The Nation Newspaper

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  • ‘Lagos APC ready for 2027’

    ‘Lagos APC ready for 2027’

    •’No room for complacency’ •‘Party will monitor council chairmen’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State is putting its house in order ahead of future polls.

    Cornelius Ojelabi, cleric and chairman of the chapter, said party members are ready for 2027, stressing that the leadership is girding its loins.

    “We are looking inward to have the statistical data of our members through e-registration,” he said, stressing that it is the critical baseline for mobilisation with certainty.

    Tragedy befell the party in 2023 when it lost the presidential election to the structureless Labour Party (LP) adopted by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as platform. Although the poll-confident Lagos APC won other layers of elections, its ego was momentarily deflated.

    For the first time in his entire illustrious political career, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lost his home base to a political foe.

    Having learned very instructive lessons from that inexplicable complacency, the chapter has vowed that the curious mistake will not be repeated in the Centre of Excellence.

    The Lagos APC has been up and doing. The party is more cohesive than before. There is peace in the state executive committee of the party. There is harmony in the State Executive Council chaired by Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu. There is no friction between the party and the government. The Governance Advisory Council (GAC) is playing its gerontocratic roles. The tension between the governor and House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa is fading. The friction among the state lawmakers is fizzling out.

    Ahead of the March party congresses, Ojelabi has informed the vast members that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) has decided that they should obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He said old members are expected to revalidate their party membership and new or those yet to be registered should avail themselves of the opportunity.

    Ojelabi spoke with reporters at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja. With him were the vice chairman, Moshood Mayegun, Secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser Folasade Bakare, Youth Leader Dr. Muritala Seriki, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, former Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Dr. Lateef Ibirogba, and former council chairman, Abiodun Mafe.

    The membership registration, which kicked off across the pre-existing 245 wards,is expected to end on January 31.

    The chairman said: “The registration will be done at the ward level. Possession of PVC is critical to permanent registration. Without PVC, you register temporarily.”

    Urging party members to actively participate in the democratic responsibility,Ojelabi said:”This is our country. We don’t have another country. Let us always remember our president, governors and other leaders in our prayers.”

    Echoing the chairman, the Publicity Secretary  Seye Oladejo, said:”E-registration is imperative because our party has become larger as more members are coming in.”

    To motivate members to participate, the party has introduced some incentives across the wards and local governments.

    Ojelabi urged Nigerians to join the president in creating a peaceful atmosphere, saying:”If there is peace, our leaders will be able to tackle all the challenges.”

    In particular, the party chairman called for support for President Tinubu in his bid to halt insecurity.

    Ojelabi spoke on internal democracy, reconciliation in the chapter and efforts to foster accountability in the local government.

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    He dismissed insinuations that imposition of candidates for elections is rampant in Lagos APC, clarifying that loyalty, dedication and commitment are criteria for the choice of candidates.

    Noting the grievances of some party members arising from local government nomination politics, the  chairman disclosed that reconciliation has been set up preparatory to the congresses.

    He also noted the anxiety on the part of members who anticipate positions in the councils as secretaries, supervisors and other aides, assuring that the announcement would be made soon across the local governments.

    Ojelabi hailed the healthy competitions among council chairmen for performance, saying that it is in the interest of Lagosians. He noted that many of them have justified the confidence reposed in them by the grassroots.

    The chairman reminded the council chairmen that the directive that mandates them to live within the jurisdiction of the council was still in force.

    Ojelabi said the chairmen would be closely monitored to ensure that they maximally deliver democratic dividends to Lagosians.

    He added:”We have set up the Assessment Committee on senatorial basis that will exaamine them as they showcase their performance. Assessment will also be on yearly basis. This is aside from the oversight by the House of Assembly.”

  • ‘Despite 2023 setback, APC can win in Abia’

    ‘Despite 2023 setback, APC can win in Abia’

    Chinenye Anyim was the first All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State. He also served as the party’s first National Vice Chairman for the Southeast. In this interview with Correspondent SUNNY NWANKWO, he speaks on the Alex Otti administration and how the APC can bounce back in the state.

    Are you still active in politics?

