Ozo Onyekachukwu Igwe, Chairman of Akinwunmi Traders Association and Chief of Staff to the President-General of Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market, Mushin, Lagos, was celebrated in grand style by fellow traders and friends last weekend on his birthday.
The event saw a large turnout, including the President-General of Ladipo International Market, Prince Africanus Ogudoro, and his predecessors, Chief Jude Nwankwo and Chief Kingsley Ogunor, among other notable personalities.
Guests praised Igwe for his contributions to the market and acknowledged God’s blessings in his life. In a show of appreciation and solidarity, attendees showered him with cash gifts.
The birthday cake was cut at the count of five-letter words, GRACE, symbolising God’s grace in his life. Igwe, visibly elated, joined in the celebrations and thanked everyone for their kind gesture.
Olori Janet Afolabi, CNN award winning journalist and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, has been honoured with International Philanthropy Award.
World Women Organisation, the organiser of the award said it was in “in recognition of your Philanthropy and contributions in innovative food distribution in rural areas and vulnerable communities in Western Nigeria,the award committee has unanimously selected you as a recipient of International Philanthropy Award. This award is to honour and celebrate your humanity and spirit of generosity”
The award was presented at the Inauguration ceremony of World Women Organisation Nigerian Chapter, where Olori Afolabi was invited as a Special Guest and award recipient.
The ceremony which took place at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, brought together distinguished women, leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders from various sectors to celebrate the power of unity and collaboration in driving Women empowerment and economic inclusion.
World Women Organisation is a movement where women speak to, for and with women, to address the challenges that hinder progress while empowering women to assume leadership roles in their communities, nations and globally.
The Organisation operates in 61 countries with its global headquarters in Maryland, United States of America.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Idris Adamu (Rtd) as Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), effective December 1, 2025.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, said the appointment forms part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficiency in military pension administration.
AVM Adamu, from Borno State, is described as a seasoned financial expert and senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force, with extensive experience in military budgeting, finance, and institutional management.
He previously served as Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC); Deputy Director of Budget at the Defence Intelligence Agency; Principal Staff Officer, Finance, at the Air Warfare Centre; and Commander of 081 Pay and Accounting Group.
Adamu also held the positions of Director of Finance at NAF Headquarters, Managing Director of Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited (NAFIL) and the NAFIL Group of Companies, as well as Directing Staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
President Tinubu urged the new chairman to uphold integrity and patriotism while deploying his financial expertise to improve the welfare of military veterans and ensure effective management of pension resources.
In an effort to tackle the mounting challenge of drug and substance abuse among the youths of Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in strategic collaboration with Maroil Nig Ltd, has embarked on a far-reaching, multi-dimensional sensitization campaign across the state.
This campaign is in commemoration with the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, amplifying the global call to action against the devastating consequences of substance misuse.
Anchored by the powerful theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Chain, Say No to Drug Abuse,” the initiative seeks not simply to raise awareness but to instill lasting behavioral change and resilience among a vulnerable youth population grappling with the lure of drugs.
Harnessing the strength of a broad coalition comprising the NDDC, Maroil Nig Ltd, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police Force, and other critical stakeholders, the campaign kicked off with an energetic road walk.
The march, spanning major landmarks from Ekeki park down to Igibim to onopka and other areas, served as a highly visible platform for disseminating compelling anti-drug messages to the public.
Participants actively engaged community members through the distribution of educational flyers, visually impactful branded T-shirts, and caps, thereby fostering ongoing dialogues about the grave dangers of drug abuse and the societal costs it imposes.
The lectors delivered incisive lectures highlighting the far-reaching consequences of drug dependency. These presentations underscored the devastating impact on mental health, physical well-being, academic progress, and the broader social fabric of communities, emphasizing that addiction is not an individual affliction but a collective menace.
The experts emphasized that combating substance abuse demands a comprehensive, systemic strategy that cuts across the drug supply chain, from cultivation and trafficking to consumption. Integral to this approach is community involvement. They called on residents to remain vigilant, nurture open channels of communication, and actively partner with law enforcement agencies to identify and dismantle drug networks operating within their neighborhoods.
School authorities warmly expressed their profound appreciation to the NDDC and Maroil Big Ltd, for championing this transformative endeavor. They heralded the campaign as a vital platform for equipping youths with the knowledge, confidence, and resolve needed to reject destructive behaviors and make empowered, life-affirming decisions.
