Landmark

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for their decisive response to the menace of banditry and kidnapping in both states. The organisation also lauded the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, as well as the Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos States, Bode Ojajuni and Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, for their coordinated efforts in tackling criminal activities along the Ogbere-Sagamu-Ore corridor. In a letter titled “Afenifere Commends Security Chiefs and Governors for Decisive Action Against Banditry and Kidnapping on the Ogbere-Sagamu-Ore Road”, signed by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, the organisation praised the Inspector-General for providing strategic leadership and intelligence-driven policing that has strengthened the fight against organised crime. According to the group, the unwavering political commitment demonstra...

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship through a strategic partnership with the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), a Federal Government-backed initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, support and opportunities required to build sustainable livelihoods. As part of the collaboration, Fidelity Bank is supporting the enrolment of students and young people into the YEIDEP programme, which aims to address youth unemployment, promote enterprise development and expand economic participation among Nigeria's growing youth population The next phase of the initiative will take place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where the institution has confirmed its readiness to host the enrolment exercise for students and youths across the Southeast region. According to the Office of the Vice Chancellor, the exercise is scheduled to hold from J...

A protest erupted at the Lagos State Judiciary following the controversial conduct of Honourable Justice A.T. Muyideen of the Lagos State High Court in relation to the case involving Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi. The controversy stems from the events of 25 June 2026, when Justice Muyideen ordered the remand of Akanbi at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre despite his critical medical condition. Akanbi was reportedly brought to the court premises in an ambulance and placed on oxygen support. The court allegedly declined to consider the medical report tendered before it, as well as the oral evidence presented by the medical practitioner who accompanied him. According to earlier reports, upon Akanbi’s arrival at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, correctional authorities refused to admit him because of his deteriorating health condition. This reportedly resulted in a disagreement between the correctional authorities and the police officers escorting him. Following the intervention of the Chief Jud...

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for their decisive response to the menace of banditry and kidnapping in both states. The organisation also lauded the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, as well as the Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos States, Bode Ojajuni and Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, for their coordinated efforts in tackling criminal activities along the Ogbere-Sagamu-Ore corridor. In a letter titled “Afenifere Commends Security Chiefs and Governors for Decisive Action Against Banditry and Kidnapping on the Ogbere-Sagamu-Ore Road”, signed by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, the organisation praised the Inspector-General for providing strategic leadership and intelligence-driven policing that has strengthened the fight against organised crime. According to the group, the unwavering political commitment demonstra...

The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations that members of the State Executive Council prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them, describing the claim as a malicious fabrication intended to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the administration. In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government faulted a publication by the blog Naijamixed titled, "Cabinet members reportedly prostrate before Ogun State Governor when he is displeased with them." The government said the report was entirely false, stressing that no commissioner or cabinet member has ever been compelled to prostrate before Governor Abiodun or engaged in such an act. It also dismissed as "ridiculous" the claim that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before the governor, describing the allegation as evidence of the publication's lack of credibility and...

Union Bank, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), commemorated the 2026 World Environment Day with a symposium at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, calling for stronger collaboration to confront climate change, advance conservation and equip young people to lead a more sustainable future. The gathering brought Union Bank together with leading stakeholders for frank discussions on environmental sustainability, climate action and shared responsibility, in keeping with this year's World Environment Day theme, "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future." The conversation reflected a growing global consensus, captured in Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action and Sustainable Development Goal 17 on partnerships, that no single institution can meet the climate challenge alone. Delivering her goodwill message, Union Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, urged businesses to match their commitments with a...

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, for initiating the joint Ogun-Lagos security operation, Operation Kosaye, describing it as a bold, proactive and intelligence-driven initiative that has significantly strengthened security across the two neighbouring states. Governor Abiodun said the operation has recorded remarkable successes through coordinated security operations that have seen operatives comb forests and criminal hideouts along the Ogun-Lagos corridor, neutralise armed bandits, arrest several criminal suspects and rescue kidnapped victims. The Governor noted that the achievements recorded under Operation Kosaye have restored public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and reinforced the commitment of security agencies to the protection of lives and property. He said the sustained offensive against criminal elements has effectively made Ogun and Lagos States increasingly hostile to kidnappers, bandits and ot...

