The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Two die, others injured in Abia Deputy Speaker’s convoy crash

    Two die, others injured in Abia Deputy Speaker’s convoy crash

    Two persons have been reported dead in an auto-crash involving the convoy of Abia Deputy Speaker. Austin Okezie Meregini.

    Our correspondent gathered the accident, which happened at the Obehie axis of the popular Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, left other occupants of the Deputy Speaker’s convoy badly injured as the driver risks paralysis, except urgent spinal surgery by team of medical experts.

    While the deceased were said to have died on the spot, other injured occupants of the affected SUV said to be some of the Deputy Speaker’s security personnel, The Nation learnt are on admission at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, the state capital.

    The Nation learnt the deceased Ifeanyi Maduako, 45, and Onyedi Obasi ,35, were brothers from Ehime Mbano local government area of Imo State.

    Maduako and Obasi were said to have visited home for the burial of their relative and preparing going back to their bases when the unfortunate incident happened.

    A source sai:d: “They came back from overseas to come and do their mother’s burial.

    “One of them came back from Gambia and the other one from Philistines. They were on their way back when the ugly incident happened.

    “One of the deceased persons has a child, while the other one has two children.

    “There is no official cause of the accident, but we learnt that the convoy of the Abia State government official were said to be on high speed.

    “It is for police and Federal Road Safety to tell the public how it happened. But like I said, information available has it that the state Assembly official’s convoy rammed into their car, resulting not just the accident, but the loss of lives,” said a source who preferred anonymity.

    The two cars were said to have been towed to Obehie Police Station.

    The Abia Police Command and their Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) counterpart were yet to officially comment on the incident, at the time of filing the report.

    Reacting to the ugly situation, the Deputy Speaker, who debunked being in the convoy, said that the convoy team were coming back from an errand in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    In a response to the critics of the Deputy Speaker, who was accused of abandoning the bereaved families, Grant Okeigbo, a member of the Media Unit, Office of the Deputy, Speaker, said “the tragic incident involving the driver and two security details driving in the official pick-up truck of the Deputy Speaker and a Toyota Spider with two occupants was an unfortunate tragedy.

    “Regrettably, both occupants of the Toyota Spider (The driver and passenger) lost their lives in the collusion.

    “It is important to state clearly that the Deputy Speaker was not in the pick-up vehicle at the time of the accident. The truck was alone returning from an errand to Port – Harcourt when the unfortunate accident occurred.

    “The Toyota Spider was driving against traffic (one-way) because of the bad condition of the other side of the lane. According to an eyewitness accounts and submission of the surviving truck driver, the Toyota Spider either suffered a burst tire or brake failure, which caused the spider to lose control and veer into the path of the Deputy Speaker’s pick-up truck.

    “This resulted in a very bad collusion between the two vehicles and, unfortunately, led to the death of the two occupants of the Toyota Spider.

    “The driver of the truck and the two policemen sustained serious injuries, putting their lives under very critical conditions, to the extent that the driver of the truck is currently on life support and being considered for a spine surgery, following the recommendation of a Neuro Surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

    “The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly considers this a tragic incident and sent emissaries to the bereaved family the following day after the accident (Monday, August 4th, 2025) while working round the clock with medical professionals to save the lives of his surviving driver and security details.

    “The interface and discussion between the emissaries from the Deputy Speaker and the bereaved family is still ongoing to agree on how best the bereaved family can be supported during this very difficult time without consideration of the circumstances leading to the accident in the first place.

    “The Deputy Speaker is surprised and pained that such unconfirmed News is being peddled and circulated on the social media spaces against his person without hearing from him and does not believe that the bereaved family can be behind such misrepreaentation of facts, considering the circumstances and the communications thus far.

    “The Deputy Speaker is appealing to the general public, especially the media, to exercise caution to avoid spreading unverified reports, especially in such sensitive matter, involving loss of lives.