    I took a break from politics after being appointed Southeast representative on the National Pension Commission (PenCom). During that time, I was less active in politics, which might have led people to think I had left the scene.

    But there is a proverb in my place that says when the mother hen forbids scratching, what will she use to feed her chicks? Politics has become part of me, to the glory of God. It is not proper for me to say that I have retired from politics at this stage of my life. I have not retired.

    Abia APC is said to be balkanised. Which faction do you belong to?

    Abia APC is not divided. Right now, there is only one APC in the state. People exaggerate when they talk about splits or factions in Abia APC.

    Like every family, there can be misunderstandings. You disagree to agree, and that is healthy in a true democracy. We listen to different views. Where there are dissenting opinions, you sit down and resolve them. That is why people think there is a problem.

    Right now, Abia APC has one chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, and one secretary, K.C. Avoaja. No one else can claim to be the party chairman. That shows there is only one APC in Abia State.

    The APC did not perform well in the 2023 general election. What do you think went wrong?

    In 2023, our governorship candidate was Chief Ikechi Emenike. Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Otti, who is now the governor, ran on the Labour Party (LP) ticket.

    It’s worth noting that before Otti became governor, he was a strong APC member and was well-positioned to become our governorship candidate before Emenike.

    Many factors were involved. The Obi wave in the Southeast had a significant impact, affecting more than just the LP. Also, people like Alex Otti left the APC shortly before the election, taking their supporters with them. We hope these things won’t happen again.

    Some observers say the process that produced the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate hurt the party. Do you agree?

    No selection process makes everyone happy. That’s true in every political party. What matters is maturity. After the primaries, people should put differences aside and work together to win elections.

    In 2015, you and others, such as Donatus Nwankpa and Rochas Okorocha, were mocked for joining the APC. How do you feel today?

    When we started the APC, our opponents mocked us and called us names. Now, many of those same people want to join the party, and some already have. What’s interesting is that our vision has stayed the same. Many who once mocked us now see what we saw years ago. We thank God for how far the party has come.

    Some people feel you have been sidelined despite your contributions to the APC in Abia. Is that true?

    No one has sidelined me, and no one can. People like me can’t be pushed aside.

    There are basic facts critics can’t ignore. I was one of the 89 people who formed the APC. I was the first National Vice Chairman for the Southeast and the first APC governorship candidate in Abia State. After me came Dr. Sampson Ogah and then Chief Ikechi Emenike. So, there’s nothing to sideline.

    What are the chances of the APC winning the Abia governorship election in 2027?

    Our chances are strong, even stronger than before. One tree doesn’t make a forest. With the many political heavyweights now in the Abia APC, we’re not afraid of any election.

    Even with Governor Otti’s incumbency advantage?

    We know incumbency is an advantage, but we’ve also seen incumbents lose re-election.

    Are you still nursing the ambition to govern Abia State?

    As you know, I was the first APC governorship candidate in Abia, and I’m still with the party. Dreams and visions don’t die.

    The Bible says in Habakkuk that a vision is for an appointed time. It might be fulfilled by you or someone else, but the vision itself lives on.

    If you lose the APC ticket in 2027, would you support whoever emerges?

    Yes. There are many aspirants in the APC. Whoever wins the ticket through a fair process will get support from others. Our main goal is for the APC to govern Abia State, just as we do at the national level.

    There are rumours that Governor Alex Otti wants to return to the APC. Would you welcome him?

    Of course. Otti was once a member of the APC. Politics is like a family—you can leave today and come back tomorrow to reach your goals. If he decides to return, he is welcome and free to do so. Some APC leaders have even been urging him to return to his roots. The Bible talks about first love, and in this democratic dispensation, his first love was the APC.

    Are you personally calling for his return?

    If he wants to return, he is welcome to do so. Some worry that if he comes back, party leaders will interfere with his work. But he is the governor and has executive powers. Who can tell him how to govern? Where are those people now, and what have they achieved?

    As a founding member of the APC, has the party performed well since 2015?

    You have to look at where Nigeria was before 2015. The APC didn’t create the problems Nigeria faces today; we inherited them.

    It’s not perfect, but there have been achievements. There’s progress in some areas, and not everything is negative. The APC government has tackled some critical issues.