Importantly, this landmark campaign positions Bayelsa as beacon of hope and resilience across the Niger Delta region, fostering an environment ripe for sustained community engagement, enhanced drug education, and robust youth empowerment programs.
The strategic alliance between the NDDC and Maroil Nig Ltd, stands as a sterling example of collaborative leadership harnessing expertise and grassroots mobilization to tackle complex societal challenges. Their partnership demonstrates that with unwavering commitment, targeted education, and holistic empowerment, a drug-free, thriving youth generation is an attainable goal.
As the battle against drug abuse grows ever more urgent, this initiative resonates as a clarion call, affirming that through collective action, enlightenment, and intentional empowerment, we can safeguard the future of our youths and build stronger, more resilient communities.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Orlu Chukwuemeka, for his alleged involvement in a one-chance-style kidnapping and armed robbery in Enugu, the state capital.
The arrest came as security agencies intensify efforts to curb criminal activities during the festive season.
Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives of the New Haven Division and the Distress Response Squad (DRS) acted swiftly on a distress call received around 6 a.m. on December 6, leading to the suspect’s apprehension.
Preliminary investigations showed that Chukwuemeka and an accomplice, who is currently on the run, posed as operators of an unregistered white mini bus and abducted a female passenger at Fourth Dimension, along Chime Avenue, Enugu.
The suspects reportedly stabbed the victim and pushed her out of the moving vehicle after robbing her of her Android phone and ATM card.
They then attempted to escape through the Independence Layout area.
Acting on timely intelligence, police operatives trailed the vehicle, intercepted it, and arrested Chukwuemeka while his accomplice fled.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment and later identified the arrested suspect as one of her attackers.
Ndukwe confirmed that the suspect has been arraigned and subsequently remanded in custody, while efforts have been intensified to track down the fleeing member of the gang.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended residents whose swift information aided the arrest, assuring that the Command remains fully committed to tackling violent crimes throughout the Yuletide and beyond.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible security information to help police sustain ongoing crime-prevention operations across the state.
Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy, has officially earned a Professional Culinary Art Chef diploma from the Hospitality Business School (HBS) in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Ekiti-based chef completed the programme on a full scholarship sponsored by Horecabb Mentors, Ofadaboy, and the Ekiti State government.
Chef Dammy’s graduation marks a significant milestone in her culinary career, following her widely publicised cook-a-thon attempt in June 2023.
In an Instagram post, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from a top-tier institution, acknowledging the support of her sponsors, supporters, and the Nigerian government.
She wrote, “It’s safe to say Chef Dammy is officially a professional chef. Grateful to have graduated from the best hospitality school in Nigeria, first in Africa and among the top 10 in the world. Cheers to the grace of God and the favor of men that have brought me this far.
“To everything we’ve achieved in 2025, and to the even greater things ahead. God bless HBS. @hbshotelschool_lagos. God bless my sponsors. God bless my supporters. God bless Nigeria. And God bless me”.
The scholarship program, which includes five additional courses, aims to produce well-rounded chefs.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, has urged the Federal Government to increase its 2026 budgetary allocation to accommodate the Agri-based Digital Innovations (AgriDi) research programme.
He said the inclusion would boost agricultural activities across states, especially in Enugu, Ebonyi, and other pilot centres in Nigeria and Africa.
Prof. Ortuanya made the appeal during the close-out meeting of the Accelerating Inclusive Green Growth through Agri-based Digital Innovation in West Africa (AgriDi) project in Abuja.
The initiative, which operates from UNN, is currently funded by the European Union in partnership with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe).
He commended the Federal Government’s expansive 2025 budget but expressed hope that AgriDi would be captured in the 2026 fiscal plan.
“Our appeal is that AGriDi should be included in the 2026 budget. This will help the team not to completely depend on foreign donors. Just last week, the Enugu State government presented a budget of N1.6 trillion with agriculture having a fair share. It is appreciated, but including AGriDi will further strengthen the research project,” he said.
Prof. Ortuanya noted that the European Union and other partners were only supporting Nigeria’s agricultural development efforts, adding that UNN remains the pilot centre for the programme, with more centres expected to emerge across Africa.
Also speaking, Professor of Agriculture and Economics at UNN and AgriDi project team leader, Prof. Antonia Achike, revealed that the team had developed a digital application designed to support rice farming, especially during dry seasons across Nigeria and Africa.
