Landmark

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed delight with the release of 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School Papiri community, Niger State, previously held in captivity after 100 of them were released early this month, saying that it is a sign that evil forces will not triumph over Nigeria According to the Governor, the release of the remaining students of the school, which brings the total number of those rescued to 230, fulfils President Bola Tinubu's pledge to ensure the freedom of the students without any hurt, and facilitate their reunion with their parents. Commending the President for the security measures rolled out, which he said had restored the confidence of Nigerians in their government, Abiodun said the catalogue of releases of abducted persons, including 24 from Kebbi State and 100 from a Catholic school in Niger State, as well as the Christian worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, shows that the Preside...

L-R: Sadiq Wada, Corporate Communications & Branding, Development Bank of Nigeria; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Theresa Lawal, Head of Development & Strategic Alliances, Development Bank of Nigeria during the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) Demo Day in Lagos recently. The future of women-led enterprises in Nigeria took center stage on November 21, 2025, as the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), with support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and Sterling One Foundation convened investors, ecosystem leaders, and high-potential women entrepreneurs for the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) Demo Day in Ilupeju, Lagos. The event underscored DBN’s central role in strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, particularly for women founders who remain critical drivers of economic growth.  The Demo Day marked the culmination of an intensive accelerator cycle funded and championed by DBN, featuring capacity-building, mentorship, and ha...

L-R: Gilbert Okpono, Snr. Partnership Account Manager, Water.org; Engr. Mukhtaar Temitope Tijani, Managing Director, Lagos State Water Corporation; Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Akporee Idenedo, Divisional Head Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank, at the Sterling Bank Water Credit Proposition held in Lagos recently. For millions of Nigerians, access to clean water and safe sanitation is still a daily struggle, with far-reaching consequences for health, livelihoods, and overallnl well-being.  To address this urgent challenge and strengthen the systems delivering WASH solutions, Sterling Bank, in partnership with nonprofit Water.org and Sterling One Foundation,.has launched the Sterling WASH Business Loan, a catalytic financing solution that empowers WASH businesses and service providers to scale sustainable access to safe water and sanitation across Nigeria. The launch, which took place on Monday, 24th November 2025, at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, signals ...

The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC), a foremost organization advocating for the interests, unity, and cultural integrity of Yoruba youth, has vehemently opposed the planned conferment of the Obaloyin of Yorubaland title on former Zamfara State Governor and current Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar by the Alaafin of Oyo. In a statement released today, YYC President Dr. Adebayo Ogunleye described the decision as a grave misstep that risks undermining the cherished Yoruba values of integrity, moral uprightness, and communal responsibility.  He said: “Yorubaland has always honoured individuals who embody the spirit of omoluabi – those whose character and actions reflect excellence, accountability, and the protection of life and property.  "Bestowing a title as exalted as Obaloyin, which signifies guardianship and military command, on someone with a deeply controversial record sends a dangerous signal to our youth and communities.” The Council highlighted the unprecedented escalation of b...

Chief General Manager (Maintenance), Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Hemant Dave, representing the Plant Director, delivering his address at the 2025 Dangote Cement Plc Ibese Plant Host Community Day held in Ibese, Ogun State. *L–R: Member, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyanju Adegoke Awoso; HRH Oba Lukumon Kuoye, the Olu of Imasayi; Chief General Manager (Maintenance), Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Hemant Dave, representing the Plant Director, as he presents a laptop to Mr. Badmus Adekunle Rasaq, one of the beneficiaries of the Youth Empowerment programme; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Oludaisi Olusegun Elemide; Chairman, Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State, Dr. Olusola Samuel Akinbode; and Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, at the 2025 Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant Host Community Day in Ibese, Ogun State. IBESE-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – As part of its sustained commitment to giving back to its host commun...

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has made several revelations concerning Nigeria and global affairs, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would face more opposition from northern Nigeria than from any other region of the country. Primate Ayodele made these assertions while speaking with journalists at the launch of his annual prophetic book titled; “Warnings to the Nation 2026.” According to him, President Tinubu is largely misunderstood in the North, noting that opposition forces would intensify propaganda against his administration ahead of the 2027 general elections. The cleric, who disclosed that the book contains 146 pages, said many people dislike him not because of who he is, but because of misinformation spread about him. “Some people lie about you and fools believe them. One day their eyes will open and they will regret doubting you. Do not fight for your name; let time fight for you,” he said. Primate Ayodele ...

We have watched Ben Okezie Kalu the deputy speaker of the House with all admiration. He exudes humour, humility and hardwork. Kalu did not catch our glimpse from the wrong side but from a prism of competence, dedication and above all patriotism in his legislative duties. Even though we may not have a full grasp of Okezie’s elementary political life up till his ascension to the exalted office of Deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, but it is on record that he served extremely well and meritoriously when as a first time member of the House of Representatives he was chairman Media and Publicity committee, doubling as spokesperson and image maker. Okezie stirred the House public outlook to the approval of Nigerians and the outside world,comparing that unit of the Nigerian bicameral legislature he managed its image to world parliaments, like the US Congress and the British House of Common,among others. At home, the House of Representatives earned “the Peopl...

A group of inter-faith religious leaders from northern Nigeria, styling themselves as the Concerned Northern Inter-Faith Clergy for Peace, has urgently called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of former governors Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State and Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State.  The clerics led by Bishop Sunday Bawa in a press conference in Abuja alleged that the two ex-governors bear responsibility for laying the foundations of the rampant banditry terrorising the North-West region. The appeal, issued in a strongly worded statement during the Yuletide season, references a widely circulated video released earlier this month by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.  In the video, Turji accused Bafarawa and Yerima of seizing and selling vast grazing reserves designated for herders and arming vigilante groups, known as Yan Banga, which he claimed targeted and killed Fulani communities. These actions, Turji alleged, sparked ethnic tensi...

 The Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency in the Extractive Industry (CCSTEI) has highly commended the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, for his transformative leadership in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja.  the coalition's National Coordinator, Dr. Agabi Emanuel praised Ojulari's bold reforms that have enhanced transparency, boosted operational efficiency, and driven significant improvements in crude oil production. The CCSTEI highlighted that since Ojulari's appointment in April 2025, NNPC Ltd has shifted from longstanding perceptions of opacity and inefficiency to a more commercially driven and accountable entity.  Key achievements noted include the consistent publication of monthly performance reports, which have fostered real-time stakeholder oversight. Financially, the coalition applauded the company's 2024 audited results, ...

A constitutional lawyer and national development advocate, Mr Jide Ologun, has been conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). Ologun, a public affairs analyst and human resource management professional, received the award on Friday at the 10th Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA 2025), held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Speaking after receiving the award, Ologun, a former Chairman of NIPR in Lagos State and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership Coaching and Strategy, described the honour as a motivation to further contribute to nation building through public relations practice. He said LaPRIGA 2025 marked a decade of celebrating excellence, innovation and professionalism in Nigeria’s public relations industry. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR, Dr Samuel Ayetutu, described LaPRIGA as a symbol of collective vision and professional commitmen...

The Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have strongly reacted to the resignation of the former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, by demanding an immediate, full-scale, and independent investigation into the regulatory activities carried out under his tenure. The CNPP and over 75 civil society organizations under the CNCSOs state unequivocally that the resignation of the NMDPRA boss must not be allowed to mark the end of public scrutiny.  In a statement jointly signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Comrade James Ezema, and the National Secretary Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs), Alhaji Ali Abacha, the political parties and civil society organizations noted that the resignation of the NMDPRA boss, rather than close the case, "must open the...

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...