    How would you assess Governor Otti’s performance so far?

    He has done well in his own way. All governors today, including Otti, have received more federal funds. There’s been a financial boost compared to past years.

    With these resources, no governor has an excuse not to perform. It would be wrong to have so much and not do well. So yes, he is doing well and making efforts.

    Your view contrasts with that of Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who accused the governor of wasting resources. Is that a contradiction?

    No. These things are relative. There’s a value-for-money audit. From what I’ve seen, it wouldn’t be fair to say Otti has done nothing, especially compared to past administrations. The Federal Government has also invested a lot in states, so governors are expected to perform.

    Igbos have long complained of marginalisation. Has the situation improved?

    Yes, things have improved. There is hope now. We have the Southeast Development Commission. Roads such as the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway are under construction.

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    There are more federal projects in the Southeast now than before. This has happened in just a few years. With more time, we’ll see even more progress.

    Peter Obi has joined the ADC and may contest the presidency. Should he step aside for President Tinubu?

    Every Nigerian has the right to vote and to be voted for. No one should be denied that right.

    As an APC member, I’ll support President Bola Tinubu because he would be flying the party’s flag. I also believe that many Igbos, after seeing what the administration has done, will help him achieve even more by voting for him in 2027.

    What do you think about Tinubu’s economic policies, especially the new tax law?

    The new tax law went into effect on January 1. It’s too soon to judge it completely. We need to see how it works in practice.

    This government knows people are suffering and is working to fix it. If a policy doesn’t work, the government will make changes.

    For example, removing the fuel subsidy was hard at first, but now fuel is available, and prices are not fixed. Rice used to be scarce and expensive during Christmas, but now it’s easy to find. We shouldn’t criticize everything.

    How would you assess the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity?

    Insecurity was a big problem in the past. Fighting insecurity is tough, just as fighting corruption is. The government needs support from Nigerians to succeed.

    The conviction of Nnamdi Kanu has generated controversy. Do you support calls for a political solution?

    Yes, a political solution is the best way to resolve the issue.

    What is your advice to Abians and Ndi Igbo on the ongoing voter revalidation exercise?

    People should register to vote and exercise their voting rights. If you don’t register, you deny yourself a voice. The registration exercise is a chance to change what we don’t like by voting. Registration lets you help shape good governance.

  • No room for policy duplication in Lagos, says Obanikoro

    No room for policy duplication in Lagos, says Obanikoro

    Lagos State government will not permit policy duplications and uncoordinate programmes, Special Adviser on Parastatal Monitoring, Babajide Obanikoro, has said.

    The governor’s aide spoke at a summit in Lagos with the theme: “Enhancing Efficiency, Accountability and Strategic Governance across Lagos State and Federal Parastatals.”

    He said the summit is both strategic and timely, coming at a moment when the demands of governance increasingly require collaboration, coordination, and collective responsibility.

    Obanikoro, a former federal legislator, said the Parastatals Monitoring Office would always live to expectation as the channel for transmitting executive decisions and directives affecting all parastatals.

    He also said the office would continue to convene quarterly engagements with the State Chief Executive Officers and act as a critical liaison between Lagos State and other tiers of government on parastatal-related matters.

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     Obanikoro said: “Lagos State remains Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, hosting a significant concentration of Federal and State Government Parastatals operating within the same geographic and socio-economic space.

    “Yet, despite our shared objectives of service delivery and development, limited coordination has often resulted in policy duplication, overlapping mandates, inefficiencies, and the underutilisation of shared resources.

    “These gaps ultimately affect the quality, speed, and impact of services delivered to our people. This summit, therefore, presents a valuable opportunity to bridge institutional divides, encourage structured engagement, and foster pracltical collaboration between Federal and Lagos State Parastatals.”

    Obanikoro said the discussions promoted by the office align with the T.H.E.M.E. S Agenda of the Lagos State Government, which prioritises building a smarter, more inclusive, and better-governed mega-city.

    He added:”Achieving this vision requires institutions that do not work in silos, but rather in synergy—leveraging collective strengths, sharing data and resources, and aligning policies for maximum public value.”

