The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Bende Federal Constituency lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has stated that he is yet to decide whether or not to contest the 2027 Abia State governorship election.
Kalu made the disclosure while addressing APC members and supporters during a Town Hall meeting and distribution of food items in his hometown in Bende Local Government Area.
He also criticised sustained social media attacks against him, which he alleged were sponsored by certain individuals in the state.
The deputy Speaker emphasized that his current focus is on building grassroots support and mobilizing foot soldiers for President Bola Tinubu.
He condemned some politicians lobbying the President while remaining in opposition parties.
“I am consulting with party stakeholders at both state and national levels and will announce my intentions once I have their approval to run for governorship,” Kalu said.
He urged anyone genuinely committed to delivering President Tinubu in Abia in 2027 to join APC and work within the party, rather than operating from the sidelines.
Kalu also extended an invitation to Governor Alex Otti to join APC, assuring him of full support from Abia APC members if he switches allegiance. “If you want to work for the President, join APC. The President will not leave APC to support non-APC members,” he said.
He added that the APC grassroots structures he is establishing across Abia would ensure total victory for President Tinubu in the state.
Kalu reiterated that he has not formally declared his governorship ambition, saying he is still consulting, listening to the national leader of APC, and “waiting for the signal” to make a decision.
Ms Esther Oladimeji, Curator of the Hakeem Shitta Photo and Cultural Archive (HSPACA), has urged Nigeria to urgently preserve its arts and cultural heritage, describing documentation as critical to national memory, identity and global relevance.
Oladimeji, in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Lagos, highlighted the immense historical value of the Hakeem Shitta Archive, which documents Nigeria’s cultural, political and social life between 1981 and 1995.
She described the late Hakeem Shitta as an artist, photojournalist and cultural archivist whose work predated digital media and social platforms, capturing Nigeria’s artistic renaissance and political transitions before the internet age.
“Between 1981 and 1995, Hakeem Shitta meticulously documented Nigeria’s cultural evolution. His archive is a living record of who we were before the age of social media,” Oladimeji said.
According to her, the archive covers 180 theatre productions, 81 concerts, 67 exhibitions and 326 human-interest situations, including festivals, regattas, everyday street life and visual documentation of the 1993 presidential election period.
“HSPACA contains over 6,000 images of Nigerian poets, actors, dramatists, visual artists, dancers, filmmakers, essayists, and journalists.
“The archive serves as a crucial historical record of Nigeria’s creative memory, meticulously documenting the evolution of various artists and intellectuals over several decades.
“It is important to understand the specific, high-value offerings it has today in 2025.
“Based on the official HSPACA records, the archive is not just a collection of “old photos” but a foundational piece of Nigeria’s creative memory,” Oladimeji said.
Oladimeji called on government institutions, scholars and researchers within and outside the country to network and collaborate with the archive to preserve history in Nigeria’s arts and culture.
She said that HSPACA specifically offered over 6,000 Exclusive Cultural Portraits.
According to her, this is a vast library documenting every stage of evolution for Nigeria’s most accomplished poets, actors, musicians, and intellectuals—from their “breakthrough” moments to their educational background.
“Beyond photos, it preserves original stage posters, rare newspaper clippings (including Arts Illustrated Weekly), and event programmes that provide context photos alone cannot.
“The archive contains Hakeem Shitta’s own hand-drawn art and paintings, which capture everyday Nigerian life and cultural imagination.
“As a “Go-To” Research Portal, it is designed as a centralised library for curators, filmmakers, and scholars to source verified historical data for productions and exhibitions,” she said.
According to her, HSPACA, is a functional necessity rather than a passive museum:
Oladimeji said, “In 2025, with the global rise of African cinema and documentaries, filmmakers need authentic visual history.
“Government and producers should use HSPACA to ensure historical accuracy in their sets and stories
“Universities to make the archive a primary source for African Studies and Art History. When it becomes a required reference for students, it becomes a “must-have” tool.”
Speaking on digital experience versus static viewing, the curator said that the archive offers a searchable collaboration and access portal.
“It is a tool that researchers and creative agencies can actively seek out to build their own projects,” she said.
On heritage accountability, the curator said that the archive was to safeguard against the loss of history.
“The archive is an active resource for creators, it is not merely a story in the news but the tool people use to make the news,” she said.
