CEO and Founder of Lifecard International Investment Limited, Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu, has been crowned the top African real estate investment partner to Azizi Developments, Dubai’s renowned luxury property developer.
“This is not just about numbers, it’s about transforming lives,” she said. “In six months, we’ve proven that strategic, faith-driven, and client-centered investment advisory can deliver extraordinary results.” She emphasised
Lifecard’s ascent to the No. 1 spot in just six months is a remarkable feat, facilitating record-breaking offshore investments into Dubai’s booming market.
The partnership, which gained momentum with Lifecard’s high-profile launch of offices in Dubai and exclusive events in Lagos, has positioned Grace Ofure as a key player in the African real estate market.
Azizi Developments’ representatives praised Lifecard’s reach, credibility and execution, noting Grace Ofure’s exceptional prowess as a real estate investment strategist.
“We’re making Dubai real estate accessible, profitable, and secure for Africans everywhere,” Ofure said.
Industry insiders hail the partnership as a “game-changer” for African investors seeking stable, appreciating assets in hard currency.
With a mission to empower Africans toward financial independence and legacy building, Ofure’s guidance has become the go to for serious investors.
Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has commended the Chairman of EIB Group, Dr Bright Echefu, for building one of the country’s most advanced private-sector security and technology hubs, following a high-level visit to the Group’s facilities in Kuje and Idu, Abuja.
The visit, aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and indigenous technology firms, provided Air Marshal Aneke with firsthand insight into EIB Group’s expanding role in national security, intelligence gathering and defence innovation.
Dr Bright Echefu personally received the Air Chief alongside senior management executives, leading a comprehensive tour of critical operational units and ongoing projects across the Group’s subsidiaries.
During the inspection, the delegation reviewed security and surveillance operations at EIB Stratoc, forensic intelligence and data analysis solutions at Giga Forensics, and unmanned aerial systems manufacturing at Briech UAS. At Briech, officials were briefed on the production and deployment of surveillance and payload drones designed for reconnaissance, monitoring and operational support.
The delegation also visited Poctova, EIB Group’s fashion and protective-wear subsidiary, where ballistic protective gear and functional apparel are locally produced to meet security and civilian needs.
Speaking at the end of the tour, Air Marshal Aneke described the level of innovation developed under Dr Bright Echefu’s leadership as “impressive,” noting that the technologies on display demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capacity to deliver world-class defence and security solutions.
“This visit has exposed us to capabilities that can significantly support the Nigerian Air Force,” he said. “We intend to return for deeper engagements to explore areas of collaboration and technology integration.”
The Air Chief further praised EIB Group’s sustained investment in infrastructure, research and human capital development, stressing that indigenous technology companies like those led by Dr Bright Echefu remain central to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and reducing dependence on foreign systems.
Under the leadership of Dr Bright Echefu, EIB Group has emerged as a key player in Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and innovation ecosystem, positioning itself as a strategic partner in the country’s quest for self-reliance, security advancement and sustainable development.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded more than seven million registrations in its ongoing nationwide electronic membership registration exercise.
The ruling party has also extended the exercise, initially scheduled to end on Saturday, January 31, 2026, to February 8, 2026, citing overwhelming demand and strong participation from both prospective and existing members.
National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Abuja following the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Morka said the decision to extend the registration window was taken in response to sustained appeals from party stakeholders across the country, reflecting heightened interest in the ongoing membership drive.
According to Morka, “With respect to the e-registration, there’s no complicated explanation. We just want more members to register,” adding that, “the extension was in response to the clamor by enthusiastic members who are hoping to register, to afford them more time.
“As of now, we have crossed the mark of 7 million… By the grace of God, by the time we are closing on the 8th of February, we should have crossed the mark of 12.5 million.”
Reaffirming that the primary aim of the e-registration was part of the party’s push to digitize it’s records, ensure data integrity, promote financial inclusion, and align with national legal standards.
He noted that the party has become the first major political party in Nigeria to fully digitize its membership register, setting a precedent for internal democracy and modernization.