  • ‘Atiku, Obi can’t solve Nigeria’s problems’

    ‘Atiku, Obi can’t solve Nigeria’s problems’

    Former African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, has criticised leading opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, for not offering concrete solutions to Nigeria’s recurring crises beyond social media commentary.

    Speaking on national television, Kachikwu said Nigeria’s opposition politics has been reduced to what he described as “performative outrage,” where prominent politicians react to tragedies with statements and tweets but fail to propose actionable alternatives.

    According to him, whenever the country is hit by major incidents ranging from insecurity and violent crimes to economic hardship, the same political figures emerge to condemn the situation without outlining how they would address it if entrusted with power.

    “In the last two years, every time we’ve had a national tragedy, all you hear from the people you mentioned Atiku, Obi is talk, mostly tweets. ‘It’s a shame,’ ‘It’s a tragedy,’ ‘We are sorry,’” Kachikwu said. “They jab at the government, but they never, ever speak to solutions.”

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    He argued that such responses fall short of the responsibility expected from politicians who aspire to lead a country of over 200 million people, especially given Nigeria’s persistent security and economic challenges.

    Kachikwu stressed that meaningful opposition should go beyond criticism and instead present clear policy options, particularly on issues such as terrorism, kidnappings, violent crime, and governance failures. He questioned why opposition leaders have not articulated detailed plans on tackling insecurity, reforming the economy, or strengthening institutions.

    The former presidential candidate warned that Nigerians must become more critical of political messaging and resist being swayed by rhetoric without substance. He maintained that without concrete proposals, repeated condemnations of government failures amount to political grandstanding rather than leadership.

    Kachikwu’s remarks add to the growing debate over the quality of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political alignments intensify and public scrutiny of both the ruling party and opposition figures deepens.

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  • Battle for Kaduna Govt House

    Battle for Kaduna Govt House

    Governorship contests in Kaduna States are rarely won in the election year alone. Rather, they are shaped by quiet alignments, strategic defections and subtle recalibrations that begin ahead of the polls. Senior Correspondent ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE examines factors that may determine how the pendulum would swing

    In Kaduna State, the early signs are already visible. Political actors are repositioning, party loyalties are shifting, and fault lines that were once dormant are gradually re-emerging, all pointing to what is likely to be a fiercely contested governorship race.

    For now, there are no officially declared candidates across the political spectrum. However, in practical terms, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is the only party with a clear arrowhead in the contest, as incumbent Governor Uba Sani holds both the constitutional right of first refusal and the enormous leverage that comes with incumbency.

    To properly situate the unfolding permutations, it is important to revisit Kaduna’s post-1999 political history. Following the return to democratic rule, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed the state for 16 uninterrupted years, mirroring its long dominance at the federal level.

    That dominance was broken in 2015, when the APC, riding on the momentum of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide appeal, swept into power across several states in what analysts famously described as a political tsunami.

    In Kaduna, that wave produced Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai as governor after he defeated the incumbent PDP administration led by Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, marking a decisive shift in the state’s political direction.

    Since then, the PDP has struggled to reclaim Lost ground in Kaduna. While the party maintained a visible presence through seats in the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, it failed to translate legislative relevance into executive power.

    The 2023 governorship election was widely regarded within PDP circles as the party’s best opportunity to return to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. Yet, despite internal optimism and favourable national sentiments in some quarters, the APC once again prevailed, producing Senator Uba Sani as El-Rufai’s successor.

    As the 2027 election cycle gradually approaches, the PDP’s position has further weakened. The party’s national leadership crisis, defined by factionalism, litigation and ideological drift, has had a cascading effect on state chapters, Kaduna inclusive.

    Within Kaduna PDP, cohesion has thinned considerably. Competing tendencies, weakened grassroots mobilization and uncertainty about national direction have combined to erode the party’s once formidable structure.

    The most damaging development, however, came with the defection of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Southern Kaduna, to the ruling APC, a move widely seen by political watchers as a strategic and psychological setback for the opposition.

    Beyond the numerical loss of a Senate seat, Katung’s exit punctured the PDP’s long-held advantage in Southern Kaduna, a zone that historically delivered overwhelming margins to the party.

    Supporters of the defection argue that it reflected not personal ambition, but a calculated reading of constituent sentiment, particularly satisfaction with governance outcomes under the APC-led governments at both federal and state levels.

