrs. Yetunde Oni   Union Bank of Nigeria, one of the nation’s longest-standing financial institutions, today announced the successful completion of its merger with Titan Trust Bank Limited, following final approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).   This milestone concludes a process that began with the signing of a Share Sale Agreement in 2021 and positions Union Bank as an even stronger force within Nigeria’s financial services sector. Under the terms of the merger, Union Bank has fully absorbed Titan Trust Bank’s operations and assets. The combined institution will continue to operate under the Union Bank brand, while Titan Trust Bank ceases to exist as a separate entity.   With an expanded footprint of over 293 service centres and 937 ATMs nationwide, supported by strengthened digital channels, Union Bank is poised to deliver enhanced value across retail, SME, and corporate segments. The merger combines Union Bank’s trusted heritage with Tit...

By Ali Ibrahim  In Nigerian politics, a bye-election is rarely accorded the gravitas of a general poll. It is frequently dismissed as a parochial affair, yet, in the eye of a keen observer,  they function as a canary in the coalmine of a ruling party’s vitality.  They are the microscopic fissures that presage a larger structural failure or success, the subtle tremor that warns of a coming catastrophic event. The recent bye-election conducted in Garki/Babura Federal Constituency in Jigawa State is one of such tremor which have presented an inconvenient and politically hazardous truth which the All Progressives Congress (APC) party never forget easily. This truth was the embarrassment in the person of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of Defence. Shamefully, the party now openly nurtures a profound vulnerability which constitutes a clear and present danger to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid. However, the real facts of the election are not merely disappoin...

By Pius Ukpong Dr. Patrick Umoh is a man loved and adored by his people, not for grand speeches or empty promises, but for the way he truly listens. During his campaign across the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara  Federal Constituency, he didn’t just sweep through villages with a megaphone; he stood in crowded market squares and sat under shaded trees, hearing out farmers worried about their harvests, mothers anxious about healthcare, and youths yearning for opportunity. Those heartfelt exchanges stayed with him. Now, his constituents see the impact: a new health center providing free check-ups, scholarships opening doors for students, and streetlights turning dark paths into safe routes. To them, Dr. Umoh is more than a legislator—he’s the one who understands their struggles and delivers change they can see and feel every day. To those who know him, Dr. Patrick Umoh is widely regarded as a true man of the people and a dedicated project ambassador. His relentless pursuit and...

The President of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, has called on Nigerians, especially the youth, to remain faithful, prayerful and determined if they hope to achieve greatness in life.   Speaking during his 70th birthday celebration and thanksgiving service on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, Oladele urged Nigerians youths in particular to get closer to God to achieve greatness.   Oladele said that it is only through determination, truthfulness and God’s grace that a nation and its people could attain true greatness.   While glorifying God, Mr Oladele said: “I wouldn’t have been able to achieve greatness if not for the grace and mercy of God.   “Life is full of hills and valleys, and God created it for a purpose. I am very grateful to God that I was able to overcome and survive the ups and downs in journey of my life. If there is anything that has worked for me, it is God’s grace and mercy."   The CAC President ad...

By Seyi Bakare FOR obvious reasons, Dr Ope Banwo, the pompous monkey who calls himself Mayor of Fadeyi, cannot avoid portraying himself as the lick spittle par excellence of the controversial senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel.  Giving the impression that he is writing for a kindergarten audience, without logic or sense and, more significantly, without the faintest shred of the time-honoured value that the Yoruba people call Omoluabi, Gbenga Daniel’s errand boy has been vaingloriously mounting a futile campaign to deodorize his personal lord and savior, a notorious Judas who was virtually in penury before Governor Dapo Abiodun rescued him from his self-dug pit after running Ogun State like an emperor and getting completely shackled by his successor, Ibikunle Amosun.  In the process, because of the utter emptiness of his intellection and the depravity of his mind, he sets up a binary dichotomy in which Daniel is everything good and Dapo Abiodun everything bad.  ...

The recent Kaura Namoda South State House of Assembly bye-election in Zamfara State has ignited a firestorm of accusations, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) claiming a decisive victory over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  In a scathing rejoinder, Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris Gusau accused Governor Dauda Lawal of resorting to underhanded tactics, including hiring a “criminal writer” to deflect blame for the PDP’s electoral loss. The APC’s emphatic win in the bye-election, described as a “wide, incontestable margin,” left the PDP reeling, with party insiders reportedly pointing fingers at Governor Lawal’s leadership style, poor party coordination, and alleged favoritism toward outsiders.  Despite these internal criticisms, no legal challenge has been mounted by the PDP, which Gusau suggests is due to the undeniable outcome of the election. Gusau’s statement takes aim at a PDP-sponsored article penned under the pseudonym Yusuf Alkali AbdurRahman...