Applauding the registration exercise as “tremendouslysuccessful”, the APC national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, maintained that the requests for extension of the exercise came from various stakeholders, including state-level leaders and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
Basiru said, “The e-registration has been tremendously successful. We have received requests from many states that there are so many members that are still eager to register… Based on that request, particularly by the body of the Governors Forum at the meeting we held with them the day before yesterday, that was why the National Working Committee decided to extend.”
Morka also announced that Ward Congresses will hold on Wednesday, 18th February 2026, while the National Convention is now scheduled to be held on 27th–28th March 2026.
He added that Osun and Ekiti States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are excluded from scheduled Congresses due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded due to the subsisting tenure the current executive committees of the Party in the State.
The party spokesman further said that details on the adjusted Congress and National Convention timetable and schedule of activities and composition of the National Convention Planning Committee will be announced on Monday.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed confidence that Northern Nigeria will strongly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Ganduje said those assuming the region would not vote for Tinubu are mistaken, adding that the North is poised to deliver overwhelming support for the president.
The immediate past governor of Kano State also stated that he sees no better candidate from Southern Nigeria to lead the country beyond 2027 than Tinubu.
He made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF), representing the 19 northern states, who paid him a courtesy visit and decorated him as the Forum’s patron.
Ganduje, who currently serves as Board Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), described Tinubu as a seasoned politician and said Nigeria is fortunate to have him as president.
He said, “Pertaining to the next election in 2027, those that are nursing or thinking otherwise that the North will vote another candidate other than Asiwaju are making a big mistake.
“This is the first time Nigeria as a nation is lucky to have a politician as president. His constituency is politics. His upbringing is politics because he believes in the unity of this country. In fact, he struggled. He was even in exile for democracy to survive in Nigeria.
“So there is no better person to be elected in 2027 than Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Ganduje revealed that there was an agreement even before the election of the late President Muhammadu Buhari that after eight years of his government, a Southern would emerge.
“Asiwaju has only been there for less than four years now, and we have seen the measures the reforms that he undertook. The reforms that he introduced in order to improve the social economic development of this country.”
Highlighting some of the bold reforms of Tinubu’s administration, the former Kano governor said, “All the candidates who contested with him in 2023 promised to remove fuel subsidy, even the previous government promised to remove the subsidy but nobody was bold enough to do that job but Asiwaju has succeeded in removing the subsidy and now all the state Governors, irrespective of their political leaning, they believe they are getting more and more funds for the development of their respective states.
“He did not say that he removed subsidy because he wanted to improve the APC governors, but he did it for the nation. So, this president has undertaken measures that will improve the economy of this country,” Ganduje said.
Assuring leaders of NNYLF of his support, Ganduje commended them for their boldness not only to mobilise votes for the re-election of Asiwaju but also to raise money to purchase his nomination forms.
“There’s no better commitment than this, you are contributing funds, you are also contributing your brain, you are contributing your energy and you are contributing your time to ensure the re-election of Asiwaju, I have to thank you for this.”
National Leader of NNYLF, Muhammad Gamji, who described Ganduje as a role model, added that as a governor, Ganduje made him one of the most popular youth leader through his support.
“We are here to tell you that wherever you focus, that’s where we go with you. We have all agreed to support the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by massively mobilizing all the youths in the 19 Northern states and raising funds by his nomination form ahead of the election.
“We have to do this because some people are insinuating that the North will not vote for Asiwaju in 2027, but that’s a lie because nobody has supported us in the North like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,”Gamji declared.
The Forum used the opportunity to decorate Ganduje as the Grand Patron of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum.
The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Chief Imam of Ummu Hanni Adigun Memorial Central Mosque in the Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo, alongside three other individuals, following the death of a car painter, Najeem Hammed, after an incident involving worshippers.
The situation triggered tension on Friday, as family members of the deceased disrupted Jumu’ah prayers at the mosque in protest over the incident.
Najeem, whose workshop is located in the Jaye area of Osogbo, reportedly went to the mosque around 6 a.m. for early morning prayers when an altercation occurred.
A source in the vicinity of the mosque, who requested anonymity, told The Nation that a disagreement arose after the prayer session while the Imam was delivering a sermon, leading to a confrontation between Najeem and members of the congregation.
The source said the situation escalated, resulting in Najeem being taken outside the mosque premises, where he sustained injuries.