On theatre and performance, Oladimeji said Shitta documented defining moments at the National Theatre and other major stages across Nigeria, preserving productions that would otherwise have disappeared.
She listed productions such as Kongi’s Harvest, The Lion and the Jewel and The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka, as well as Kurunmi and The Gods Are Not to Blame by Ola Rotimi.
Other documented works include Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland, Midnight Hotel by Zulu Sofola, Moremi, Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare, and Things Fall Apart adapted from Chinua Achebe’s novel.
According to her, The King Must Dance Naked by Femi Osofisan was also captured, with over 50 major productions spanning indigenous, modern and international theatre preserved in the archive.
On music, Oladimeji said Shitta documented major concerts featuring Nigerian icons such as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters, KWAM1, Queen Salawa Abeni and Christy Essien-Igbokwe.
She added that Evi-Edna Ogholi, Majek Fashek, Charley Boy, Tunji Oyelana, Bala Miller, Kokoro and Tony Okoroji were also extensively documented.
According to Oladimeji, the archive includes international artistes such as Dizzy Gillespie, Burning Spear, King Yellowman, Miriam Makeba, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood.
On literature and intellectual life, she said the archive holds rare images of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, John Pepper Clark, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Cyprian Ekwensi, Ola Rotimi, Femi Osofisan and Biyi Bandele Thomas.
She said activists and scholars such as Tai Solarin, Gani Fawehinmi, Zulu Sofola and Uche Chukwumerije were also documented, alongside visual artists including Ben Enwonwu and Abayomi Barber.
Oladimeji said theatre and film pioneers captured include Hubert Ogunde, Baba Sala, Chief Zebrudaya, James Iroha and Jagua, while Nollywood trailblazers such as Jide Kosoko, Liz Benson, RMD, Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs were featured.
She added that filmmakers Tunde Kelani, Tunde Oloyede and Segun Olusola, as well as media and cultural promoters like May Ellen Ezekiel and Ben Murray-Bruce, were part of the archive.
On politics, Oladimeji said the archive captured national figures including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, Augustus Aikhomu, Ebitu Ukiwe and former Lagos Governor Lateef Jakande.
She said Shitta also documented culturally significant funerals, including those of Orlando Martins, Nigeria’s first internationally renowned actor, and Hubert Ogunde, regarded as the father of Nigerian theatre.
According to Oladimeji, the HSPACA serves as a primary historical source, preserving the golden age of Nigerian theatre, the rise of Afrobeat and highlife, and the country’s intellectual and political struggles.
She said Shitta meticulously labelled each photograph with dates, venues, credits and contextual notes, providing scholars with verified data for biographies, theses, exhibitions and cultural studies.
Describing HSPACA as an irreplaceable national treasure, she urged federal and state ministries of arts and culture to collaborate in preserving what she said does not exist anywhere else in the world.
Oladimeji advised journalists and photographers to emulate Shitta’s discipline, warning that undocumented work would be lost forever, reinforcing why African histories are often dismissed globally.
She said Shitta continued documenting despite multiple brain surgeries, producing artists’ directories even on his sickbed and preserving what would have been lost in Nigeria’s cultural history.
Oladimeji recalled that the prize for news photography at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME)—Africa’s longest-running media awards program—is named the Hakeem Shitta Memorial Prize for News Photography.
This honor reflects his immense legacy as a documenter of Nigeria’s arts and culture, a role so significant that the iREP International Documentary Film Festival in 2017 officially described him as Nigeria’s “Alternative Archive.”
“Culture is transient. What we have must be cherished, documented and preserved for future generations,” Oladimeji said.
The Southeast Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA) has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to distribute Christmas food items and palliatives to beneficiaries in Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states.
The food items, including rice, garri, salt, and cash, were initially distributed to over 10,000 homes across the 27 LGAs in Imo State.
The National Coordinator of SERHA, Ambassador Belusochukwu Enwere, disclosed this in Owerri, adding that similar exercises would be carried out in Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, and Abia states.
Enwere expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his generosity in supporting the organisation to ensure that citizens from Southeast benefit from the food items, regardless of party affiliation.
“We want to thank the President for his good works and his generosity. We are grateful Mr. President. If you thank a person for the good thing he has done, he will do more next time.