    “Out of respect for the deceased and their family, The Deputy Speaker’s Office has deliberately refrained from going into certain details.

    “The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini is a man of empathy and responsibility who has consistently supported individuals and families in distress across the State and beyond, even when he is not in any way connected to the parties involved.

    “The Deputy Speaker once again extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for the repose of their souls in God’s bosom.”

  • Gunmen abduct FMC staff member in Ondo

    Gunmen abduct FMC staff member in Ondo

    A Staff member of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Pastor Ayodeji Akesinro, has been abducted by gunmen in Ondo State.

    Akesiro was reportedly whisked away from his residence at Upenme, in Owo Local Government Area, around 7 p.m. on Thursday.

    Confirming the incident, a senior labour leader under the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), who does not want his name mentioned, said that the matter had already been reported to the security agencies.

    In a message circulated among members of the union, he expressed shock over the abduction and hinted at possible protests if the situation was not swiftly addressed.

    “I am writing to bring to your attention the distressing news of the kidnapping of our colleague and member, Pastor Akesinro, in his house at Upenme, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State at about 7 p.m. yesterday, 28th of August, 2025.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill one, abduct businesswoman in Ondo community

    “As a union, we have always stood strong in advocating for the welfare and security of our members. In light of this unfortunate event, members of NUAHP may need to declare a day of protest in Owo to demand the immediate and safe release of Pastor Akesinro,” the message read.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, said security operatives were on top of the situation and have begun combing the forest to rescue the victim.

    Lawal explained that the police in a joint collaborative effort with other sister security agencies would ensure Akesinro is rescued unhurt while perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.

    “Our men are currently inside the bush in collaboration with other sister security agencies to rescue the victim. Let me assure you that we are not resting to ensure the citizens of the state are well secured.

  • Three-year-old Fiyinfoluwa fights for his life

    Three-year-old Fiyinfoluwa fights for his life

    • Family appeals for ₦28m heart surgery fund

    For three-year-old Fiyinfoluwa Barnabas Clement-Ake, every breath is a battle and every heartbeat a miracle. Born with joy as the first child of a young couple studying at the ECWA Theological Seminary in Jos, his short life has instead been defined by constant hospital visits, daily medications, and the looming threat of a rare heart defect that could end his life without urgent surgery.

    At just four months old, Fiyinfoluwa was diagnosed with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease (Truncus Arteriosus Type 1), a condition in which the heart fails to form properly, disrupting the flow of blood and depriving the body of oxygen. Doctors delivered the devastating diagnosis on May 18, 2022, news that upended his parents’ world.

    “He struggles to breathe, he struggles to grow,” a family member explained. “It has been three years and eight months of fear, faith, and fighting for his life.”

    To keep him stable, Fiyinfoluwa takes four different medications daily, but doctors have made it clear: the drugs are only a stopgap. Without immediate open-heart surgery, the defect could soon become inoperable.

    The procedure, which must be performed in India, requires a staggering ₦28.1 million. The breakdown includes cardiac catheterisation, surgery, and travel costs. For two young parents with no stable income, the figure is an impossible mountain to climb.

    Read Also: How Niger fights corruption, saves public funds

    In desperation, they have taken their story public, appealing not just for money but for solidarity. “We have shared medical reports and documents because this is real,” they said. “We need prayers, we need help, we need voices to spread the word.”

    Despite the crushing reality, Fiyinfoluwa’s father, Clement Ake, holds on to his faith.

    “There is nothing God cannot do. I have faith and trust is still intact in Him, that somehow how in a way that we do not know, He will make my son whole again,” he said.

    For now, the family’s days are filled with both hope and dread. Hope that a philanthropist, a corporate body, or kind-hearted Nigerians might intervene; dread that time is slipping away as their son’s condition worsens.

    Right now, Fiyinfoluwa’s survival depends on the compassion of strangers who can help bridge the gap between despair and healing.

    Every passing day without the surgery is a gamble. But for the Clements, faith remains their anchor, and the kindness of others their only lifeline.