She confirmed that the technology had been tested successfully in the field.
She expressed concern that despite 65 percent of Nigerians being engaged in agriculture, hunger persists.
She referenced the Kampala Declaration, which mandates African governments to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture, while Nigeria currently allocates only 8 percent.
Prof. Achike said the team was reviewing achievements recorded in the last 15 months with the aim of attracting more support from international partners and all levels of government, noting that such backing would help scale up the positive results already seen in other pilot programmes.
Kaduna State has reinforced its position as one of Nigeria’s most reform-driven subnational governments, emerging as the second-best performing state in the 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Report released by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
According to the report, Kaduna achieved a score of 65.1%, reflecting significant progress in areas such as infrastructure quality, digital connectivity, land administration, power reliability, skilled labour readiness, taxation, trade logistics, and commercial justice.
The report assessed states across 16 indicators and 36 sub-metrics, highlighting best practices and areas for immediate improvement.
Among the top five, Lagos State led with 85.6%, followed by Kaduna, with Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Ogun completing the ranking with 62.7%, 61.0%, and 59.9% respectively.
Speaking on the ranking, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, quoted Governor Uba Sani as describing the achievement as a “testament to Kaduna State’s commitment to creating a transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly environment.”
The Governor reportedly commended the state’s agencies for their dedication to implementing reforms that have positioned Kaduna as a leading destination for business and economic growth.
PEBEC also identified five priority reforms for states, including establishing investor aftercare systems, enhancing MSME credit access, harmonizing interstate trade rules, upgrading commercial justice systems, and improving electricity reliability in industrial clusters—reforms that align closely with Kaduna’s ongoing business-enabling initiatives.
The Council described the 2025 reports as vital tools for guiding policy decisions, attracting investments, and boosting long-term economic competitiveness, particularly through the $750 million State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.
Established in July 2016 and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, PEBEC continues to drive reforms aimed at removing bureaucratic barriers and strengthening Nigeria’s business climate.
Kaduna’s ranking underscores the state’s commitment to sustained reform, economic growth, and the creation of an enabling environment for investors.
Member representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chimaobi Atu, has expressed strong confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security reforms will soon bring an end to Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity crisis.
Atu stated this in Enugu on Saturday during the 2025 Yoruba Cultural Day celebration, where he was honoured with an award of recognition by the Yoruba Community in the state.
The lawmaker said the House of Representatives was optimistic that Nigeria’s security situation was nearing a turning point, owing to President Tinubu’s decisive reforms.
“We in the House of Representatives believe that very soon, the security challenges facing Nigeria will be a thing of the past. Tinubu is already doing great.
“We believe that very soon, the security challenges in Nigeria will be a thing of the past. Tinubu is already doing great,” he declared.
The lawmaker specifically praised the President for appointing former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as minister responsible for key security responsibilities, noting that the move reflected the President’s determination to restore peace.
“His appointment of General Musa and the clear plans outlined to end the insecurity crisis show that the President is putting the right people in the right positions. I want to commend him for his will in appointing the right man for that office,” Atu said.
He added that with ongoing reforms, coordinated security strategies, and stronger inter-agency collaboration, Nigerians should expect a significant decline in nationwide security breaches.
Speaking earlier after receiving the award, the lawmaker said he was deeply moved by the recognition and praised the Yoruba Community for its contributions to cultural harmony, unity, and national development.
“I am happy and truly overwhelmed by this award from the Yoruba Community in Enugu,” he said. “The Yoruba have contributed immensely to the culture and unity of Nigeria, just like their Igbo counterparts. Their leadership and values continue to enrich our country.”
Atu commended the community’s investments in youth empowerment, particularly the scholarship scheme, describing them as seeds being planted for future national leaders.
“Like the Yoruba community, we are also offering scholarships. What you have sown here is a seed for future leaders of our great nation,” he added.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday held its ward congress across Osun State to elect delegates for the December 13, 2025, governorship primary election.
In a statement, APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal dismissed rumours that the ward congress was not taking place, saying, “I directed the suspension of the activities of our party” is false.
He clarified, “It wasn’t true that I issued any statement, let alone any directive concerning today’s state-wide activities of our party. The esteemed members of our party should disregard the composition aimed at causing confusion in our party.”
Lawal confirmed that the delegate elections are proceeding across the state’s 332 wards, with five delegates elected per ward, in line with the timetable released by the party’s national headquarters.
