The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Over 5,000 youths attend Lagos Youth Aflame Conference

    Over 5,000 youths attend Lagos Youth Aflame Conference

    The bustling city of Lagos witnessed an extraordinary gathering over the weekend as over 5,000 Christian youths in the marketplace converged for the 2025 edition of the Youth Aflame Conference (YAC).

    The annual gathering, now in its fourth year, has steadily become a beacon for young professionals and students seeking to merge faith with excellence in their chosen industries.

    From the pulpit to the panel stage, the message was clear: Passion is not enough; preparation is the engine of destiny. Pastor Daniel Olawande, fondly known as PDaniel, the convener of YAC and Provincial Pastor of RCCG Youth Province Twenty, set the tone with a sobering charge:

    “Passion is not enough. You need a rugged level of preparation to get to your destination.”

    The conference blended worship, learning, and networking, featuring keynote speeches, spirited panel discussions, and electrifying music performances from individuals excelling across diverse sectors—Technology, Politics, Entertainment, Health, Advertising, Ministry, and Education.

    In one of the most engaging sessions, tech innovator Iyin Aboyeji offered a glimpse into his approach to leadership under pressure:

    “When I face tough seasons, I sit, meditate, and pray, then hand over everything to God as my Senior Partner.”

    Read Also: WAICA conference to focus on insurers’ climate role

    Entertainment star Juliana Olayode, popularly known as “Toyo Baby” from the hit series Jenifa’s Diary, addressed the delicate balance between faith and entertainment: “As a Christian entertainer, you must detach yourself intentionally from a character.”

    Politics, often a sensitive subject within the church, also took center stage. Pastor Lanre Oyegbola, Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, challenged faith communities to become allies rather than critics of believers in governance: “The church should support Christians in politics instead of pointing fingers at them.”

    Adding doctrinal depth, Apostle Emmanuel Iren unveiled The 3Ps of the Road Map to Dominion—Priority, Purpose, and Power—challenging youths to structure their lives for kingdom impact. Pastor Poju Oyemade drew lessons from The Daniel Model, highlighting how Daniel stood out through a life of prayer, intellectual depth, insulation from corrupt culture, and unwavering focus on results.

    Pastor Leke Adeboye delivered hard-hitting truths on humility, wealth, and spiritual backing, reminding attendees:

    “If you want to stand out, be humble enough to learn at the feet of those who are already standing out. Whatever is useful is not left behind.”

    Pastor Olawande further stressed the responsibility of believers to steward God’s grace with diligence. “To ensure God’s grace upon your life is not a waste, you must labour with grace. Awareness is the lowest level of prophecy fulfillment; labouring with grace brings people from the back to the front.”

    Throughout the sessions, excerpts from scriptures such as Proverbs 22:29 (“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings…”) and Matthew 5:16 (“Let your light so shine before men…”) served as anchor points for discussions on integrity, innovation, and influence in the marketplace.

    YAC 2025 was more than an event—it was a movement, an advocacy platform reminding believers that the marketplace is a mission field and excellence remains a testimony of faith in action. As the curtains closed, one truth lingered: the future of Nigeria’s economy, governance, and cultural influence may well be shaped by these young Christians, aflame with both vision and preparation.

  • Times of refreshing with Sinach begins September 11

    Times of refreshing with Sinach begins September 11

    The international gospel minister Sinach is set for her Livestream concert, “Times of Refreshing with Sinach.” The worship programme will be held between September 11 and 13, 2025, from 11 PM to 1 AM.

    Minister Sinach said that this is not just another event; it is a life-changing concert. Attendees, who are set to experience a remarkable time in God’s presence, can stream the online worship concert on SINACHTV/YouTube.

    Sinach is a gospel minister with over three decades of exploits in the music ministry. She has touched many lives with her soul-lifting songs and inspired generations.

    The works of the music minister have not gone unnoticed. Recently, GMA Dove Awards nominated her album “Victory Sounds” for Album of the Year 2025.

    Following the release of her new singles, she has also been on a global tour this year and has ministered in many countries, including Canada, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Papa New Guinea, the United States, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, and the United Kingdom.

  • Arise Congress: We want to raise kingdom financiers, says Rev. Olawuyi

    Arise Congress: We want to raise kingdom financiers, says Rev. Olawuyi

    The Director of Youth and Student Ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Dr. James Olawuyi, has described the 2025 Arise Congress as the beginning of a “new dawn” for Baptist youths, pledging broader empowerment programmes to transform them into champions and kingdom financiers for global impact.

    Speaking at the Baptist International Convention Center Studios, Rev. Olawuyi said the just-concluded congress left him “overwhelmed with joy,” noting that the long-awaited dream had finally become a reality.

    “My feeling is beyond expression. I feel overwhelmed with joy, with fulfilment. For years, we have been dreaming of such a time like this, and for it to become a reality can only be God,” he said.

    Themed “Emergence of Champions,” the congress went beyond spiritual revival to introduce practical empowerment initiatives such as career and business development sessions, proposal submissions, and networking opportunities with employers.