    To those who wish to make a difference in his life by contributing to his medical fund or sharing his story with others, his parents urged them to take note of the following information:

    “If you’d like to support Fiyinfoluwa, you can reach out to his parents directly via DM or call/text/WhatsApp: +234(0)7066227304; +234(0)8071471299. You can also deposit your support into the patient’s designated bank account: Account Number: 3198925092 (First Bank); Account Name: Clement-Ake, Fiyinfoluwa Barnabas Charis; GTB Account Numbers: 0858716147 (NGN), 0878976730 (USD), 0878976802 (GBP), 0878977012 (EUR).”

  • Trapped in Oman

    Trapped in Oman

    • Heartrending plight of Nigerian maid stuck in employer’s Middle East home
    • I want to see my daughter again, aged mother cries out
    • Family seeks FG’s intervention to secure her release

    Family members of a young Nigerian lady who works as a housemaid in the Middle East country of Oman are begging the federal government to rescue her from her male employer who has rendered her incommunicado for demanding payment of more than four years’ salary arrears, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.

    Damilola Badmus was told that the grass was greener in Oman. So, in 2019, she grabbed with both hands an offer to work in the Middle East country as a housemaid with good pay in return. Little did she know that she was walking into a trap that would later unsettle her family in Nigeria.

    Her trip was facilitated by a man called Apase, through her sister-in-law.  Apase was said to have died shortly after Damilola arrived in Oman, where she has been working in the home of a man identified as Ahmoud Isiak.

    But two years into the job, the speck fell off Damilola’s eyes. Her employer stopped paying her salary, and it dawned on her that the grass in Oman was anything but green. In spite of persistent demand for her pay, her boss has refused to yield ground.

    Exasperated at the turn of events, Damilola reported the matter to the Oman Labour Bureau, accusing her boss of deliberately defaulting in salary payment.

    Angered by her audacity to seek redress, Damilola’s employer allegedly plotted to deal with her after he was invited by the Labour Office for interrogation.

    It was said that Isiak lied to the police days before his appearance at the Labour Office that he stopped paying Damilola salaries because she stole his gold jewellery. Damilola was consequently detained alongside a Nigerian youth who facilitated her visit to the Labour Bureau.

    She was later released on bail to her employer, who took her back to his home and has since allegedly locked her in, preventing her from using her phone or communicate with anyone.

    For months, her family members including her mother became distraught over their inability to reach her on the phone, until they were contacted by a concerned Nigerian man, who got wind of Damilola’s predicament through a message posted on a whatsapp group created for Africans in Oman.

    The man, Ganiu Ishmaeel Olaleye, an automobile technician and indigene of Kwara State, said he became aware of Damilola’s plight after a Camerounian lady shared her story on the whatsapp group.

    Olaleye said: “According to the information I got from the victim (Damilola), before she was arrested by the police, sshe had narrated that her sister-in-law got the job for her directly from Nigeria.

    “I don’t know the nature of agreement between the employer and the employee. This implies that she had a two years working permit visa.

    “She further quoted Damilola as saying that she had worked with the same family for six years but got paid for only one year and four months.

    “I guess because she was asking to be paid, she was accused of stealing gold in the same house.

    “We got to hear about her situation in the African Group in Oman from a Cameroonian lady who went to the house where Damilola works for employment but did not get the job due to disagreement over salary.

    “The ladies in the group, who had similar experiences, advised her to leave the house and report to the labour office in Oman.

    Olaleye said the matter assumed a twist after her employer instigated her arrest by allegedly lying to police authorities in Oman that she had stolen some jewellery from his house. Hence his decision not to pay her salaries for four years.

    “The labour office gave her an appointment date and also called her employer for further clarification.

    “Before the appointed date, her boss had given her number to a police officer to pretend that he was calling from the labour office to help her get her payment from her boss.

    “They agreed to meet at a location. Unfortunately, she was arrested alongside the Nigerian man who accompanied her to witness the scene.