    The project distribution data and federal presence metrics appear to support that argument. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, Southern Kaduna has witnessed a concentration of federal institutions and infrastructure that far outpaces allocations recorded in previous administrations.

    Notable interventions include the establishment of a Federal University in Kachia, a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan, major inter-city and rural road projects, the Skills City initiative in Zangon Kataf, as well as strategic appointments at the federal level.

    These developments, according to local political stakeholders, have altered long-standing perceptions of exclusion and recalibrated voting behaviour across the zone.

    It was against this backdrop that Senator Katung openly declared that even if he had remained in the PDP, he would still campaign for President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027, citing tangible dividends of democracy.

    While the PDP still retains two senatorial seats from Kaduna State, insiders admit that retaining internal discipline and cohesion up to 2027 remains uncertain.

    More significantly, party strategists privately concede that presenting a gubernatorial candidate capable of matching Governor Uba Sani’s incumbency advantage, financial muscle and expanding cross-regional goodwill will be a tall order.

    Yet, political contests rarely follow linear projections. Even as the PDP falters, a new opposition force is quietly gaining traction, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    What distinguishes the ADC in Kaduna from its footprint elsewhere is leadership. The party is being driven by a former two-term governor who understands the APC’s internal mechanics, electoral psychology and mobilization playbook, Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.

    El-Rufai’s political experience, institutional memory and statewide networks place the ADC in a different category from conventional opposition platforms that rely solely on protest votes.

    Though his public criticism of the Tinubu administration has noticeably softened, sources insist that the former governor has redirected his energy toward subterranean mobilization aimed at challenging his successor.

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    Ironically, Uba Sani once occupied a central position in El-Rufai’s political machinery, serving as Political Adviser and later as Senator, where he successfully lobbied the National Assembly for approval of a $350 million foreign loan critical to Kaduna’s urban renewal programme.

    That loyalty initially positioned Uba Sani as El-Rufai’s most dependable ally. However, insiders maintain that the former governor had alternative succession plans, a divergence believed to have triggered a gradual but irreversible rift.

    Uba Sani’s deep control of party structure, honed during periods when El-Rufai focused more on governance than party management, ultimately proved decisive in securing the APC governorship ticket in 2022.

    The fallout became evident shortly after Sani assumed office, with El-Rufai and several of his loyalists exiting the APC for the ADC.

    Since then, El-Rufai has reportedly been working behind the scenes to forge a broad opposition alliance, including outreach to key PDP figures such as Hon. Isa Ashiru, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate.

    However, the ADC’s viability as an electoral vehicle will depend largely on its capacity to manage competing ambitions within its fold, as several heavyweight aspirants are already positioning for the governorship ticket.

    Uba Sani has used the power of incumbency strategically, reconciling with erstwhile APC adversaries, absorbing influential defectors from opposition parties, and stabilizing fragile political blocs across the state.

    Measured by elite defections, cross-regional acceptance and control of party machinery, Sani appears to be consolidating faster than any challenger.

    With incumbency advantage, expanding alliances and an image carefully cultivated around inclusion and political healing, Governor Uba Sani heads toward 2027 as the man to beat—though Kaduna’s famously unpredictable political terrain suggests that the contest remains far from settled.

  • RusselSmith gets NIPC’s pioneer status for advanced manufacturing innovation

    RusselSmith gets NIPC’s pioneer status for advanced manufacturing innovation

    RusselSmith, ISO-certified provider of innovative asset integrity and advanced manufacturing solutions for critical industries, has been granted Pioneer Status for Additive (3D) manufacturing by Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

    This is in recognition of its pioneering activities in deploying industrial additive (3D) manufacturing in Nigeria.

    The Pioneer Status Incentive is a Federal Government investment incentive to support companies investing and operating in qualifying pioneer industries and products.

    For RusselSmith, the recognition underscores its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability through advanced industrial 3D manufacturing technologies, process innovation, and local capacity development. These efforts support on-demand manufacturing of spare parts and essential components locally, helping to reduce downtime for critical equipment across various industries and building supply chain resilience through reduced import dependence.