Police officers from the Ataoja Divisional Police Station were alerted and reportedly conveyed him from the scene, but he was later confirmed dead.
When The Nation visited the mosque around 1 p.m., relatives of the deceased were seen protesting at the entrance, insisting that prayers should not hold following the incident.
The protest disrupted activities at the mosque, prompting police operatives to intervene and take the Chief Imam into custody for questioning.
Subsequently, some protesters occupied the mosque entrance, preventing worshippers from gaining access and warning against any attempt to resume prayer activities.
A family member of the deceased, identified as Nurudeen, said Najeem had planned to travel to Ibadan but decided to observe Subuhi prayers at the mosque, where the confrontation later occurred.
Police authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“When we called to ask about his journey a policeman picked up the call and told us that he had altercation with some people and was held at Ataoja police station. When we got there that was when we realised that he was dead.”
Bloodstains were sighted at the fence of the mosques and the plank of wood in front of the mosque.
When contacted the Osun State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the incident.
He clarified that the victim was not attacked inside the Mosque but around it. We have arrested the Imam and three others connected to the incident. Further investigation has been launched to unravel the actual cause of the incident.
According to him, The incident happened this morning around after 6AM. No suspect has been arrested but information is on top gear to get those that perpetrated this evil act arrested. The DPO and other Tactical Team have been deployed to maintain law and order. The corpse has been deposited at Osun State Teaching Hospital.”
Ojelabi insisted that the deceased was mobbed around the Mosque and not actually inside the Mosque.
…Police boss: We won’t tolerate acts of insurrection in Lagos
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh, has reassurred traders of Owode Onirin Spareparts Market of his commitment to justice on the demolition of their shops by a suspected landgrabber last August.
He gave the assurance during a meeting with the traders at the market on Friday afternoon where he received a rousing welcome.
Addressing concerns about the Owode Onirin market, the commissioner clarified that structures demolished in the area were not pulled down by the Lagos State Government but by a land grabber, who has since been arrested.
He said the suspect illegally brought in police officers from outside Lagos State in violation of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against protecting land grabbers.
Those officers, he said, have been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department and are undergoing disciplinary procedures, alongside the land grabber, over deaths linked to the incident.
Since August 27, described as a tragic day for the community, CP Jimoh said the police have maintained constant engagement with traders and provided round-the-clock security to ensure business activities continue safely.
He said the command has ensured all necessary evidence to prosecute the suspect were secured, adding that reports of a ballistic test conducted was being expected.
Speaking on the protest that erupted on Wednesday in Ikeja which led to the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd, the CP insisted that the demonstration veered into violence and posed serious risks to public safety.
He accused the organisers of acts of insurrection, alleging that all attempts to make them understand it was unacceptable to block Awolowo Road for several hours, even after they had been addressed by lawmakers, proved abortive.
Acknowledging that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are essential to democracy, he noted that the Ikeja protest crossed a red line when organisers allegedly removed schoolchildren from classrooms and attempted to coerce them into joining the march.
According to him, some of the children, still in school uniforms, were too young to participate in a long trek from the Ikeja Underbridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Police, he said, insisted on their immediate withdrawal and safe return to school, describing the act as dangerous and contrary to international child-protection standards.
The commissioner also raised concern over the display of a coffin at the protest ground, describing it as a symbol of violence rather than peaceful dissent. He said the coffin was recovered from a group led by Taiwo Hassan and Daley Frank, whom he identified as organisers of the protest.
Despite provocation, insults and harassment directed at officers, Jimoh said the police exercised restraint and acted within the law.
He disclosed that three separate groups participated in the protest, two of which had no links to Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki or Makoko.
These groups, he alleged, mobilised people off the streets with stipends and exposed them to danger. By contrast, he said the Makoko community had a long history of peaceful engagement with government and the police, and had consistently informed security agencies ahead of protests.
Jimoh noted that unverified claims that children were killed during the protest were false and used to incite unrest, stressing that no families or parents of alleged victims were ever presented.
On the use of tear gas to disperse protesters, the commissioner said the decision was taken only after highways were blocked for over six hours, with reports of medical emergencies, stranded travellers and people fainting in traffic.