    Rev. Olawuyi stressed that this was only the beginning of a more holistic agenda designed to equip Baptist youths across Nigeria and beyond.

     “It is a new dawn. Our future is very simple, empowering the youth as champions for kingdom exploitation and global impact. If you want them to be champions, some things must come. We can’t remain the same as a denomination,” he noted.

    According to him, the NBC is focusing on three critical areas in the development of its youth: spiritual life, career advancement, and relationships.

    On the spiritual front, Rev.  Olawuyi said the goal was to raise Christians who are not just ordinary believers but “giants for God” across ministry, missions, education, music, and other spheres of life.

    In career and academics, the NBC is setting up structures to raise what he called “kingdom financiers” capable of supporting the ministry with significant resources.

     “I’m waiting for a day I will need ₦500 million for the work of God, and just ten of our products will say, ‘Don’t bother yourself, we’ll handle it.’ To achieve that, we must invest in their careers, connect them to global opportunities, and empower them to succeed,” he said.

    He revealed that many Nigerian Baptist youths had already been connected to international corporate bodies through the convention this year, adding that more global partnerships would emerge under the umbrella of the Allied Youth Network for Global Impact, an NGO set up to drive continuous empowerment and networking.

    Read Also: Baptist Convention launches BAYIA scheme to empower youths

    On relationships, Rev. Olawuyi stressed the importance of building mentoring platforms, strengthening family life, and preparing youths for marriage and responsible partnerships. He warned against the dangers of neglecting issues of relationships and family in youth development.

    “Marriage will make or mar the future. This is a generation that takes the issue of boyfriend and girlfriend loosely, not knowing that it can destroy destiny. That’s why we are giving attention to single life, courtship, married life, and general friendships,” he explained.

    He further hinted at NBC’s plans to groom a new generation of Christian politicians who will rise to serve at the state and national levels.

    “We know what we are doing. We want to raise Christian politicians. By God’s grace, among us now, we already have those in the Houses of Assembly, but we want more. We will mobilize for them in due time,” he affirmed.

    Closing his remarks, Rev.  Olawuyi assured Baptist youths nationwide that the convention is committed to sustaining this new wave of empowerment, calling on them to prepare themselves for opportunities that are already unfolding.

    “I just want to welcome the youth into a new dawn as we create a movement of champions for kingdom exploits and global impact,” he declared.

    The Arise Congress 2.0 drew thousands of youths to the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lufuwape, between September 3 and 6, 2024, and is now regarded as one of the largest Christian youth gatherings in Africa.

  • Baptist Convention targets 50,000 for next Arise Congress

    Baptist Convention targets 50,000 for next Arise Congress

    The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) said it is targeting gathering 50,000 youths for the next edition of the Arise Congress. 

    This followed the massive success of Arise Congress 2.0 which ended last week at the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

    NBC President, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, described the 2025 edition as “an overwhelming move of God” and expressed confidence that future gatherings would be even bigger.

    “When we began the Arise Congress in 2023, we anticipated about 5,000 participants, but what we received was much more,” he said. 

    READ ALSO: TUC threatens nationwide strike over 5% petroleum tax

    “Attendance grew to nearly 25,000, with many more joining online. It was the largest gathering of young people in worship anywhere in Nigeria at the time, and this year’s edition, themed Emergence of Champions, has surpassed even that.”

    Akanji admitted that the rapid growth of the congress initially presented challenges, particularly with logistics and funding but maintained that every investment in youth was worthwhile.

    “At first, we thought 5,000 would be manageable, but when attendance exploded to 25,000, I became concerned about resources. Yet, we released what we had because impacting the lives of young people spiritually will never be a loss to the denomination, whatever we pour into this program, God will return in multiplied ways. These youths will one day take over our churches, associations, conferences, universities, and seminaries as pastors, professors, and leaders,” he said.

    On projections for the future, Akanji said the Convention was not ruling out a bigger gathering in the immediate term with the possibility of another edition coming as early as December 2025.

    “With God, nothing is impossible, we are already looking forward to an edition that could welcome 50,000 or more.

    “If He condenses time, it would not surprise me if we find ourselves here again very soon. What we are witnessing is no longer a mustard seed; it has grown into a big tree providing shade for thousands,” he said.

    The NBC President assured that the Arise Congress will continue to focus on spiritual revival while also strengthening the social impact of Baptist youths nationwide.

  • Tribute as matriarch exits in blaze of Glory

    Tribute as matriarch exits in blaze of Glory

    The true essence of living, experience has revealed is not in the number of years lived on earth, but in the impact, such life bequeat on humanity.

    It is for such reasons that human beings in their existential strivings pursue higher ideals in the endeavour the Almighty has placed in their hands, before the hour cometh.

    For Rev. Dr. Mrs Grace Josephine Evbagharu Omorogiuwa (Nee Aguebor), the home call came on July 4, 2025 after 84 eventful sojourn on this plain of existence.

