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Obasanjo, Abiodun Harp On Selfless Service As Rotary Club Unveils District Governor Nominee

From the left, RC Ikeja GRA President, Rtn. Chinedum Amachi, Spouse of DGN, Alhaji Lateef Bakare and District Governor Nominee, Rtn. Bukola Bakare, during the official unveiling ceremony of District Governor Nominee, Rtn. Bukola Bakare at the District Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State Recently.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has reaffirmed the need for Nigerians to embrace the culture of selflessness in line with the Rotary Club activities to make life meaningful to all.

The Former President who was represented by his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo was speaking during the pioneer convention of Rotary Club and the unveiling of District Governor Designate of District 9111 held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

While commending various initiatives of the Rotary Club which are targeted at uplifting humanity, Obasanjo stated that before anyone goes to bed daily there is need for one to do self-appraisal on how positive one has affected life.

“Before you go to bed every day, always take a pause and ask yourself what am I doing for others? What are other people benefitting from me? What am I doing like the Rotary Club to make life more comfortable for others?

“It is not just by word of mouth that the Rotary Club is doing so much to help humanity, it is what is obvious to all, the good work of the outgoing District Governor of Rotary Club, District 9111, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi and his wife, Rev Olusola Kukoyi is another testament to the love of humanity by this special club”.

The former President noted that the world would be a better place if everyone will imbibe the theme of love, service and consider helping one another to surmount life difficulties just as it is being advocated by the Rotary Club.

Also the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun in his keynote address lauded the club for its various impactful projects and interventions.

Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele disclosed that some of the club’s impactful interventions in the state is Rotary Prostate Cancer Center at Olabisi onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu and the Rotary Eye Center at the General Hospital in Otta in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government area among others.

Gov Abiodun has however identified the need for the Rotarians to renew their commitment to the cub ideals of empowering communities and changing lives in a world where empathy is increasingly becoming scarce.

The governor said “Rotary’s core ideals remain a necessary moral compass. These are not just lofty principles to frame on a wall or recite at meetings. They are practical tools for healing and rebuilding the fabric of our society, ideal and noble for our communities to flourish”.

Abiodun said that it is not just enough for the club to embark on projects but must also do so in partnership with the benefiting communities so as to ensure that such intervention is aligned with the identified needs of the people.

The governor has however called on the people to be more deliberate in rendering genuine service to create a beautiful world of all.

Abiodun lauded the pioneer District 9111 DG, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi and his wife, Rev Olusola Kukoyi for providing a leadership that is in tune with the ideal of love and selfless service of the humanitarian club urging his successor, Rotarian Henry Akinyele to also consolidate on the enduring legacy of empowering communities which is synonymous with the international club.

Rotarian Eric Kimani from Kenya who represented the President of Rotary International, Stephanie Urchick urged members of the club to keep pursuing initiatives and projects that will enhance world peace

He urged the Rotarians on membership growth even as they remain innovative and committed to attracting the youth into the club

Urchick also challenged them to double up on efforts of the club to kick out polio across the world.

The outgoing DG, Dr Kukoyi appreciated the club members for their support and cooperation emphasising the need for them to keep making positive impacts in their various localities.

Meanwhile, the DG nominee, Bukola Bakare, who was the first female president of the Rotary Club of Ikeja, GRA, Lagos State, expressed her excitement at her elevation and the opportunity to further serve humanity.

Bakare noted that a lot still needs to be done when it comes to selfless services and making the country attain its enviable heights.

 
 
Winifred Bosa by — June 3, 2025 in News 0
Nigerian Afrobeats Icons, Twin-X, Return With Legacy Project , Digital Expansion

 In a move to get fans across Nigeria, the UK, the USA, and beyond buzzing with nostalgia, Afrobeats legends Twin-X have officially launched a brand-new platform: www.twin-x.org.

The identical twin brothers Taiwo and Keni Akintoye, who captivated a generation with their timeless 2001 hit “Mother Mi”, are stepping into the digital spotlight for the first time in over a decade. Their iconic ballad, known for its soul-stirring hook “Olu Orun ma pa mother mi lekun”, dominated radio stations, crossed cultural boundaries, and became an anthem across Nigerian campuses in the early 2000s.

Celebrating 24 Years of “Mother Mi” — A Tribute to African Motherhood

The launch of Twin-X’s official website marks a significant milestone: exactly 24 years since the release of Mother Mi on May 27, 2001. The duo reminisces on the song’s legacy through a moving statement published on the site:

“That song changed everything. The response was unreal. The video became an instant classic, packed with legends like Uche Jombo, Steph Nora Okere, Jennifer Eliogu, Kenny Ogungbe, ID Ogungbe, Kwame, and Tony Tetuila — all coming together to celebrate motherhood. It wasn’t just a song; it was a tribute.”