“We are indeed happy for what the President has done for Ndigbo and Southeast in particular at this Christmas festival regardless of party affiliation. God will continue to bless the president, we have also seen other initiatives he has brought to Nigeria,” he said.
Enwere cited some of President Tinubu’s achievements, saying they include economic reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and termination of multiple foreign exchange systems that had impeded economic development.
He also mentioned infrastructure development, highlighting ongoing projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Express Way, with over 440 road projects nationwide.
The President’s initiatives have led to the creation of 240,000 jobs through 10 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as the launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) and National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP). In healthcare, over ₦250 billion has been allocated to revamp primary healthcare centres nationwide.
On security, Enwere noted that over 13,500 terrorists have been eliminated through sustained military campaigns. The President’s administration has also increased oil production to 1.61 million barrels per day, with the “Project One Million Barrels” initiative driving recovery in the upstream sector. Additionally, the government has secured over $50 billion in new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments.
Enwere called on religious organizations, NGOs, CSOs, student unions, youths, women, and men to come together to support President Tinubu’s reelection bid,
“We are confident that in his second term, he will do more,” he said, urging all stakeholders to rally behind the president.”
The national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has raised concerns over what he described as political interference in Nigeria’s military operations.
He warned that countermanding battlefield decisions without clear constitutional authority poses grave dangers to national security.
Speaking during a televised interview on Nigeria’s security situation, Gabam argued that the President bears ultimate responsibility for both kinetic and non-kinetic security strategies, stressing that no individual or institution has the constitutional power to override presidential directives to the military.
According to him, reports of troops being ordered to stand down at critical moments sometimes when they were on the verge of reclaiming territory or making strategic arrests are deeply troubling and require explanation at the highest level.
He said, “We have seen communications, though unofficial, suggesting that the military had made serious inroads and were about to record major successes, only for them to receive instructions to withdraw. The question is: who has the authority to give such an order apart from the President? If anyone else can countermand a presidential directive, then we are in a very dangerous situation.”
He referenced unresolved controversies surrounding the withdrawal of troops in parts of Kebbi State during incidents involving mass kidnappings, noting that despite debates at the National Assembly and complaints by state authorities, there has been no official clarification on who ordered the military to leave those locations.
Gabam insisted that Nigeria has the capacity to defeat non-state armed groups if decisive leadership is exercised, citing past administrations where firm presidential directives led to swift security responses.
He said, “When a president gives a direct order on security, it is final. No minister, no appointee, not even the Chief of Defence Staff can counter that order without reverting to the President. That chain of command must be respected.”
Gabam urged the Federal Government to revive security negotiations with Washington, recalling that under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria successfully negotiated the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft following discussions with then U.S. President Donald Trump.
“There is no reason why that level of understanding cannot be restored,” he said, adding that Nigeria should also explore partnerships with other technologically advanced countries.
Turning to regional security, Gabam expressed concern over instability in the Sahel following the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS, warning that porous borders have allowed armed fighters and weapons to flow into Nigeria.
He warned that Nigeria’s security risks are compounded by political tensions, approaching elections, logistical challenges, poverty, and widespread social frustration.
“You have hungry, angry populations, weaponized poverty, and political crises converging at the same time,” he said. “There must be deliberate efforts to reduce national tension.”
The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has listed a series of measures in the newly enacted tax reform laws which it said were deliberately designed to ease the tax burden on Nigerian airlines.
The Committee made this disclosure on Monday to counter claims that the reforms would trigger steep fare increases and endanger domestic operators.
Chairman of the Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, responded to recent remarks by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, who warned that ticket prices could climb to as high as N1 million once the new tax regime comes into effect.
Oyedele said the Committee, working on behalf of the federal government, had “engaged extensively with airline operators and those engagements are ongoing,” adding that the concerns of industry players were being taken seriously in the ongoing reform process.
According to him, “Contrary to the claim that the new tax laws will hurt the industry, the reform is part of the solution, not the source of the problem.”
He explained that long-standing tax bottlenecks which had fuelled operating costs in the aviation sector were being addressed through the new framework.
He stated, “Several long-standing tax issues driving costs in the sector have been resolved in the new tax laws or are being structurally addressed,” noting that the provisions were crafted to strengthen airlines rather than weaken them.