    The outpouring of grief that greeted her passage from the families of Late Dr. Peter Ada Omorogiuwa of Etete Community and Aguebor of Iguelaba Community as well as Osazuwa of Ayean Community in Edo State speak volume of her assignment on earth.

    The groundswell of emotions expressed since her passing across the country and overseas , reaffirms the aphorism: ” To live in the hearts of those we love is not die”.

    Her marriage to cerebral and celebrated economist, Late Dr. Peter Ada Omorogiuwa, ex- Permanent Secretary in Bendel State Civil Service and Senior Lecturer in Economic Department, University of Benin, produced offsprings that have made robust contributions in their chosen carriers to their immediate constituencies , but to mankind in general.

    A true proponent for investment in education as the best legacies for children, Mrs Omorogiuwa’s guidance, has lifted ambassadors in the field of Medicine, Law , Marketing / Entreprenuerial Studies, Administration, Accounting and Politics.

    As the world celebrate her entrance into the patheons of Saints, her trajectory from active work life through the call to Ministry reminds All that God never forgets His Own.

    Memories of her Life of Sacrifice, Patience and Call to the Duty of God , shaped her Faith into Founding the Love of Christ Mission.

    Her Walk with God , through her various evangelical endeavours birthed many Converts in her first church : before Love of Christ Mission was established.

    As her remains will be committed to Mother Earth come Friday , September 19, 2025 at her residence in Benin City, the family is  full of gratitude with  eyes glistening with both tears and joy, as they  celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Mrs. Grace Josephine Evbagharu Omorogiuwa, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunty, in-law, friend, neighbor, a devoted servant of God; church founder; intercessor, spiritual counselors; philanthropist; and tireless evangelist whose walk with God has inspired generations. 

    Early Life 

    Grace Josephine Evbagharu was born on 21 December 1940 in Ayeh Village, Uhunmwonde local Government Area, Edo State, to Mr. Robert Aikhuemiamiaro Aguebor and Mrs. lghodala Aguebor (nee Osazuwa). Her birth as the first child brought immense joy and celebration; however, her beloved mother passed away just 14 days after her arrival into the world. From that tender moment, the amazing Grace of God preserved her life and began writing a story that would one day encourage many across continents. 

    Left motherless in infancy, her father entrusted her to the care of the renowned Rev. Alexander Payne of St. Matthew Cathedral, Sakponba Road, Benin City, who placed her in a motherless babies’ home where she spent four formative years. Despite his modest means, in an act of love, her father paid 10 shillings from his one-pound monthly salary for her upkeep, in spite of opposition, believing that if God kept his daughter alive, she would one day touch nations. Indeed, how right he was.

    At age four, she joined her father in Ibadan, where he served as a technician in the defunct Post and Telecommunications (P& T). Her paternal grandmother, Mrs. Edegbe Aguebor of lgun-Neynugie, Oredo LGA, Benin City, and her two daughters, [lye Alugho and Mama Grace], played a pivotal role in her upbringing. 

    Education 

    She began school at Salvation Army Primary School, Ekotedo Area, Ibadan, in 1950, continuing in Benin City following her father’s relocation in 1954. Her academic journey led her through Arinze Primary School, first East Circular road, Benin City and Holy Cross No. 1, Mission Road, Benin City, where she obtained her Primary School Leaving Certificate. She then attended Niger College, Benin City, and Ziks Academy, Sapele, completing her secondary education in 1962 while living with Mr. A. Omoragbon (of blessed memory), a man who played an invaluable role in supporting and encouraging her through the challenges of secondary education. It was during her secondary education at Niger College that she met her beloved husband, the late Dr. Peter Ada Omorogiuwa. 

    MARRIAGE 

    In 1963, she married Dr. Peter Ada Omorogiuwa of Etete, Sapele Road, Benin City. Their union was richly blessed with seven children, and together they shared a vision of faith, growth, and global exposure. In 1968, alongside her husband and their first son, Mr. Jude Omorogiuwa (of Blessed memory), she travelled to America and London, broadening her worldview.

    Professional career

    Also in 1963, Rev Dr. Mrs G.J.E. Omorogiuwa commenced work as a Telephone Operator in the defunct P& T, undergoing training in Ibadan. She rose steadily through the ranks, and with dedication, perseverance, and integrity, she became a Telephone Superintendent in NITEL. After 34 years of meritorious service, she retired in 1997. 

    After retirement she established a Nursery, Primary and Secondary school called St. Jude’s Academy. 

    A defining encounter when Jesus Christ 

    In 1988, before her retirement, her life took a new turn that continued to define her until her last breath. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Saviour at the Living Christ Church, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City. She was baptised by immersion by the late Rev. Dr. Joseph Obamwonyi and was ordained as a Deaconess in 1990. 

    From then on, her life became entirely devoted to the service of the Lord. She also had her fair share of trials. In January 1992, she lost her beloved husband. While trying to gather her life together, in November 1994, her heart was broken again by the passing of her first son, Jude Osaretin Omorogiuwa. 

    Indeed, she was shattered! 