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced that the 28-kilometre stretch of the Federal Government’s 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway traversing Ogun State will be completed before the end of 2026, saying the landmark project has given a major boost to the proposed Ogun Deep Sea Port and other strategic investments along the state’s coastline. The governor, who spoke  while commissioning the reconstructed Gao-Ibiade Road in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, said the coastal highway would unlock the economic potential of Ogun Waterside by providing the critical infrastructure required to drive industrialisation, maritime development and large-scale investments. Abiodun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing it as a bold and visionary national infrastructure project that would not only open up enormous economic opportunities for Ogun State but also stimulate trade, investment, tourism and regional...

A member of the defence team representing Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi has expressed concern over what he described as a possible threat to his client's life while in police custody, alleging that recent developments have heightened fears previously expressed by the defendant's family. The concerns followed proceedings before Hon. Justice A.T. Muyideen of the Lagos State High Court on Thursday, June 25, 2026. According to the defence, Akanbi, who is facing criminal prosecution, was transported to court in an ambulance and placed on oxygen support due to his deteriorating health. The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. However, the defence said officials at the correctional facility declined to admit the defendant, citing his medical condition, and instructed the police to return him to their custody. Following the development, the court reportedly issued a fresh directive ordering the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to retain ...

L-R Special Adviser to Ogun  state Governor on Water Resources, Damilola Otubanjo, Ojotumoro of Abi Igi, Oba Segun Ogunye,Speaker of Ogun State house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, Ogun state governor Prince dapo Abiodun,  Deputy Governor of Ogun State,Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Orimolusi of ijebu Igbo,  oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba during the commissioning of Gao Junction to Ibi Ade road in Ogun waterside local government on Friday. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signalled a major economic transformation for Ogun Waterside Local Government, announcing that the long-abandoned Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) project is set for revival while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to positioning the coastal axis as Nigeria’s next industrial and maritime hub. The governor made the announcement on Friday during the commissioning of the reconstructed Gao-Ibiade Road, describing the project as a strategic investment aimed at preparing the area fo...

L -R: Nneoma Onuoha, Acting Team Lead, Development Finance & Intervention Funds, Fidelity Bank Plc; Anthony Asonye, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Impact Credit Guarantee Limited (ICGL); Ugochi Osinigwe, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking; Imaobong Nkanta, Product Manager, SME Banking; and Chiwuike Okere, Team Lead, SME Banking, (all of Fidelity Bank Plc); at the Development Bank of Nigeria Service Ambassadors Award which held recently in Lagos. Fidelity Bank Plc has again reinforced its leadership in small and medium-scale business banking as it emerged the winner of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time. The award recognises the Deposit Money Bank that has successfully onboarded previously unbanked or credit excluded Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across Nigeria, reflecting Fidelity Bank’s sustained commitment to deepening financial inclusion, im...

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has called for an independent investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), accusing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of making contradictory statements regarding the agency's existence. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Adeniyi said he was compelled to speak following what he described as attempts to misrepresent him and suppress questions surrounding the alleged agency. He began by extending birthday wishes to Gbajabiamila, describing the press conference as a "birthday gift" while urging him to disclose what he knows about the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. According to Adeniyi, Gbajabiamila's June 11 disclaimer distancing the Presidency and the Office of the Chief of Staff from the two bodies raised more questions than answers. He argued that if the PFIPC did not ex...

 Justice A.T. Muyideen of the Lagos State High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi despite the accused person not being physically presented before the court. Akanbi, who has reportedly been receiving treatment at the Police Hospital for more than 14 days due to a critical medical condition, was brought to the court premises in an ambulance and remained on oxygen support. Owing to his condition, he was unable to enter the courtroom. When the matter was called, only the two other accused persons, Fatai Shafi and Yusuf Ismaila, were presented before the court. Despite being informed of Akanbi's medical condition and the fact that he remained in an ambulance outside the courtroom, Justice Muyideen ordered that he be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending his arraignment. The court was also informed that the charge sheet, information and proof of evidence were served on Akanbi's legal team in court. It was further brought to the attention of th...

Justice A.T. Muyideen of the Lagos State High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi despite the accused person not being physically presented before the court. Akanbi, who has reportedly been receiving treatment at the Police Hospital for more than 14 days due to a critical medical condition, was brought to the court premises in an ambulance and remained on oxygen support. Owing to his condition, he was unable to enter the courtroom. When the matter was called, only the two other accused persons, Fatai Shafi and Yusuf Ismaila, were presented before the court. Despite being informed of Akanbi's medical condition and the fact that he remained in an ambulance outside the courtroom, Justice Muyideen ordered that he be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending his arraignment. The court was also informed that the charge sheet, information and proof of evidence were served on Akanbi's legal team in court. It was further brought to the attention of the...