One of the central components of the reform is the removal of the 10 per cent withholding tax on aircraft leases, which Oyedele described as the biggest tax burden faced by operators.
“The single biggest tax burden on airlines has been the 10 percent withholding tax (WHT) on aircraft leases under the existing law. This has now been removed and replaced with a rate to be determined in a regulation, creating the legal basis for either a full exemption or a significantly lower rate,” he said.
He explained that the previous withholding tax regime inflicted severe cash flow strain on airlines because the tax was non-recoverable.
“To put this in context, on a $50 million aircraft lease, an airline currently pays $5 million in WHT, which is non-recoverable and therefore directly increases operating costs and strains cash flow. Eliminating this burden is a major structural relief for the sector,” he added.
Oyedele also addressed the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) recovery, noting that while the temporary suspension of VAT in 2020 was attractive in principle, it came at a hidden cost to operators who could not claim input VAT on several operational expenses.
Under the new laws, he said, airlines would become fully VAT-neutral, with the ability to claim VAT on imported and locally procured assets, consumables, and services.
“Any VAT paid on imported or locally procured assets, consumables, and services will become fully claimable. Where an airline has excess input VAT, the law mandates a refund within 30 days, supported by a fully funded tax refund account and the option to offset VAT credits against other tax liabilities. This directly reduces cost pressure and improves liquidity,” he said.
He further clarified that exemptions on commercial aircraft, engines and spare parts remain intact. “Existing exemptions on commercial aircraft, engines, and spare parts remain fully in place. There is no reversal or new burden introduced under the tax reforms,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over the impact of VAT on ticket prices, Oyedele said that airline operations operate on thin margins and that the effective impact of a 7.5 per cent VAT — within a VAT-recoverable system — is much lower than feared.
He explained, “Even in a worst-case scenario where VAT were not claimable, the maximum impact would still be 7.5 percent, not the price increases being suggested. That is, a N125,000 ticket becomes not more than N134,375 and a N350,000 ticket not more than N376,250.”
According to him, the new laws also introduce a pathway to reduce corporate income tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, a development expected to benefit airlines and other businesses. He added that several profit-based levies — including Tertiary Education Tax, NASENI, NITDA and Police levies — had been consolidated into a single Development Levy to simplify tax administration and improve certainty.
Oyedele acknowledged the long-standing problem of multiple charges faced by airlines but insisted that these were not created by the new tax reforms.
“The multiplicity of levies imposed on airlines and flight tickets is real, but these charges are not created by the new tax laws. It is therefore incorrect to attribute them to the reform,” he said.
He added that government agencies were working with operators to address these concerns. “The government is actively working with operators and relevant agencies to achieve a lasting solution. Importantly, the tax harmonisation provisions in the new laws mean the situation can only improve, not worsen, from 2026,” he noted.
Overall, Oyedele maintained that “the new tax laws provide a strong legal and policy framework to resolve the long-standing tax challenges in the aviation sector, reduce operating costs for airlines, and ensure minimal impact on passengers.”
His intervention followed concerns raised by Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, who in an interview warned that the domestic aviation sector was under severe financial strain and risked collapse under the new tax regime.
Onyema said the cumulative effect of levies, charges and high borrowing costs had placed airlines under intense pressure. “The Nigerian airlines are heavily overburdened by taxes, levies, and all manner of charges. Just take a ticket of about 350,000. What comes to the airlines is about 81,000 Naira. And people, everybody’s talking about the airlines as if they’re making a kill. It’s not true,” he said.
He criticised what he described as multiple and overlapping deductions, including a mandatory five per cent NCAA charge on every ticket. “We are suffering multiple taxation, multiple charges. For example, the NCAA, five percent for every ticket, mandatorily. That is to NCAA alone. There are so many other charges,” Onyema said.
He argued that the charges weaken demand and contradict international aviation standards, stating that the International Civil Aviation Organisation recommends cost-based fees rather than revenue-driven charges.
“That is, you charge according to the cost of the services you render to the airlines. Who are the ones suffering? The airlines. And that’s why the airlines are not growing,” he said.
Onyema referenced the 2020 tax law which removed customs duties and VAT on aircraft, spare parts and ticket fares, saying it had provided significant relief to operators at the time.