A New Digital Hub for Afrobeats Fans and Music Historians

The newly launched platform twin-x.org serves as a central hub for authentic information, rare archives, and untold stories from the Twin-X journey. It includes never-before-seen photos and content, truthful accounts of their musical journey, clarifications on past rumors and misrepresented facts, and behind-the-scenes insights into their hiatus.

This move comes just months after the March 2025 release of their complete discography on all major digital streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. Fans can now stream hit songs like Mother Mi, Plenty Money, Miliki, Oya, and others — many of which defined the early Afrobeats movement.

Beyond Music: Legacy, Entrepreneurship & Cultural Impact

In a joint statement, the brothers shared the broader vision behind their return:

“Our decision to step out now is about more than just music. It’s about everything we’ve represented over the years — including our growth as professionals and entrepreneurs in media, tech, and academia. This website bridges our musical legacy with our real-world accomplishments across different sectors in Nigeria and internationally.”

They also hinted at the possibility of new music, signaling that while their priorities may have evolved, their passion for sound remains very much alive.

“We hope that we can balance things this time around. Perhaps, there might still be some music to look out for.”

Twin-X: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future of Afrobeats

As Afrobeats continues to gain global recognition, the return of Twin-X is a major moment in Nigerian music history. Their decision to digitally preserve their legacy not only honors their contribution to Afrobeats culture but also introduces their impactful story to a new generation of music lovers around the world.

While promising the launch of a new YouTube channel next, you can stay connected with Twin-X and explore exclusive stories, music, videos, and updates at www.twin-x.org and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Online Poster by — June 2, 2025 in News 0

 World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first-ever position paper on immunization products to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally.

Every year, RSV causes about 100 000 deaths and over 3.6 million hospitalizations in children under the age of 5 years worldwide. About half of these deaths occur in infants younger than 6 months of age. The vast majority (97%) of RSV deaths in infants occur in low- and middle-income countries where there is limited access to supportive medical care, such as oxygen or hydration.

Published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER), the position paper outlines WHO recommendations for two immunization products: a maternal vaccine that can be given to pregnant women in their third trimester to protect their infant and a long-acting monoclonal antibody that can be administered to infants from birth, just before or during the RSV season.

“RSV is an incredibly infectious virus that infects people of all ages, but is especially harmful to infants, particularly those born premature, when they are most vulnerable to severe disease,” says Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals at WHO. “The WHO-recommended RSV immunization products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reduce hospitalizations, and deaths, ultimately saving many infant lives globally.”

RSV usually causes mild symptoms similar to the common cold, including runny nose, cough and fever. However, it can lead to serious complications – including pneumonia and bronchiolitis – in infants, young children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.

Two immunization products to protect against RSV
In response to the global burden of severe RSV disease among infants, WHO recommends that all countries introduce either the maternal vaccine, RSVpreF, or the monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab depending on the feasibility of implementation within each country’s existing health system, cost-effectiveness and anticipated coverage. Both products were recommended by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) for global implementation in September 2024. In addition, the maternal vaccine received WHO prequalification in March 2025, allowing it to be purchased by UN agencies.

WHO recommends that the maternal vaccine be given to pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy, from week 28 onwards, to optimize for the adequate transfer of antibodies to their baby. The vaccine may be given during routine antenatal care, including at one of the 5 WHO-recommended antenatal care visits in the third trimester or any additional medical consultations.

The second WHO-recommended immunization product, nirsevimab, is given as a single injection of monoclonal antibodies that starts protecting babies against RSV within a week of administration and lasts for at least 5 months, which can cover the entire RSV season in countries with RSV seasonality.

WHO recommends that infants receive a single dose of nirsevimab right after birth or before being discharged from a birthing facility. If not administered at birth, the monoclonal antibody can be given during the baby’s first health visit. If a country decides to administer the product only during the RSV season rather than year-round, a single dose can also be given to older infants just before entering their first RSV season.

The greatest impact on severe RSV disease will be achieved by administering the monoclonal antibody to infants under 6 months of age. However, there is still a potential benefit among infants up to 12 months of age.

WHO regularly issues updated position papers on vaccines, combinations of vaccines and other immunization products against diseases that have major public health impact. These papers focus primarily on the use of vaccines in large-scale vaccination programmes. The new position paper aims to inform national public health policymakers and immunization programme managers on the use of RSV immunization products in their national programmes, as well as national and international funding agencies.

Source: WHO

Online Poster by — June 2, 2025 in News 0
WHO Calls For Urgent Action To Ban Flavoured Tobacco , Nicotine Products

On World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organization (WHO)  launched a new publication and calls on governments to urgently ban all flavours in tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, pouches, hookahs and e-cigarettes, to protect youth from addiction and disease.

Flavours like menthol, bubble gum and cotton candy are masking the harshness of tobacco and nicotine products turning toxic products into youth-friendly bait.