    The Grace of God was, however, sufficient to see her through those challenging times of her life, and she was able to gather herself together again. Even in grief, the comfort and Grace of God sustained her, lifting her from despair and strengthening her to press on. In the face of very daunting life challenges, she held on very tenaciously to her Lord Jesus Christ, never looking back until she breathe her last.

    Pastoral training, ordination & ministry 

    After her retirement, she attended All Nations for Christ Bible Institute between 1997 and 1998, under the teaching and influence of Archbishop Benson ldahosa (of blessed memory), where she earned a Certificate in Theology and was ordained a pastor. Her hunger for God deepened as she served passionately in various capacities with the Oasis of Love (Disciples Prayer Ministry), Ekenwan Road, Benin Oty, under Rev. Dr. A. F. Obakpolor. 

    By 1999, she answered the call of God into full-time ministry, founding the Love of Christ Ministry International. A scripture-based and Holy Spirit empowered ministry with its main focus on the salvation of the unsaved and the strengthening of believers to walk more deeply with God through Jesus Christ by the enabling power of the Holy Ghost. The Love of Christ Ministry took off in a single room on Alohan Street, Off Dumez road, Benin City. As the church membership grew, it moved to a new site at Power Line, Etete, Benin City. 

    In the latter years, Rev. Dr. Mrs G.J.E. Omorogiuwa said the Lord asked her to build Him a church. In obedience, she built the current permanent site of the church in Ulegun Community, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, in her old age. 

    Her hunger and thirst for more in-depth spiritual understanding and encounters in the faith led her to Mutual Faith Bible School between 2001 and 2002, where she earned another Certificate in Theology. In 2003, she was ordained a Reverend under Bishop Johnson of Mutual Faith Bible Church, founded by Dr. Keith and Heidi Hershey.

    In 2005, she embarked on a missionary journey to Cote d’Ivoire with 14 other women under Rev. (Dr.) Mrs. Florence Johnson of the Mutual Faith Bible Church. In 2011, she was honoured with a Doctorate in Theology in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Kingdom service by Dr Keith Hershey. 

    A soul – winning to  The Nation 

    If one attribute defined Rev. Dr. Mrs Grace Omorogiuwa, it was her unquenchable passion for soul winning. She was well known as an Evangelist. She preached the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in season and out of season. During her many visits to England, even in her seventies, she fearlessly took the gospel beyond the pulpit, ministering in front of pubs, sharing the gospel of Christ on the streets to teenagers and adults, and distributing countless gospel tracts. Always ready at short notice and never ashamed of the gospel of Christ, she actively participated in the soul winning operations of Winners Chapel International, Dartford, England and Winners Chapel international, Accra, Ghana. 

    In Nigeria, even in her latter years, she preached boldly in markets and churches. In Benin City she evangelized in ring road and her local Ulegun church community. In Ibadan, she frequently ministered alongside her son-­in-law Pastor Femi Akintunde, carrying the gospel with compassion and conviction. In season and out of season, she would not relent. 

    Eternal seeds were sown in countless lives across the Continents.

    Till her final days, she remained a radiant, prayerful, anointed vessel of Christ. A pillar of hope and strength to many around her, harvesting souls for the Kingdom, in love, boldness, and humility. 

    Legacy 

    Rev. Dr. Mrs. Grace Josephine Evbagharu Omorogiuwa was; A mother to many, A warrior in prayer, A selfless Pastor and Teacher, A pillar of faith, A beacon of hope, A passionate Evangelist and soul winner, A philanthropist, A conduit of Christ’s love and light to this world. 

    She leaves a legacy of love, hope, faith, endurance, resilience, wisdom, education, and evangelism. A testimony to the great love and amazing Grace of God through Jesus Christ, which carried her through life’s highs and lows. This, she in turn taught, lived and demonstrated unto others. Her desire was simple and profound, that everyone around her should experience and enjoy this same love and Grace of Christ. 

    We will forever miss her voice, her wisdom, her warmth, her laughter, her prayers, her narration of true-life stories, her gist, and her unwavering belief that with God everything is possible. 

    Indeed, Mummy, in the words of the Apostle Paul, and I pen your name to the same, “Rev. Dr. Mrs. G. J. E. Omorogiuwa fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. She has received her crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, has given her … ” 

    -2TIMOTHY4:7

    Mummy, yours was indeed a life well lived I 

    To God be all the glory. 

    We shall see you on Christ’s return.

  • RCCG LP35 graduates over 400 in skill acquisition programme

    RCCG LP35 graduates over 400 in skill acquisition programme

    Over 400 students graduated on Sunday from the one-week Skill Acquisition Training (SAT) programme organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 35, Gbagada, Lagos, marking another milestone in the church’s drive to empower individuals with practical skills for self-sufficiency and economic impact.

    The programme, which ran from Monday, September 1, to Saturday, September 6, exposed participants to a blend of hands-on vocational training and business sessions. 