He stressed that no firearm was discharged during the operation.
CP Jimoh confirmed that Taiwo Hassan and Dale Frank were arrested for criminal acts committed in the presence of police officers and were charged to court within the constitutionally stipulated time.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to human rights, he said peaceful and lawful protests would always receive police protection, warning traders against being misled by individuals with ulterior motives.
He added that police deployment in Owode Onirin market has been doubled, while urging civil society organisations and the media to verify facts before amplifying claims capable of disrupting public order.
Appreciating the CP for standing by them, the traders said they pulled back from the protest after they realised its organisers had ulterior motives.
According to them, they have been going to the State House of Assembly to register their grievances over the demolition of their shops and killing of their colleagues since August and have always received police protection.
“This time around, we received an invitation that all those whose markets were demolished in Lagos should come for a protest to the State House of Assembly. That’s why our people joined the protest. But on getting there, we saw it was something else. We had to draw back because we do not have any issue against the police. All we want is justice,” said one of the traders who claimed his shop was among those demolished.
Chairman of the Traders’ Association thanked the CP for always being there for them, nothing that he had visited the place thrice since the August incident.
He also confirmed that the traders were not fighting the police nor the state government, adding that they only want justice for their dead colleagues and those who lost sources of livelihoods.
The Bauchi State Economic Council has approved the payment of monthly stipends to Imams and Pastors across the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed presided over the council meeting which was held on Friday, with top officials from the finance and revenue sectors in attendance.
Briefing journalists, the Head of Civil Service, Barri. Mohammed Sani Umar, said the approval covers Imams of Juma’at mosques and clerics of various Christian denominations, adding that the payments will be made without discrimination.
He said the government is working out the financial implications to ensure smooth implementation of the policy.
Umar also disclosed that the council approved the commencement of salary payments to newly appointed Emirs and District Heads, noting that adequate cash flow has been provided.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s Chief Economic Adviser, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, said the council reviewed the state’s salary administration and uncovered over 3,000 ghost workers.
He said the payroll audit, carried out with Onyx Investment Advisory Limited, saved the state more than ₦4.16 billion.
Haruna added that the state government took over salary payments in August 2024, after which complaints over salary issues ceased.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ondo State will commence on Monday as part of efforts to capture more eligible voters ahead of future elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Akure.
Mrs Babalola said the first phase of the exercise, which was held between August 25 and December 10, 2025, recorded a total of 35,040 registrations across the state.
She explained that the new phase was designed to improve access to registration, particularly for residents in hard-to-reach areas and communities located far from existing registration centres.
According to her, INEC has approved the rotation of the Voter Enrolment Device (VED) across all the 203 Registration Areas spread across the 18 local government areas of the state to ensure wider coverage.
“The rotation of the devices will last for 50 days, from February 2 to April 10, 2026, excluding weekends and public holidays,” she said.
The REC added that a detailed schedule of the movement of the devices had been prepared and made available at all INEC local government offices to guide prospective registrants.
Providing a breakdown of the first phase, Babalola noted that the exercise produced 18,311 fresh registrations, including 177 persons with disabilities.
She added that 9,501 voters applied for transfers, while 2,399 requests were made for corrections of personal details.
She called on all eligible residents who are yet to register, especially those in remote and underserved communities, to take advantage of the exercise.
Babalola, however, advised members of the public to contact INEC offices or designated help lines for further information and clarification regarding the registration process.
The Senate has scheduled March 17, 2026, for the final consideration and passage of the N58.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, unveiling an accelerated legislative timetable to ensure the timely approval of the national budget.
The decision was reached in Abuja on Friday during a special session of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which also outlined a rigorous review schedule for standing committees to scrutinise the budget estimates.
According to the timetable, budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at the committee level will run from February 2 to February 13.
To promote transparency and public engagement, the committee has fixed a public hearing on the budget proposal for Monday, February 9, 2026.
At the session, Professor Wasiu Adeoye of the University of Lagos is expected to present an analysis of the macroeconomic projections and fiscal assumptions underpinning the budget.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), said the structured timeline is aimed at ensuring a comprehensive yet efficient review process that would enable the National Assembly to pass the budget early in the year.