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    “Being granted Pioneer Status by the NIPC is a significant milestone for RusselSmith,” said Kayode Adeleke, CEO, RusselSmith. “It validates the strategic importance of the robust advanced manufacturing ecosystem we are building and reinforces our long-term commitment to building resilient industrial capacity in Nigeria. This incentive will support our investment in technology, talent development, and operational scale, while deepening the value we deliver to our customers and partners.”

    NIPC is Federal Government agency established to encourage, promote, and co-ordinate investment in the economy and to support measures that enhance Nigeria’s investment climate for Nigerian and non-Nigerian investors.

    RusselSmith will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure sustained compliance, performance, and measurable impact, including creation of skilled employment and delivery of high-value services that advance Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness.

  • 1,000 receives foundation’s health care

    1,000 receives foundation’s health care

    One thousand residents of Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State have benefited from a free medical outreach organised by Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation.

    The outreach, held at the State General Hospital, Igbokoda, featured free medical consultations, eye tests, drugs, distribution of eyeglasses, especially to the elderly, with a donation of a 4D ultrasound Doppler machine to the hospital.

    President, Mrs Yetunde Obuotor, said the programme was aimed at improving access to quality healthcare and strengthening diagnostic services in the riverine community.

    Obuotor explained that beneficiaries from communities in Ilaje council received treatment for ailments, such as hypertension, diabetes, malaria, peptic ulcer, and eye-related conditions.

    She said the donated ultrasound Doppler machine would significantly enhance diagnostic capacity at the hospital, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, and early detection of medical conditions.

    “The Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation was established with a clear mission to support underserved communities by improving access to quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainable livelihoods.

    “Healthcare is the backbone of any thriving society. This ultrasound machine is not just equipment; it is a lifeline that will help save lives,” she said.

    Secretary of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mrs Folashade Ajijo, said the initiative was inspired by the legacy of their parents, indigenes, who were committed to community service..

    Ajijo noted that although the family had been involved in philanthropy for years, the foundation was formalised to ensure structure, accountability, and sustainable impact.

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    “Our mission is to empower underserved people. We are also committed to education and livelihood development,” she said, calling for stronger collaboration among government, communities, and private bodies.

    Chief Medical Director of State General Hospital, Igbokoda, Dr Ezekiel Edino, lauded the foundation for the outreach, saying the Doppler machine is one of the most advanced in the area.

    He said the equipment would improve service delivery and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised diagnostic services.

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the outreach and donation is a major boost to healthcare delivery in the state.

    Represented by Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, heurged the hospital management to ensure proper use and maintenance of the tools to guarantee long-term benefits for patients.

  • Lawmaker ‘commits’ to constituents’ welfare

    Lawmaker ‘commits’ to constituents’ welfare

    lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has restated her commitment to the welfare and well-being of her constituents.

    Akande-Sadipe, who spoke in Ibadan at a training in aquaculture for over 200 constituents, said her priority was to represent the people of Oluyole in a way that would be beneficial to them.

    She reiterated her promise to remain resolute about the yearnings of her constituents.

    The lawmaker said through her efforts, projects had been facilitated in her constituency, directed at poverty reduction.

    Akande-Sadipe said the workshop and was geared towards promoting aquaculture.

    She said the business would enable beneficiaries to be self-reliant and provide income for decent livelihood.

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    Akande-Sadipe thanked her constituents for their support and cooperation, promising to bring more to their doorsteps.

    Beneficiaries, who hailed the federal lawmaker’s political maturity and foresight, also acknowledged the impact of the aquaculture initiative.

    Mr Lukman Adebisi and Rukayat Jimoh lauded her for carrying out empowerment regularly and praised her for the aquaculture training that would make them self-reliant.

    The training drew facilitators from Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR).

    Highlight of the event was distribution of startup grants of N100,000 to each beneficiary, totalling N20 million.

  • Media chief among Africa’s top men

    Media chief among Africa’s top men

    News Central Media has congratulated its Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Kayode Akintemi, following his inclusion on the Global Reputation Forum (GRF) list of 100 Most Reputable Africans.

    The recognition honours African leaders whose work reflects integrity, innovation and impact on their communities. Akintemi’s selection highlights his role in building News Central into a leading platform for credible, pan-African journalism.