    Courses ranged from catering and fashion design to digital marketing, Coding and Robotics, Bread and Cake making, Catering, Tie and Die, and other entrepreneurial skills to equip participants not only with technical knowledge but also with business acumen to thrive in today’s economy.

    Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Vice Chairman of the Empowerment Team, Demola Ogunfeyimi, emphasised that the programme was designed to go beyond mere theoretical training.

    “As opposed to just handing out fish, we believe it is more effective and more beneficial to teach people how to fish. Beyond taking care of themselves, they can also employ others.

    At each programme, apart from teaching them, we expose them to the practical part of the skills. We also have an initiative where, upon completion, selected participants are empowered with funds to either start or expand their businesses. These beneficiaries are monitored to ensure proper use of the resources, which in turn creates success stories that inspire others,” he said. 

    Head, Skill Acquisition Training Program, Mr. Olatunde Adepoju, noted that the SAT programme has been running for over two decades and continues to evolve to meet current realities.

    “This programme has been on for more than 20 years, with about 450 to 500 participants yearly. The main objective is to make socio-economic impact both within and outside the church.

    ”Beyond learning skills, we also ensure participants are taught business management essentials — how to market their products, manage staff, and run sustainable ventures. Imagine if more churches, NGOs, and organizations replicate this across the country; the impact on our economy and society would be enormous,” he said. 

    He further advised the government to strengthen infrastructure, particularly power, while encouraging more organizations to embrace initiatives like SAT as a complement to government efforts in supporting small businesses.

    Joy Aina, the best graduating student from the bread and cake-making section, described her experience as a turning point.

    “When I joined, I had zero knowledge of baking but today I can confidently say I’ve gained about 70% knowledge. Our facilitators were open-minded and thorough, which made learning exciting.

    It wasn’t just about baking, we were also taught business skills like costing, marketing, and accountability. With dedication and further training, I see myself becoming an entrepreneur in the next five years, not just making money but creating something unique and impactful,” She said.

  • Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive futile without fixing leadership recruitment, says Ehusani

    Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive futile without fixing leadership recruitment, says Ehusani

    Former Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, has cautioned that Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts will remain ineffective until the flaws in the nation’s political leadership recruitment process are addressed.

    Speaking at the weekend during the 23rd bi-annual leadership lecture of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and the 25th graduation ceremony of its Leadership School in Abuja, Ehusani noted that countries without multiple anti-corruption agencies perform better than Nigeria on the global corruption perception index.

    Ehusani, who is also the Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, criticised a system that often produces leaders of questionable character, including ethnic bigots and religious extremists.

    “Until such a fundamental error is addressed and the perception of the political leadership recruitment process is corrected, I do not believe that any number of anti-corruption agencies and crusaders will transform our fortunes,” he said.

    The human rights activist expressed concern over politicians who exploit ethnic divisions and manipulate religious sentiments for personal gain, as well as those who loot public resources with impunity.

    He stressed that unless Nigeria confronts these leadership recruitment anomalies, the establishment of more anti-corruption agencies would not yield meaningful change.

    “After all, there are countries where there are no other agencies saddled with the task of fighting corruption, apart from the regular police. Some of these countries are doing so much better than Nigeria in the global corruption perception index.

    “They are able to investigate, prosecute, and promptly discharge cases of corruption, better than what we see in our country, Nigeria, which has established numerous agencies, including CCB, CCT, ICPC, EFCC, BPP, NEITI, Public Complaints Commission, and the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, all to fight the same scourge of corruption. “

    Ehusani argued that values of truth, honesty, justice, fairness, social inclusion, accountability, transparency, selflessness, sacrifice for the common good, and patriotism are often disseminated in the population primarily through the live examples of those in leadership positions at all levels, and only secondarily through training programmes.

    He recalled that people often watch how their leaders exemplify and personify these values, and then they follow suit.

    He emphasized that when people who lack common sense and the values that flow therefrom take control of political power, their incompetence burns through society like an Australian bush fire or a deadly virus.

    The co-chair of the event, Ms Ojobo Odo-Atuluku, Executive chair of Benchmark Advantage and Principal at Lawconsult, said a Chatham House study on Corruption in Nigeria found that most Nigerians disapprove of corrupt practices.

    She challenged the graduands to forget about titles, apply what they have learnt in the Leadership School immediately, since there are no ‘leaders of tomorrow’ they were brought up to believe.

    Read Also: South Africa brush aside Lesotho to put more pressure on Nigeria

    “Become someone who exercises adaptive leadership, as at now helping Nigeria and Nigerians to tackle tough challenges like corruption, where the solutions are not clear and require learning, innovation, and changes in values, priorities, or habits.

    In his remarks, the founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said corruption has long been recognised as one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s progress.

    “It weakens institutions, erodes public trust, distorts development priorities, and deepens poverty.

    “History and experience show that anti-corruption is not merely a technical matter of laws and regulations; it is a matter of leadership and values. Effective leaders set the tone from the top, model integrity, build systems of accountability, and mobilise citizens to resist corruption. Where leaders demonstrate integrity, institutions flourish; where they fail, institutions crumble.”

    Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, said the leadership school was designed to provide individuals with the tools, knowledge, and vision necessary for transformative leadership, who can drive change both in organisation and society.

    “Today’s ceremony brings the total number of Centre LSD Leadership School graduates to an impressive 3,023 (1,283 male and 1,285 female)—proof of our sustained efforts in the leadership development journey.”

  • How land dispute, police gun duel turned Lagos popular market into killing field

    How land dispute, police gun duel turned Lagos popular market into killing field

    The bustling Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, once known as a hub for mechanics, artisans and automobile dealers, is now a graveyard of broken windshields, shattered headlights and grieving families. What began as a tussle over land has snowballed into a deadly clash and bloodshed, leaving traders and residents scampering for safety. ZAINAB OLUFEMI traces how a decade-long ownership land battle, the menace of land grabbers, and police interference haveleft a trail of wanton destruction in the market.

    Every day, the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market attracts thousands of traders and buyers from across Lagos and beyond.

    Established in 1979 during the administration of late Governor Lateef Jakande, the market has grown into a key economic hub. But behind the daily bustle lies a festering land dispute that has now exploded into violence.

    On the night of Tuesday, August 27, suspected thugs allegedly working for a now-declared wanted notorious land grabber, Abiodun Ariori, had stormed the market, wielding guns, cutlasses and bottles.

    Vehicles were vandalised, shops looted, and traders threatened. By dawn the following day, what should have been a routine business day became a killing field.

    By the time the smoke cleared, eyewitnesses who spoke with The Nation counted at least seven to fifteen corpses, with scores of other persons battling for their lives in hospitals. Nearly 100 vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks and towing vans, were left in ruins.

    A market under siege

    When The Nation visited the market during the week, eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the attackers were allegedly loyal to one Abiodun “Akeem” Ariori, a notorious land grabber who has been laying claim to sections of the market.

    One of the eyewitnesses, Kayode, said: “When they came on Tuesday night, they destroyed vehicles and warned us that we would regret staying here. But the shock came the next morning. Policemen arrived, and instead of protecting us, they started shooting. People dropped dead on the spot.”

    Traders alleged that some of the gunfire also came from thugs positioned in a nearby hotel, while uniformed policemen fired directly into the market.

    Families in grief

    For the Adeoye family, the violence brought tragedy. Their son, Akeem Aderemi, was shot in the stomach and leg while crossing the road.

    “I was at Mile 12 when they called me to come to the General Hospital,” his father, Mr. Adeoye, recounted in tears.

    “He was not in any gang. He was a nice boy. We spent over N500,000 moving him from hospital to hospital until he died. He was the breadwinner.”

    Trader Olamilekan Hassan lost his apprentice, Muftau Damilare, to a stray bullet.

    “He had been with me for six years. That day, he was returning from a site with his tools when they shot him in the face. He was married with children. Now everything has scattered,” he lamented.

    Survivors count losses

    Dozens of victims are still struggling to recover from the tragic incident.

    “I was chased with cutlasses and ran to the police station, but they demanded money before helping me,” trader Adenuga Adelaja said, displaying deep machete wounds.

    “At the hospital too, they asked for a police report before treatment. I don’t know if I will survive this.”

    Another survivor, Yusuf Hassan, alleged that policemen shot at him.

    “As I ran, a bullet pierced my leg. Now I vomit blood and can’t sleep.

    “My family has spent so much already. The policemen were the ones who shot at us. They want to take over our market,” he claimed from his hospital bed.

    We just want peace — towing vehicle association

    Chairman of the National Towing Vehicle Owners Association, Mufutau Aderemi, said the attack left his members in shock.

    “On Tuesday, we had closed by 6pm. By 6:30/7pm, thugs stormed the market. Some people escaped with their cars, but many who ran for their lives returned to find their vehicles destroyed.

    “Three of my personal vehicles were damaged,” he said.

    He recounted that almost 15 towing vehicles were vandalised, while five offices and five mosques were demolished.

    “Since 1980 when (former) Jakande resettled us here, we’ve never had this kind of crisis until Ariori started this land fight. If the government wants to move us, they should provide another site. We are powerless. We just want to sell in peace,” he appealed.

    Land, power, blood

    At the heart of the conflict is a decade-long tussle between traders, the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and the Oluwo family, which has had several court judgments awarding portions of the land since the 1990s.

    Market leaders insist they have consistently paid revenue to the government and see the land as belonging to the state. They accuse Ariori of fronting for the Oluwo family and using violence to enforce claims.

    “Owode-Onirin is divided into three: Iron Metal, Spare Parts, and Agbajowo Scrap. Our section has no issue with land grabbers. Unfortunately, they encroached on our land, and that dragged us into the matter,” market chairman, Abiodun Ahmed, explained.

    Dispute casualty figures

    While traders insist that as many as 15 lives were lost, authorities at Ikorodu General Hospital refused to speak to our correspondent, owing to the sensitivity of the incident.