“Now, the tax law of 2020 removed customs duties, removed on imported aircraft and imported aircraft spares and engines, removed VAT on imported aircraft and other spare parts, removed VAT on ticket fares. That is the 2020 Act,” he said.
He warned that reintroducing VAT on aircraft purchases and spare parts — alongside high bank lending rates — could worsen the financial position of airlines. “Funds borrowed from the bank are 30–35 percent. So you bring in spare parts, you pay 7.5% on your spare parts. Ticket fares will hit $1.7 million soon. At 35% we are choking. You don’t do that,” he said.
According to him, the effect would ultimately be passed to passengers. “Because when you take five percent from what we charge, it reduces the demand… With 7.5% on ticket fares, ticket fares will hit $1.7 million soon. If we implement that tax reform, Nigerian airlines will go down in three months,” he warned.
Onyema said the Airline Operators of Nigeria had made presentations to the National Assembly and the tax reform committee to outline the severity of the situation. “We submitted, nobody listened to us. We went to the National Assembly. We addressed them on this issue and they saw reasons with us. They were surprised at the kind of facts we’re bringing out,” he said.
Despite his concerns, Onyema commended the federal government for past interventions, saying, “One thing I like about the government is that they’re listening… because I know so many things we’ve asked them to do and they did it for us.”
Responding to these concerns, Oyedele urged stakeholders to maintain constructive dialogue. “If the current engagement with industry stakeholders is sustained, the remaining non-tax issues will be resolved sooner rather than later. Claims not grounded in fact do not help this process. The new tax laws are not the problem, they are a critical part of the solution,” he said.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Cooperation (NDIC) to show cause why they should not be restrained from taking further actions in relation to the recent revocation of the licences of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order in a ruling on Monday on an ex-parte motion filed by both mortgage institutions, which was moved by their lawyer, Joseph Silas.
The judge declined the applicants’ request and order restraining the respondents, but instead, ordered that the CBN and the NDIC should be put on notice.
Justice Nwite said, “I have listened to the submission of the counsel for the plaintiffs/applicants and I have gone through the affidavit evidence, the exhibit, including the written address.
“I am of the opinion, and I so hold, that the interest of justice will be met by putting the defendants on notice.
“I hereby ordered that the defendant be put on notice to come and show cause why the reliefs sought should not be granted.”
He adjourned till January 5, 2026 for the CBN and NDIC to show cause.
The plaintiffs – Aso Savings, Union Homes, Ridhwan Hamza and Ismaila Adamu – had, in the ex-parte motion, sought two reliefs.
*An order restraining the defendants/respondents from taking further steps on the purported revocation of the operational licence of the first and second plaintiffs (Aso Savings and Union Homes), pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
*An order barring the defendants/respondents from enforcing their unlawful decision in any way, form or manner, against the first and second plaintiffs/applicants, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Silas had, while moving the motion, stated that the CBN did not comply with the condition precedent to the invocation of its power to revoke the operating licence of both mortgage institutions.
He added that the NDIC, without allowing the two mortgage institutions to exhaust their rights of action, moved to curtail such rights by attempting to take over them.
The lawyer added that if the CBN and NDIC were not restrained, they will impose upon the plaintiffs/applicants their unlawful decisions in an irreversible way.
In a supporting affidavit, Hamza, described as a shareholder in Aso Savings, admitted that the institutions had operational challenges, which the CBN was aware of.
Hamza claimed that the CBN, without carrying out any measure to intervene on the failures of the plaintiffs, gave Aso Savings an ultimatum to meet its minimum capital requirement by ensuring that all share reconstruction activities are concluded in a manner that fully address the capital shortfall not later than August 31, 2025.
He said, “I know that notwithstanding the positive updates made to the first defendant/respondent (CBN) by the plaintiffs/applicants on December 16, 2025 in a press release titled, ‘Revocation of the Operational Licenses of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Ple.
”The first defendant/respondent, relying on Section 12 of BOFIA 2020 and Section7.3 of its Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks, revoked the licenses of the plaintiffs/applicants.