He disclosed that February 16 to 23 has been designated for the submission of reports on budget defence by chairmen of standing committees.
The Appropriations Committee will thereafter harmonise the submissions and present a consolidated report to the Senate on March 17.
As part of the review framework, the committee has also scheduled an interactive session with key Federal Government economic managers for Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Expected to attend are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Olawale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
Adeola told committee members that the Senate leadership had initially pushed for passage of the budget by March 12, but agreed to grant an additional one week to allow for more meticulous scrutiny.
According to him, hard copies of the 2026 budget estimates have been printed and distributed to chairmen and members of the various standing committees to facilitate detailed examination of the proposals.
The timetable was formally adopted by the committee following a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and seconded by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).
With the schedule now in place, the Senate is set to commence a multi-layered review process involving committee-level defences, public input and high-level engagement with top government economic officials, all aimed at delivering a frontloaded and implementable 2026 budget.
The National Pension Commission (PenCom), in partnership with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), is set to launch a self-service online data recapture application known as the Data Recapture Self-Service Platform (PENCAP), allowing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to update their personal records remotely without visiting their PFAs.
In a statement issued by the Commission, PenCom said PENCAP targets RSA holders who joined the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) on or before July 1, 2019, and have not completed the data recapture process. The platform is scheduled to go live on February 1, 2026.
According to the Commission, the initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening data integrity, improving service delivery, and modernising pension administration through responsible digitalisation.
PenCom explained that accurate and up-to-date contributor data is critical to the efficient management of retirement savings under the CPS. Over time, inconsistencies linked to legacy records and incomplete documentation have created challenges in verification and benefits processing.
PENCAP is designed to address these issues by providing a secure and convenient channel for contributors to update their records.
By enhancing the quality and reliability of RSA data across PFAs, the platform is expected to accelerate benefit processing, streamline verification exercises, and improve overall service delivery for contributors.
The Commission noted that the Data Recapture Exercise (DRE) began in August 2019 for both active contributors and retirees, in line with the Federal Government’s directive for data-generating organisations to harmonise their records with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The exercise also supports the creation of a credible national database of RSA holders, using the National Identification Number (NIN) as a unique identifier.
To support this objective, PenCom developed and deployed an Enhanced Contributor Registration System (ECRS), integrated with the NIMC database to verify the identity of individuals registering under the CPS and existing RSA holders yet to complete recapture. Previously, contributors were required to visit PFAs physically, a process that has left many eligible RSA holders unrecaptured for more than six years.
Under the new self-service model, the recapture process will be fully online. RSA holders will need a smartphone, computer, or similar device with a camera and internet access to enable live image capture. Contributors can access the portal at https://pensionrecap.pencom.gov.ng/ and create a secure user profile using a personal email address.
“Contributors will then complete the online Data Recapture Form and, where applicable, upload supporting documents to validate requested updates. The process also involves biometric verification through live facial capture and the provision of a digital signature to confirm authenticity.
“Processing, Validation and Notifications
Following submission, the contributor’s PFA reviews the application and takes appropriate action within the defined processing period. Throughout this stage, RSA holders receive email notifications acknowledging receipt of their request and providing updates on approval or rejection, including reasons where applicable. This ensures transparency, accountability, and continuous communication.
“The rollout of PENCAP, aims to speed up the Data recapture process which has been ongoing since the launch of the ECRS but without significant progress. By providing the self-service option, it is expected that more RSA holders will be encouraged to participate due to its convenience. Importance of Compliance for RSA Holders RSA holders who enrolled on or before 1 July 2019 and are yet to undergo recapture are required to take advantage of the online window to confirm and update their records.
“This is a necessary step to migrate their date onto the ECRS, which uniquely identifies RSA holders via their National Identification Number (NIN). Completion of the data recapture exercise is also essential for participation in the Retiree Enrolment and Verification Exercise and for accessing key pension transactions.
“These include processing of retirement benefits, eligibility to utilise part of RSA balances as equity contribution for residential mortgages, withdrawal temporary job loss, and the transfer of RSAs between PFAs. Eligible RSA holders who fail to complete the data recapture will not be able to access any of the aforementioned services”.