    However, a source at the hospital confirmed receiving four corpses and treating several others.

    Another source at the hospital disclosed that some victims were transferred to private clinics, fuelling suspicions that the real toll could be higher.

    Police, council react

    Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Adetola Abubakar, denied any role in the violence, insisting the crisis was strictly between the Oluwo family and the traders.

    She pointed to a 1998 court judgment favouring the family and said the council had attempted mediation through resettlement plans.

    The chairman explained that the entire Owode land covered 26.663 hectares, with a Certificate of Occupancy issued to the local government in 2024.

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    However, she explained that the Oluwo family had laid claim to 4.408 hectares as far back as 1994 and secured judgment in their favour in 1998.

    Attempts to enforce that judgment were unsuccessful until March 2024, when the Lagos State Building Control Agency demolished structures on the contested portion, which triggered unrest.

    Lagos Police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that Ariori had been declared wanted in connection with the killings. He added that three policemen involved in the shootings were arrested and transferred to Abuja.

    The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a combined team of operatives drawn from the Operations Department, Police Mobile Force, Rapid Response Squad, Tactical units and the State CID to the troubled axis on Wednesday.

    The intervention brought an end to the violence, cleared barricades on major roads, and reopened the market area to commercial activities.

    According to investigators, preliminary findings linked Ariori to the mayhem, but efforts to arrest him have so far proved abortive, as he is believed to have gone into hiding.

    The Command, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, urged members of the public with useful information on Ariori’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or call designated emergency numbers.

    Hundeyin also disclosed that four policemen allegedly brought in from outside Lagos by the wanted suspect were arrested for engaging in illegal duty.

    Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Inspector-General of Police had ordered a full probe to ensure justice.

    A bloody pattern

    The Owode-Onirin killings follow a disturbing trend in Lagos, where land disputes frequently degenerate into violence involving omo-onile (land grabbers), traders, and sometimes security agents.

    A 2016 Lagos State anti-land grabbing law prescribes up to 21 years imprisonment for offenders, but enforcement remains weak.

    For grieving families, such legal provisions mean little. Their loved ones, artisans, apprentices, and students, were ordinary people caught in a deadly crossfire of land politics and police gunfire.

    As Owode-Onirin market struggles to pick up the pieces, the scars of the bloodshed remain visible: vandalised vehicles, tense atmosphere, grieving families, and a community unsure of what tomorrow holds.

  • Tinubu congratulates Mike Okonkwo at 80

    Tinubu congratulates Mike Okonkwo at 80

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to Bishop Mike Okonkwo, founder and presiding bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), as he marks his 80th birthday. 

     In a tribute issued yesterday and made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the President joined Okonkwo’s family, congregation, and the wider Body of Christ in celebrating what he described as a milestone of enduring impact. 

    President Tinubu praised the clergyman’s leadership and contributions, noting that his stewardship has gone beyond the pulpit to shape society in diverse ways.

    “The visionary stewardship of the presiding bishop of TREM has fostered peace and harmony, promoted education, improved healthcare, and inspired economic empowerment across the nation and beyond,” the President said.

    He further lauded Bishop Okonkwo’s lifelong dedication to uplifting the less privileged, describing him as a model of service and compassion.

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    “As a respected leader, mentor, and advocate for the downtrodden, Bishop Okonkwo’s commitment to lifting the underprivileged and upholding harmony and the unity of the country reflects the fundamental values of Nigeria,” he noted. 

    The President highlighted the cleric’s discipline, faith, and humility as enduring virtues.

     “His discipline, dedication, and unwavering faith in God continue to shape our society’s moral and social fabric and inspire a new generation of spiritual leaders,” Tinubu said.

     Wishing him continued health and strength, the President added: “May God continue to bless him with good health, strength, and wisdom as he carries the gospel worldwide.

  • Repositioning Nigeria as industrial hub for local paper production

    Repositioning Nigeria as industrial hub for local paper production

    Tucked away in the heart of Nigeria’s industrial sector, lies an often-overlooked opportunity — the local paper manufacturing industry. It’s not as glamorous as oil or as headline-grabbing as fintech, but it holds the potential to transform the Nigerian economy, ALAO ABIODUN and DAVID BOLARINWA write.

    The paper sector, once considered a robust component of Nigeria’s industrial base, is now characterised by low capacity utilisation, rising production costs, and limited support from the government.

    However, stakeholders believe the paper industry especially the moribund paper mill sector can work, it can thrive, and it can rescue Nigeria from both unemployment and a high-spending import system — if only the government and the people would believe in it.

    Over the years, Nigeria, one of the largest consumers of paper in Africa, has continued to pour billions of dollars into importing nearly 90–95 percent of its demand for white-grade paper, while local producers struggle to keep afloat.

    Meanwhile, stakeholders in the manufacturing industry believe the paper industry could find hope in the Nigeria First Policy of President Bola Tinubu’s recent initiative to prioritise locally made goods in public procurement.

    The Nigeria First Policy, signed by President Tinubu and designed to prioritise locally made goods and services in public procurement, has been hailed as a bold step towards reducing import dependence and promoting job creation.