    “Three days later, the police released the Nigerian man and transferred Damilola to prison.”

    While she was subsequently released to her boss by the police, Olaleye explained the difficulty in getting help from the Nigeria Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which also represents the Nigerian Mission in Oman.

    Read Also: Court remands 50-year-old woman for allegedly exhuming female corpse

    He also explained that the numerous emails sent to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) had not yielded any positive result.

    “I have sent countless emails to NIDCOM and Office of Hon. Abike Dabiri and the Nigeria Embassy in Abu Dahbi; all didn’t yield any (positive) result.”

    I want to see my daughter,  says distraught mother

    Damilola’s sister in-law, Oluwabukola Badmus, who introduced her to the migration agent, Apesin, explained that she facilitated her trip to Oman without any ulterior motive.

    Badmus said: “Damilola is my brother’s wife. I was the person that introduced Damilola’s labour migration to Oman.

    “I had lived in Oman for two years through the same employment scheme facilitated by the same person that took me to Oman, called Apesin, in 2017, where I worked for two years before returning home in 2019.

    “Apesin died shortly after Damilola arrived in Oman in 2019.

    “I also facilitated the trip of two persons including one of my siblings and her friend.

    “I returned to Nigeria because my boss in Oman attempted to sleep with me while working as a maid in his house.

    “The man was owing me three-month salary, and when he tried to sleep with me, I locked myself in the room till he left home one day and I managed to escape.

    “I have told Damilola to smart up and not allow her Arabian boss to cheat her because that is what Oman male employers do.

    “They like to withhold the salaries of their employees and could even seize their maids’ international passport to prevent them from quitting their jobs and leaving Oman even if they deny them their salaries.

    “Unfortunately, Damilola slacked and her employer continued to owe her salaries for more than four years now, and the man has even rendered her incommunicado.

    “As we speak, we cannot trace her whereabouts as we learnt that her boss has since relocated to a new apartment in an undisclosed part of Oman.

    “I know how to get her out if I have the means to travel to Oman, because I lived in the country for two years before I returned to Nigeria. 

    “However, I don’t have the resources to process the trip right now.”

    Damilola’s mother, Madam Olaide Emmanuel, was crestfallen when she spoke with our correspondent on the telephone during the week. The 70-year-old woman said that all she wanted was to see her daughter again.

    “Damilola is the only daughter I have, and that was the reason I named her Morenikeji.

    “Her predicament has taken a toll on my health and looks.

    “If you see me in person, you will know that I have become weary and older from thinking about Damilola’s plight in Oman.

    “I have not heard from her in a long time since she was framed by her employer who she reported to Oman labour authorities for refusing to pay her salary for four years.

    “Initially, after her boss seized her phone, he only allowed her to communicate with us using her boss’ sister-in-law’s mobile phone.

    “He has since stopped her from communicating with her family members when we started asking her boss to pay her salary and allow her to be free to leave.”

    Damilola’s mother further explained that her Oman employer deliberately secured her bail from police cell and forced her to sign an undertaking that she would never demand payment of her salary arrears.

    “Damilola’s boss has also barred calls from our phone lines on his mobile phone.

    “A lady who also lives in Oman and knew about my daughter’s plight told me that Damilola’s boss was deliberately keeping her away from us even after she had been forced to write an undertaking that she would no longer demand that her salary arrears be paid.

    “I also learnt that her boss has since moved out from the house he was living to an unknown location shortly after the incident.”

    Her mother also pleaded with the Nigerian authorities to step into the matter and rescue her daughter from the house of her boss, “who has since stopped his sister-in-law from allowing Damilola to use her mobile phone to reach us.

    “I don’t know where Damilola’s boss is keeping her. I know she is still alive, but not being able to speak with her has made my life miserable. I want the Nigerian government to help me rescue my daughter and bring her back to Nigeria.