“I know that the 1st defendant/respondent grounded its decision on:
*Failure to meet the minimum paid-up share capital requirement for the category of the bank licence granted to the plaintiffs/applicants
*Having insufficient assets to meet its liabilities; being critically undercapitalised with a capital adequacy ratio below the prudential minimum ratio as prescribed by the 1st defendant/respondent; and
*Failure to comply with several directives and obligations imposed upon the plaintiffs/applicants by the 1st defendant/respondent.
He claimed that the CBN was aware of all the steps and progress made by the Aso Savings in raising its minimum capital requirement, with absolute success.
Hamza added that the CBN did not act in public interest when it made the press release revoking the operational license of the two institutions, without following the requirement of Section 34 (4) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.
He claimed that the action of the CBN was arbitrary, rash unreasonable and runs contrary to public policy of developing the Nigerian economy, creating jobs and encouraging investments.
Hamza said the NDIC had sent out messages to Aso Savings’ customers “asking them to fill out an online claims form against the plaintiffs/applicants, even as the law allows the plaintiffs/applicants a window of 30 days to challenge the actions of the 1st defendant/respondent.
He added, “I know that the steps taken by the second defendant/respondent is aimed at extinguishing the right of the plaintiffs/applicants to challenge the actions of the 1st defendant/respondent by immediately commencing liquidation process.
“I know that the plaintiffs/applicants have constitutional rights to be heard fairly and to challenge the actions of the defendants/respondents.”
To mark the conclusion of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, 1inclusion4all, led by British–Nigerian lawyer and global advocate Oluwaseun Ikusika, carried out an inspiring secondary school outreach tour across Kaduna State and Oyo State, reinforcing the power of education in shaping a generation that stands against violence and champions equality.
The outreach reached Government Secondary School (GSS) Ungwan Boro, Kaduna, and Oluyole Extension High School, Oyo, engaging students through interactive discussions on gender equality, leadership, respect, and non-violence.
The sessions encouraged young people to become change agents within their schools and communities, regardless of gender, background, or location.
Speaking during the engagements, Oluwaseun Ikusika explained the intentional choice of states and schools, stating, “Kaduna and Oyo States were deliberately selected to reflect Nigeria’s diversity across regions, cultures, and realities. By engaging young people in both northern and southern Nigeria, we are reinforcing the message that ending violence and promoting equality is a shared national responsibility. This tour is about planting values early and empowering students to become champions of respect, peace, and inclusion in their own communities.”
The initiative reflects 1inclusion4all’s broader mission to advance inclusive education and youth leadership in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, and 16. Founded by Oluwaseun Ikusika, the organisation has reached over 1,000 young people globally and continues to position African-led advocacy at the centre of global conversations.
Oluwaseun Ikusika is widely recognised as a rising global force of her generation, with contributions to the United Nations, international policy platforms, and global media. Her work spans gender justice, child protection, and education across multiple continents.
Speaking on the media strategy behind the initiative, official media and strategic communications consultancy agency, Canwest Media noted, “Our decision to drive this campaign was rooted in the belief that youth-focused advocacy deserves strong, intentional storytelling. Through innovative media strategy and branding, we aimed to amplify the voices of students, spotlight grassroots impact, and position this campaign as a national conversation on education, equality, and non-violence.”
As the 16 Days of Activism concludes, 1inclusion4all reaffirms its commitment to sustained engagement with young people across Nigeria, ensuring that the call to end violence and promote equality continues beyond awareness campaigns.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sympathy to world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua following a tragic auto crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway that claimed two lives and left the boxer injured.
In a message posted on Monday via his verified X handle, @officialABAT, President Tinubu described the incident as an immense tragedy that has cast “a deep shadow on this season,” while offering condolences to Joshua and the bereaved families.
“I extend my deep sympathies to you following the tragic accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which claimed two precious lives and caused you injuries,” the President wrote.
He said he sympathised with Joshua and his family as they bear the emotional weight of the unfortunate incident.
President Tinubu also paid tribute to Joshua’s character and contributions, describing the boxer as a sportsman who has consistently shown courage, discipline and unwavering love for Nigeria, qualities he said have made Joshua a source of national pride.
“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny,” the President added, urging unity and compassion in the face of grief.
He concluded by praying for strength and a speedy recovery for the boxer, while asking for divine repose for the souls of those who lost their lives in the accident.
“May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed,” Tinubu said.