    News Central has gained a reputation for in-depth, balanced reporting on key issues shaping Africa, including economic reforms, governance, youth empowerment and cultural development. The organisation has expanded its reach to millions of viewers through GOtv, YouTube and other digital platforms.

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    Global Reputation Forum said its annual ranking is based on rigorous criteria, including public perception, ethical standards, professional accomplishments and contributions to society. Akintemi was recognised for his commitment to ethical journalism, media innovation and promotion of authentic African narratives.

    Akintemi said the recognition is for all. He said: “This is for the team and the trust of our viewers in Africa. In an era of misinformation, we remain dedicated to reputable journalism that informs, inspires and unites our continent.”

    His inclusion places him among a group from business, politics, arts and media contributing to reshaping Africa’s global image.

    News Central Media Limited said the accolade reinforces its mission to amplify Africa’s voice and strengthen standards of broadcast excellence across the continent.

  • Resort to boost tourism, redefine coastal living

    Resort to boost tourism, redefine coastal living

    A resort-inspired waterfront residential and hospitality development is set to boost tourism and redefine coastal living in Lagos.

    Known as Nautica Rise, it spans 77,000 square metres along Lekki Peninsula, just beyond the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road.

    The project, developed by Cruxstone Development and Investment Limited, is conceived as a long-term coastal ecosystem that blends luxury living, leisure, and sustainable investment value within one of Lagos’ fastest-growing waterfront corridors.

    Nautica Rise is delivered under leadership of Dr. Adetoro Bank-Omotoye, managing director, a real estate developer with 30 years experience and 15 years in real estate development.

    Cruxstone has earned industry recognition for delivering high-quality luxury residential, mixed-use, and hospitality developments in Lagos.

    Dr. Bank-Omotoye said: “Nautica Rise is not just a real estate project; it is a long-term commitment to redefining how coastal living is experienced in Lagos. We are creating a destination that harmonises luxury, community, leisure, and investment value, while contributing meaningfully to job creation and economic growth. This development reflects our belief that great real estate must deliver lifestyle excellence and enduring value.”

    The development comprises exquisitely finished one-to five-bedroom apartments and penthouses, supported by The Nautica Beach Resort, wellness zones, leisure facilities, dining options, and family-focused amenities.

    Designed as a holistic lifestyle destination, Nautica Rise integrates residential comfort with hospitality and recreation, appealing to homeowners and investors seeking value in premium coastal real estate.

    Strategically positioned along the emerging Lekki coastal corridor, Nautica Rise benefits from improved accessibility and increasing demand for waterfront property.

    Construction is currently underway, with beachfront works nearing completion and trial piling ongoing for the residential towers.

    The project is being delivered by a consortium of experienced local and international professionals, including Trevi (piling), Archtion (local architects), Peerutin Karol (foreign architects), EMMS (structural engineers), CCP Consultants (mechanical and electrical engineers), APD (project managers), with BCL Construction serving as the main contractors.

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    Nautica Rise is structured as a phased development, with Phase One scheduled for completion by 2028. This phase will deliver the first residential towers alongside core lifestyle amenities such as wellness facilities, members’ spaces, community areas, and direct beach access. Subsequent phases will expand the residential, leisure, and hospitality components, reinforcing Nautica Rise as a living coastal community rather than a single-phase project.

    Beyond real estate delivery, Cruxstone estimates that Nautica Rise and The Nautica Beach Resort will generate over 1,000 employment opportunities across construction, hospitality, facility management, retail, and leisure services.

    The development is also designed to stimulate local economic activity through partnerships with community-based vendors, contractors, and service providers, supporting skills development and long-term economic inclusion.

    According to Cruxstone, the investment narrative of Nautica Rise is driven by land scale, location scarcity, lifestyle desirability, phased delivery, and sustained demand for premium coastal living.

    Rather than focusing on short-term guarantees, the project prioritises durable value creation through quality design, integrated amenities, and positive socio-economic impact.

    With Nautica Rise, Cruxstone Development and Investment Limited aims to establish a new benchmark for oceanfront living in Lagos, one that blends residential excellence, hospitality, community, and long-term investment confidence into a unified coastal destination.