    “I am an old woman and Damilola is the only daughter I have. I want to see her again. Her unknown whereabouts in Oman has affected my health.

    “The Nigerian government should help me rescue her from the captivity of her unfeeling boss.”

    Our correspondent tried repeatedly to speak with the unnamed sister-in-law to Damilola’s boss on her mobile phone number during the week, but the lady declined the calls.

    Contacted, the spokesperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission( NIDCOM), Mr. Rahman Balogun, in a whatsapp message said: ‘’It is a matter for  the National Agency For The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons( NAPTIP) and NOT diasporic in nature. Pls reach out to NAPTIP.

    Responding via a WhatsApp message, NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, said: ‘’ Pls, advise the family to write and give us sufficient information on the girl that will enable the Agency to respond appropriately. Information such as her age, her location in Oman, her telephone number or email, the name and contact of her Agent over there, the name and contact of the recruiter here in Nigeria and any other useful information. This should be addressed to the DG and send to info@naptip.gov.ng or hard copy of such petition could (be) submitted at NAPTIP’ Hqters. Abuja or at any of our Commands across Nigeria.’’

  • Kefas Ropshik condoles APC chairman over mother’s passing

    Kefas Ropshik condoles APC chairman over mother’s passing

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on Tuesday continued to receive condolence visits from family, friends, and political associates following the passing of his beloved mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda.

    Among those who paid a heartfelt visit was Hon. Kefiano Kefas Ropshik, who described the late matriarch as a woman of faith, dignity, and immense impact on those around her. He noted that Mama Lydia’s values are clearly reflected in the life and leadership of Prof. Yilwatda.

    In his words, “This loss is not just for the Yilwatda family but for the wider community that she nurtured with her kindness and wisdom. We stand with you at this moment of grief, offering our prayers and solidarity.”

    Read Also: Akpabio condoles APC chairman Yilwatda on mother’s death

    Also joining in the condolence visit was Senator Atai Aidoko, a two-time Senator, two-time member of the House of Representatives, and one of the founding members of the APC. Senator Aidoko praised the exemplary life of Mama Lydia, saying her legacy of discipline and service will continue to inspire generations.

    Prof. Yilwatda, in his response, expressed gratitude to the visitors, noting that their presence and kind words brought comfort to his family at this painful time.

    The condolence messages emphasized the enduring value of family, faith, and community, as leaders across the country continue to honour the life and memory of Mama Lydia Yilwatda.

  • EU pledges €18m to roll-out of digital public infrastructure in Nigeria 

    EU pledges €18m to roll-out of digital public infrastructure in Nigeria 

    The Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, has announced that the European Union (EU) has committed €18 million to support Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

    De Luca noted that this would drive growth and create secure, inclusive digital ecosystems.

    He spoke at the launch of the Nigeria Data Exchange Platform (NGDX) convened by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy with support from the EU and Team Europe partners from Estonia, Finland, Germany, and France.

    The conference marked a major milestone in advancing secure, inclusive and trusted digital systems for the country’s citizens and businesses.

    The conference, facilitated by the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, brought together senior government officials, legislators, regulators, industry leaders, and international partners to deliberate on the vision, governance, and technical architecture of the NGDX, envisaged as the third foundational rail of Nigeria’s DPI alongside the National Identity System and the National Payments Infrastructure.

    De Luca said that Nigeria is a critical partner for digital cooperation under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy and International Digital Strategy, which promote secure and trusted digital solutions and encourage business between Europe and Africa. 

    “DPI is one priority area for cooperation of the EU Tech Business offer with a strong potential to drive growth and create secure, inclusive digital ecosystems,” he said.

    Read Also: 260,000 ECOWAS forces to fight terrorism in sub-region

    He added that DPI goes beyond technology, empowering societies through secure digital identities, seamless payments, and trusted data governance frameworks. 

    “However, such frameworks require legal safeguards on data and privacy. DPI must respect inclusivity, equity, human-centricity, security, trust, and sustainability,” he said.