    The Policy mandates that all ministries, departments, and agencies prioritise locally made goods, with any procurement of foreign products requiring a formal waiver certifying the non-availability of local alternatives. But industry leaders argue this requirement is not being applied in the printing and publishing sectors.

    These stakeholders urged the Federal Government to implement bold policies that will reposition the nation as West Africa’s industrial hub for paper production, warning that the dominance of cheap imported paper continues to destabilize local pricing, distort competition, and weaken Nigeria’s paper value chain.

    A Local Industry with Global Cost

     According to a report from Nairametrics, In 2021, Nigeria imported over $600 million worth of paper and paper-related products. That’s $600 million in foreign exchange leaving the country annually for a product that Nigeria can mostly produce locally.

    Similarly, paper prices in Nigeria in the last five years have surged by over 300 per cent, driven by foreign exchange crisis, transport bottlenecks and rising production costs. As a result, many local printers, despite having invested in high-capacity equipment, are battling low patronage.

    Some key stakeholders argued that Nigeria’s local mills are already producing international-grade 50gsm and 60gsm paper, suitable for exercise books, publishing, and commercial printing.

    However, unless the government increases import tariffs on finished paper and supports local procurement, the sector’s growth will be stifled.

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    A stakeholder in the paper production industry, Williams Sun who spoke with The Nation said: “We are building something great in Nigeria, but we are also facing an uneven playing field. The influx of underpriced and often inferior foreign paper is sabotaging local industry confidence.

    “We’re not asking for a blanket ban, but for fair policy that encourages Nigerian content. If we import everything, we export jobs and import poverty.

    Sun praised recent investments that have stabilized paper pricing and expanded job creation, particularly in the education sector.

    According to him, the consistent local supply of writing paper has already led to more affordable exercise books and improved access for low-income students.

    Looking at the broader socio-economic value of the industry, the local paper production is reviving communities, promoting technical skill development, and contributing to Nigeria’s climate goals through wastepaper recycling and sustainable forestry practices.

    From Cassava to Printing Press

     One might not expect to find cassava farmers and timber contractors playing a vital role in paper production, but in Nigeria, they do. “Cassava starch, when processed, becomes a type of gum we use in making paper,” Sun explained. “It’s one of our most important materials. The value chain involves thousands — farmers, transporters, machine operators, wood contractors — everyone benefits.”

     In many rural areas, people are now beginning to understand the economic value of trees beyond furniture or firewood. “Now they know their tree roots can produce paper,” Sun added. “Even in rainy seasons, they keep working because they earn, that’s the impact.”

     This transformation of local raw materials into industrial input is what industrialization looks like at the grassroots. It’s not just about factories and machines; it’s about people, families, and communities woven into a fabric of productivity.

    Nigeria can shift away from import dependency and focus toward localized, inclusive industrial growth driven by investment, policy, and innovation.

    The revitalization of the local paper manufacturing is crucial for economic diversification, job creation and the preservation of foreign exchange so as to foster a self-reliant and robust domestic industry.

     The Bureaucracy of progress

     Despite the human capital and natural resources at play, stakeholders lamented about the frustrating system, highlighting the issue of slow policy processes, difficult engagements with customs, and loopholes that benefit importers at the expense of local manufacturers.

     Also, there are the essential inputs — materials like long-fiber pulp, peroxide, and caustic soda that are not produced locally due to climatic or industrial limitations. 

    The environmental benefits of investing in the paper industry are equally compelling. For years, Lagos streets were littered with plastic and paper waste, contributing to pollution and clogged drainages. But in recent times, there’s been a visible reduction in this trend — thanks to the rise in recycling efforts.

    Yet, the problem isn’t just about paper — it’s about mindset, policy, and a system that inadvertently punishes local efforts while rewarding foreign imports.

    Another stakeholder, Rajeev Kumar, warned that the unchecked dominance of imports would strangle local investment. He said many entrepreneurs who invested heavily in local production are unable to recover their investments.

    Way forward

    To recalibrate the progress in local paper industry, the government can consider tax incentives for local manufacturers, access to forex for equipment upgrades, access to BOI (Bank of Industry) loans at a cheaper interest rate and the classification of paper manufacturing as a priority sector within Nigeria’s industrial policy.

    Most importantly, the establishment of a Paper Industry Council to serve as a liaison between government, industry, and investors, enabling real-time policy feedback and technical collaboration on sustainability and innovation can help reposition the country’s status.

    The sector currently supports more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs across three regions and could double that figure by 2026 with the right policy framework.

    A Call to Action

     Beyond the bureaucratic challenges and unfair competition from cheap imports, the local paper mill sector needs validation — from government and the Nigerian public. Publishers, educational institutions, and printers have been called upon to use Nigerian-made paper.

     This repositioning vision isn’t far-fetched. In a country where paper is still essential — from education and publishing to packaging and branding — building a thriving paper industry isn’t just industrial policy; it’s economic survival.