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSDGs), has hosted a high-level delegation from Ethiopia on a sub-national exchange visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on sustainable development financing and the implementation of Nigeria’s Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF). The visit, which brought together development financing and economic planning experts from both countries, focused on sharing best practices, fostering partnerships, and exploring innovative approaches to financing sustainable development initiatives. Welcoming the Ethiopian delegation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGs, Mrs. Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, emphasized the importance of peer learning and strategic partnerships among African nations in addressing development financing challenges. She reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to sound fiscal management...

Photo caption: L-R: Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, Project Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Mr. Shunom Leo, Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank University of Jos Branch; Ms. Caroline Dafur, Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development;  Hon. Sunday Amuna, Executive Chairman, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Mr. Saje Joseph, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Plateau State Ministry of Education; and Mrs. Victoria Abuka, Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc; at the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) Back-to-School outreach in Plateau State recently. In a significant demonstration of its commitment to the development of education and community empowerment, Fidelity Bank Plc has donated back-to-school packs to school pupils in Plateau State. The intervention, which took place in Jos, saw over 600 randomly selected pupils drawn from all 17 Local Government Areas of the state ...

The Ogun State Government and the Nigeria Police Force have intensified efforts to strengthen security across the state, with a renewed focus on tackling cross-border crimes and safeguarding communities, businesses, and critical economic assets. This commitment was reinforced during a strategic security meeting between the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, DIG Fayoade Adegoke, and Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The meeting centered on enhancing collaboration between the state government and security agencies to address emerging security challenges, particularly criminal activities linked to Nigeria’s international borders. Speaking during the meeting, Talabi reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, noting that security remains a critical pillar of the administration’s development ag...

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) OFR, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law and strict adherence to globally accepted human rights standards across all military operations. The Honourable Minister gave this assurance at the Ship House, Abuja, during a diplomatic working visit by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Victims’ Rights Advocate, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma, and her delegation. Briefing the visiting UN team on the comprehensive frameworks implemented by the Federal Government to address historical challenges from past foreign peacekeeping operations, General Musa assured the delegation of a transparent, seamless communication channel. This mechanism is designated to expeditiously resolve long-standing paternity claims arising from legacy missions in Liberia, bringing a definitive closure to the decades-old issue. In her remarks, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma outlined 42 legacy cases currently under re...

The Ogun State Ministry of Justice has provided an update on two high-profile gender-based violence (GBV) cases that have attracted widespread public attention across the state. In a statement issued by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, the Ministry clarified developments surrounding the alleged rape of Miss Nsikak Abigael Emem, popularly known as Mirabel, and the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Ifo Local Government Area. According to the Ministry, investigations by relevant authorities, as well as Mirabel’s own admissions, established that the rape allegation was false and deliberately fabricated. The statement noted that there was consequently no offender to be apprehended or prosecuted in connection with the claim, and no threat to public safety arising from the narrative initially presented. The Ministry explained that, following a comprehensive review of the circumstances, it concluded that the interest of justice would be better serve...

Caption: L-R: Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank Plc, Murtala Muhammed Road Branch, Kano, Victor Ngwu; Export Management Programme (EMP 19) participant, Abayomi Adewuyi; Facilitator, Gemma Ejiofor; Senior Fellow and Head, Department of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Mgt., Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Uche Attoh; Director, Export Management Programme, LBS, Prof. Frank Ojadi; and Team Lead, Export & Agriculture, Fidelity Bank Plc, Emmanuel Nwalor, during the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of the Fidelity Bank Export Management Programme (EMP 19) held recently at Lagos Business School, Lagos Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria's economic diversification agenda through capacity building and export development, as it hosted the 19th edition of its Export Management Programme (EMP) at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Ajah, Lagos recently. Tagged EMP 19, the programme is an intense hands-on export management workshop, organize...

The latest State Performance Index (PSPI) ranking released by Phillips Consulting has once again raised serious concerns about the direction, priorities and overall performance of the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration in Ondo State. More significantly, it exposed the widening gap between the promises of the administration and the harsh realities confronting the people of Ondo State. In the latest ranking, several States, including Lagos, Abia, Ogun, Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa, received commendable ratings for governance and development performance. Their impressive showing underscores what is possible when leadership is guided by vision, strategic planning and effective service delivery - areas in which Ondo State appears to be falling behind. While these States continue to record measurable progress and improve the quality of life of their citizens, Ondo State appears to be moving in the opposite direction. According to Phillips Consulting, the 2025 edition introduced a revised ...