    Highlighting the EU’s commitment, De Luca noted critical projects supporting Nigeria’s digital transition, including BRIDGE (the rollout of 90,000 km of fibre-optic cable across the country), 3 MITT (launching Nigeria’s youth into the ICT labour market), and support for the digital economy ecosystem and businesses.

    “This event is also a first step towards a fully-fledged EU support to the roll-out of DPI in Nigeria, an €18 million project that has just been approved for funding,” he said, praising the collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

    Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the initiative as central to Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

    He said, “Nigeria already has two of the three critical stacks required for a successful DPI, the National Identity rail and the Payments rail. The next frontier is a trusted Data Exchange that enables government and business to share and use data securely, while providing citizens with better services under a framework that guarantees privacy, security and accountability.”

    The minister noted that the NGDX will comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which enshrines the right to privacy and established the National Data Protection Commission.

    He said that the ministry was committed to delivering a functional national data exchange by the end of 2025 in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • Climate change driving farmer-herder crises, banditry in Nigeria – FG 

    Climate change driving farmer-herder crises, banditry in Nigeria – FG 

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Adam Mahmud Kambari, has linked ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including farmer-herder clashes, cattle rustling, and banditry, to the impacts of climate change.

    Speaking at an inception workshop in Abuja on capacity development for conflict-sensitive adaptation and the launch of a report on integrating peacebuilding into Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Kambari stressed that conflict sensitivity must be a core element of the nation’s climate response.

    He noted that fragile and conflict-affected states are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts but often lack the governance systems and institutional capacity to cope and recover. 

    “It would be a mistake to ignore medium- and long-term adaptation needs in these peacebuilding contexts,” he said.

    Read Also: NCCC calls for increased financing to address climate impact

    Kambari emphasised that adaptation strategies must be viewed through the lens of conflict sensitivity, making it crucial to build the capacity of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to integrate peacebuilding into their planning processes.

    He further recalled Nigeria’s commitments under international frameworks, including the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, highlighting that under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), Nigeria pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 47% with international support. 

    While mitigation remains a focus, the NDC also aligns with the ongoing NAP to strengthen adaptation, especially in vulnerable regions.

    The permanent secretary urged stakeholders to embrace conflict-sensitive development planning, noting that Nigeria’s NAP, supported by the Green Climate Fund, will build on the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action (NASPA) to address pressing climate and security challenges.

  • Nigeria’s security future hinges on local defence equipment, says expert 

    Nigeria’s security future hinges on local defence equipment, says expert 

    The Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has stated that Nigeria’s security future hinges on the local production and utilization of defence equipment tailored to effectively address the country’s security challenges. 

    The Secretary-General of DIAN, Kola Balogun, said this on Friday, on the sidelines of the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja.

    Balogun said that consistent procurement of locally manufactured military equipment would not only boost the nation’s defence capabilities but also create jobs, reduce idleness among youths and close the recruitment gap for insurgent groups.

    He said, “It is an idle mind that provides room for ideological manipulation. Patronage of locally made equipment will engage more citizens productively, reduce unemployment and deny insurgents the chance of luring them into negative ideologies.”

    He noted that Nigeria has policy instruments like the Local Content Act and Executive Order 5, designed to protect indigenous capacity, but emphasized the need for stronger commitment to their implementation. 

    Balogun emphasized that increased patronage would “expand the local defence industry, foster regional collaboration” and pave the way for an African-wide military force that relies on African-made equipment.

    Read Also: Army trains personnel against drug abuse in the northeast 

    “It should no longer be about only Nigerian forces but about African forces, harmonising our capabilities to ensure inter-country exchange of equipment and collective security across the continent,” he added.

    Balogun urged the federal government and the Armed Forces to increase patronage of locally made defence equipment to strengthen security and curb insurgency, while assuring that DIAN would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure product standardization and compliance with best practices, and encourage more local producers to join the association.