By Toby Prince Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong stands as a paragon of Nigerian excellence and a devoted servant of the people. He embodies visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and an inspiring beacon of hope, serving as a role model for Nigeria, Africa, and its youth. While representing one of Nigeria’s 109 Senatorial Districts, Senator Asuquo’s influence transcends boundaries, earning him accolades across the nation and beyond. His remarkable achievements, driven by lofty aspirations, have garnered widespread recognition—not because he holds the title of Senate President, but because he champions the aspirations of youth across all walks of life. Ekpenyong's vision has ignited inspiration among countless young people in organisations and nations across Africa, who see in him a shining example of exemplary leadership and a guide for their future. Senator Asuquo has tirelessly fostered unity, collaboration, and youth empowerment, breaking down barriers to expand access to education...

Former presidential candidate and Shepherd Superintendent of the Household of God Church, Rev Chris Okotie, in a terse statement circulated in the media on Wednesday, reacted to the ongoing political realignment ahead of the 2027 polls: “The political pendulum now swings within the axis of permutation and punditry. The set alarm will trigger an unprecedented frenzy that culminates in stupefying bedlam!”

By Ochonu Ochonu  In a country where economic plans often spark more debate than results, Senator Atiku Bagudu is rewriting the narrative with a rare blend of discipline and vision. As Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the former Kebbi governor is turning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into a framework that delivers for our country and the cotizens. His appointment was no gamble—Bagudu’s track record of fiscal prudence and bold reforms has made his ministry a linchpin for Nigeria’s prosperity, proving that steady leadership can outshine the loudest promises. Bagudu carries a reputation for getting things done—not with fanfare, but with the steady resolve of someone who knows a single policy can change millions of lives. His work, rooted in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is quietly reshaping Nigeria’s economic narrative, weaving stability and opportunity into a nation hungry for progress. Bagudu’s journey to this moment began in Kebbi, where he governed fro...

A group, the Nigerian Transparency Initiative (NTI), has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to openly address the corruption allegations leveled against him in recent months. The group said the controversies trailing his leadership are too weighty to be ignored, insisting that silence would only deepen public suspicion and erode confidence in the national oil company. In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Muyiwa Salami, cordinator of NTI, in a statement, said the controversies are capable of undermining the reputation of the NNPCL and the confidence of Nigerians in the oil sector. “We call on Mr. Bayo Ojulari to answer these allegations in clear terms. Failure to do so will only suggest that there is something to hide,” Salami said. The group also noted that while some groups have dismissed the allegations as political blackmail orchestrated by entrenched interests, the scale and consistency of the rep...

By Sharon Iwodi Engr. Gbenga Olu Komolafe’s appointment as the pioneer Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in October 2021 was met with widespread approval, proof of his distinguished career marked by professionalism and innovation. His ascent to this pivotal role was no fluke, built on a foundation of exemplary service in various capacities, including General Manager, Special Duties, Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, and Executive Director (Commercial) at the Pipeline and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC). Komolafe’s track record of transformative leadership in these roles positioned him as the ideal candidate to steer Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector into a new era. He's brought a multidisciplinary expertise to the NUPRC, holding two master’s degrees from the University of Ibadan in Industrial and Production Engineering and Industrial and Labour Relations, alongside a master’s in Social Sciences and a degree in L...

The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has formally commended Dangote Cement Ibese Plant for its outstanding commitment to tax compliance and its consistent role as the highest tax-paying industrial organisation in the state. OGIRS while on a familiarisation tour of the 12mmtp Cement Plant in Ibese led by its Director, Field Operations, Mrs. Oluwaseun Olajube praised the company management’s dedication to fulfilling its civic obligations, noting that Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has set a benchmark for corporate responsibility and financial transparency in Ogun State. The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders across Ogun State’s industrial sector, emphasising the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable economic growth and revenue generation. Impressed by Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant’s tax credentials, Mrs. Olajube expressed satisfaction with the Company and urged it not to drop its guard, while also seeking timely doc...