Anthony Joshua, a former unified heavyweight champion with Nigerian roots, is one of the country’s most celebrated global sports figures, and news of the incident has drawn an outpouring of sympathy from fans and public figures alike.
The Ogun State government has expressed deep condolences to the families and associates of the victims of a tragic road accident on Monday involving world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, who narrowly escaped death.
The accident occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in the Makun area of Ogun State, claiming the lives of two individuals. Joshua and three others were reportedly travelling from Lagos to Sagamu when the incident occurred.
Preliminary reports indicate that two male foreign nationals died instantly. Their bodies have been deposited at Livewell Morgue, Sagamu. Joshua and the vehicle’s driver were rescued by security personnel from his convoy and are receiving medical attention in a hospital.
The SUV carrying the passengers reportedly collided with a stationary truck along the expressway. The damaged vehicle has been evacuated to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division (MTD) office, while efforts continue to tow the truck to facilitate a full investigation.
In a statement, Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Ogun State Government, described the incident as “deeply unfortunate and painful,” noting the loss of precious lives and injuries sustained by others.
The government urged motorists to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations, particularly during the festive season when road movement is heavy. Road safety officers and security agencies have been directed to intensify patrols and enforcement to safeguard lives and property.
“Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which the State considers a devastating loss. As we mourn collectively, we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the speedy recovery of the injured. May Almighty God grant the families left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the government stated.
…says appropriation law prioritises infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, human capital development
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has signed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of N524.4 billion into law, following its passage by the State House of Assembly. Tagged the “Budget of Economic Consolation,” the bill was assented at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Akure, on Monday.
The 2026 budget allocates N220.83 billion (42.11%) for recurrent expenditure and N303.58 billion (57.89%) for capital projects, reflecting a strong focus on infrastructure and economic development.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the fiscal plan is strategically designed to drive sustainable growth while ensuring the welfare of Ondo State residents.
The governor said the 2026 budget is a strategic blueprint designed to respond effectively to prevailing national economic realities while positioning the state on a path of self-reliance, resilience and enduring prosperity.
He outlined the sectoral distribution, highlighting the allocations to agricultural development, trade and industry, education, health, information, community development, infrastructural development, environment and sewage management, regional development, administration of justice, public finance, general administration, legislative administration, and energy.
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the budget’s key pillars, emphasising agriculture and food security with targeted investments in modern farming, support for smallholder farmers, and improved access to credit.
He stressed that human capital development and skills enhancement through education, school renovations, teacher training, and digital skills development are also priority.
He added that economic transformation and infrastructure development, including completion and initiation of critical projects in roads, power, and water supply, will create an enabling environment for businesses.
The governor also affirmed the ongoing drive to expand internally generated revenue through technology-driven, transparent tax systems, expansion of the revenue base, and blocking of revenue leakages.
Aiyedatiwa charged all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to align their programmes strictly with the budget provisions and ensure timely, prudent, and efficient execution of projects and services.
Addressing the people of the state, the governor said the budget represents a covenant between government and citizens, a promise of responsible governance and shared prosperity and urged them to take ownership and participate in project implementation.
He lauded members of the Ondo State House of Assembly for their expeditious, meticulous and patriotic consideration of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing their work as a demonstration of “shared vision and a strong partnership in the service of the people who entrusted us with leadership.”
He particularly commended the Chairman and members of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, for the thoroughness and professionalism with which they scrutinised the budget proposal, as well as the management and staff of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget for their technical expertise and tireless efforts in preparing the comprehensive document.
The governor urged all stakeholders to join hands with his administration in ensuring the effective implementation of the budget, so that 2026 becomes a year of consolidation, growth and inclusive development for Ondo State.
Presenting the budget to the governor, Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for transforming the state and giving Akure a capital-like appearance.
He also highlighted the House’s achievements in passing bills regulating community activities, prohibiting kidnapping, registering domestic staff, establishing the State Road Fund, and creating coastal and waterways management agencies.
In his address, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Olaolu Akindolire, provided additional details of the budget, describing it as strategic, realistic and people-focused.
He explained that the budget is projected to include N2.38 billion for federal and non-federal assistance, N7.9 billion for internally generated revenue, and N6.05 billion in grants and aid, while the government intends to borrow N72.92 billion from local and foreign sources, including development partner loans tied to intellectual capital development.