    “The more we encourage local capability, the more we reduce insecurity, strengthen our economy and secure our future,” he said.

    He, therefore, urged for continuity of public-private partnership (PPP) agreements in the nation’s defence sector, stressing that sustainability of PPPs is critical to building investor confidence, developing local capacity, and ensuring continuity of defence projects. 

    “Once a PPP agreement is signed, huge investments and overhead costs are already committed. For a successor to truncate such projects is not good enough for the continuation of public-private partnership initiatives,” he said.

  • Ondo cleric, wife held over fake kidnap

    Ondo cleric, wife held over fake kidnap

    Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have apprehended a cleric, and his wife in Ondo, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area, for allegedly staging a ‘fake kidnap’ to extort money from their relatives.

    The suspects, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua (62) and Mrs Sanmori Taiwo (42), residents of Road 5, Powerline in Ondo, were apprehended after their plot was uncovered.

    In a statement yesterday in Akure, the spokesman for the state Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the incident occurred on August 23, between 4:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m.

    According to Ayanlade, Taiwo hid in a room in their house while her husband (the cleric) used her mobile phone to contact relatives, claiming she had been abducted by gunmen.

    He said the suspect allegedly demanded N10 million ransom for the release of his wife.

    READ ALSO: Echoes of terrorism

    The police spokesman added that one of the relatives, Fasegha Joseph, became suspicious of the claims and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who assigned the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

    He added that a joint team from the squad and the Enu-Owa Division stormed the couple’s residence in Ondo, where the pastor’s wife was found.

    “She initially lied that she had been released after a ransom of ₦5 million was paid,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Olayinka said.

    “However, upon further interrogation, she confessed that the self-kidnap was staged in connivance with her husband to extort money from her relatives abroad.”

    The police spokesperson added that the suspects admitted their motive was to settle debts and cater for their needs.

    Both suspects are in custody and will be charged to court.

    Lawal warned against such criminal antics, stressing that the command would not tolerate any form of crime, whether genuine or staged.

    “This case shows that the police will unravel any plot meant to disturb public peace. We urge members of the public to continue to give credible information, which will always be treated with confidentiality,” he added.

    The command commended the residents for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

  • Eko Cooperative holds 63rd AGM

    Eko Cooperative holds 63rd AGM

    Eko Akete (Mainland) Cooperative Society has held its 63rd Annual General Meeting(AGM)/Annual Report at Ikotun, Lagos, where it unveiled the society’s new executive officers.

    The new executive committee members for the next four years include Falemi Victor Olusanjo (President); Dapo Alebiosu Ibrahim (first Vice President); Muse Adeoso Bilikisu (second Vice President); Azeez Abdulwahid Olaniyi (General Secretary); Onabanjo Frederick Olufemi (Treasurer); Ajiboye Oriyomi Fredrick (Assistant Gen. Sec.) and Rasheed Olukayode R. (Financial Sec.).

    Others are Zacchaeus Mobolaji (ex-officio I), Adelagun Adeshina Ex-officio II, Babatunde Jonathan Ex officio III, Illo Fausat Adebimpe Ex-officio IV. Oladeji Lawal Olawuyi, Okuneye Adejoke and Ashiru Akeem Olayinka are members of the Supervisory Committee.

    READ ALSO: Exemplary Olatunjis

    Outgoing president of the club, Zacchaeus Mobolaji, appreciated the members for the privilege to serve them in the last four years. He urged more drive for new members.

    Mobolaji said the society recorded a significant improvement from the 2023 results, as it closed with an income of N651,931,372.65, but it incurred N267,604,768. 43 expenses, leaving a surplus of N384,326,604.22.

    He said their savings increased to N8,862,014,601.40 from N7,992,,800,785.11 in 2023, while membership loans jumped from N6,616,890,530.13 to N7,702,244,602.77 in 2024.

    Mobolaji also announced a minimum salary adjustment for the society staff members to N80,000. This, he said, was to forestall corrupt tendencies among them.