Following the clashes that resulted in the death of three traders inside Owode Onirin market along Mile-12 Ikorodu road, the Lagos Police Command has declared the Chief Executive Officer of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture, Abiodun Ariori, wanted for allegedly orchestrating the crisis that crippled commercial activities in the state. Aside from that, the Lagos police Command has arrested no fewer than four policemen who aided Ariori, a land speculator, to perpetrate the act inside the market. Ariori was said to have been the brain behind the clash that claimed the three traders’ deaths after storming the market on Wednesday to claim a section despite a court order mandating that parties maintain the status quo. Confirming the development, the Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, stressed that Ariori and the four policemen who were hired from another state were connected to the deadly clash between the traders and the land grabbers. “He is hereby declared wanted by the Lagos St...

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced plans to convene a high-level panel of seasoned experts to chart a strategic roadmap for promoting African exports in global markets. The panel session, titled “Laying the Tracks: Strengthening the Institutional Infrastructure for Africa’s Trade Promotion,” is scheduled for Day 2 of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC)—Saturday, September 20, 2025—at the Omni Atlanta Hotel, Centennial Park, Georgia, USA. Confirmed speakers include Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council; Shaquana Teasley — Founder & CEO, Agate Solutions (U.S.); Titus Olowokere, Executive Director of the US-Nigeria Business Council; Affie Braimoh, Founder of Sac Fruits and former Commissioner of Industry, Trade & Cooperatives, Edo State; and Sebastine Osita, CEO of GIG Logistic Technologies Ltd. Isaiah Ndukwe, Divisional Head of Export and Agriculture at Fidelity Bank Plc, state...

By Usman Baba, Shuaibu Awaisu and Sani Yusuf Kokki Distinguished Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, popularly known as Sani 313, is by all standards a courageous man. In 2019, Sen. 313 relaunched his political ambition under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, challenging the very popular Bar. David Umaru, who was the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. It was a daunting task that seemed impossible. After a fierce battle, right from the party primaries to the general election, the winner was finally decided by the Supreme Court. Confirming the maxim that impossibility doesn't exist, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, upheld arguments by Musa’s legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), on Friday, June 14th, 2019. They concluded that Musa won the primary of the APC for the election and was the actual candidate for the election. Since his inauguration as a Senator of the Federal Republic...

The APC Youth Congress has issued a scathing rebuke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Dauda Lawal, attributing the party's crushing defeat in the recent Kaura-Namoda South State Constituency bye-election to Lawal’s abysmal performance in office. The group dismissed the PDP’s claims of electoral irregularities and misuse of armed forces as baseless excuses meant to deflect from the governor’s failure to deliver on his campaign promises. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Kamilu Sa’idu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the bye-election, securing 8,182 votes against PDP candidate Muhammad Lawal Kurya’s 5,544. The election, conducted in Sakajiki and Kyambarawa polling units, followed an inconclusive by-election due to a narrow vote margin. In a statement, Comrade Gambo Danladi, spokesperson for the APC Youth Congress, described the PDP’s loss as a “referendum on Lawal’s incompetence.” He accused the governor of failing to d...

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to convene key stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector for Eduthrive, an inspiring two-day conference designed to equip school owners with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the upcoming academic session. Themed “Positioning Your School for Growth,” the event will take place from August 28 to 29, 2025, at the Fidelity SME Hub, 22 Lanre Awolokun Street, Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos. It will feature panel discussions, stakeholder engagement sessions, and networking opportunities, including participation from the Lagos Office of Education Quality Assurance. The program is tailored to support sustainable growth and operational excellence in the education sector. According to Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, “Running a profitable educational institution today requires a blend of academic expertise and smart entrepreneurial skills. From keeping pace with evolving standards to upgrading facili...

Femi Otedola’s ‘Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business’ debuted online and in bookstores on Monday, August 18 across the world to rave reviews. And in one week of release, it has settled comfortably on the bestseller list. Applauded by moguls, economists and technocrats, the 286-page business memoir of the Chairman of First HoldCo PLC and Geregu Power PLC topped charts and discourses in just seven days of global release. Appearing at number 4 on Amazon UK best seller list in business biographies and memoirs on Tuesday, August 19, it rose to number 3 on Wednesday, August 20—and it has settled there for many days. Part-autobiographical and self-help, ‘Making It Big’ is laced with lessons for budding entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders. It tells Otedola’s story vividly and refreshingly—from birth, family, schools, businesses and more—as well as lists pieces of tips and advice to show us how to advance in life and in business. Otedola narrated the story of his life and busi...