Flavours not only make it harder to quit but have also been linked to serious lung diseases. Cigarettes, which still kill up to half of their users, also come in flavours or can have flavours added to them.

“Flavours are fuelling a new wave of addiction, and should be banned,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “They undermine decades of progress in tobacco control. Without bold action, the global tobacco epidemic, already killing around 8 million people each year, will continue to be driven by addiction dressed up with appealing flavours.”

The publication, Flavour accessories in tobacco products enhance attractiveness and appeal, reveals how flavours and accessories like capsule filters and click-on drops are marketed to bypass regulations and hook new users.

Currently:

over 50 countries ban flavoured tobacco;
more than 40 countries ban e-cigarette sales; 5 specifically ban disposables and 7 ban e-cigarette flavours; and
flavour accessories remain largely unregulated.
Countries such as Belgium, Denmark, and Lithuania are taking action, and WHO urges others to follow.

Flavours are a leading reason why young people try tobacco and nicotine products. Paired with flashy packaging and social media-driven marketing, they’ve increased the appeal of nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, and disposable vapes into addictive and harmful products, which aggressively target young people.

“We are watching a generation get hooked on nicotine through gummy bear-flavoured pouches and rainbow-coloured vapes,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion. “This isn’t innovation, it’s manipulation. And we must stop it.”

WHO reiterates that tobacco products, including heated tobacco products, expose users to cancer-causing chemicals and should be strictly regulated.

The 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign honours governments, youth activists and civil society leaders pushing back against industry interference. “Your actions are changing policy and saving lives,” said Dr Krech.

With around 8 million tobacco-related deaths each year, the time for action is now. Flavours, and the industries that deploy them, have no place in a healthy future.

Source: WHO

Online Poster by — June 2, 2025 in News 0
Asamani Recommends Project Efficiency To Tackle Shrinking Aid

George Asamani, Managing Director, Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa has called on African countries and Nigeria to brace up in the face of a possible 37% drop in donor contributions, with Washington   potentially withdrawing entirely.

In a statement made available to the media and signed by Mr. Asamani, he said that “In Africa, where public debt levels are already placing pressure on national budgets and fiscal space is increasingly limited, improving efficiency in infrastructure delivery is no longer optional; it is essential.”

“If the funding tap is tightening, the only viable response is better stewardship of the remaining resources. That means placing execution, how projects are delivered, at the centre of fiscal policy,” he added.

The announcement of deep cuts in US development assistance has cast a long shadow over Africa’s infrastructure ambitions. The African Development Fund, the continent’s principal vehicle for concessional financing, now faces a possible 37% drop in donor contributions, with Washington potentially withdrawing entirely, according to the Centre of Global Development.

In March this year, the US withdrew from the Just Energy Transition Partnership, to which it had initially pledged more than $1.5-billions of grant and commercial funding.

Asamani said, “Even if these cuts prove to be temporary, the damage may not be. Recovering lost momentum could mean sacrificing years of economic growth, delaying critical infrastructure projects, and widening the development gap.

According to him, ‘If the decline signals a more permanent shift, then the implications are even more profound. Rather than wait for fortunes to swing again in their favour, African governments must take proactive steps to secure their development trajectories.”

The Managing Director, Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa also stated that as development partner contributions shrink, governments across the continent will need to take on a greater share of project financing through their own national budgets. That reality is sobering, but it also presents a compelling opportunity to reimagine public investment through the lens of discipline, delivery, and results.

In recent years, many African economies have faced a challenging paradox: rising investment in infrastructure has not always translated into timely project delivery. Historically, PMI data has reported that roughly 10% of project investment is wasted due to poor project performance. Let’s take the global construction market, which is projected to reach approximately $17.05 trillion this year, and poor project performance, like going over time or over budget, could cost it more than $1 trillion.

In Africa, he said, where public debt levels are already placing pressure on national budgets and fiscal space is increasingly limited, improving efficiency in infrastructure delivery is no longer optional; it is essential. If the funding tap is tightening, the only viable response is better stewardship of the remaining resources. That means placing execution, how projects are delivered, at the centre of fiscal policy.”

He said; “Professionalising project management in the public sector is the single most powerful lever African governments can pull to stretch limited budgets. That said, professionalising project delivery is not without its challenges. Many governments still contend with institutional constraints, limited technical capacity, and high turnover in public sector roles. These realities underscore the need for long-term investment in skills development.

“Even a modest 10% improvement in project delivery efficiency could translate into billions in savings, resources that could be redirected toward critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and public safety. In essence, stronger project management leads directly to better development outcomes, without placing additional tax burdens on citizens or increasing national debt,” Asamani said.

There is also a long-term political dividend, he enthused. “When governments consistently implement visible, high-impact infrastructure projects, they build public trust, foster investor confidence, and stimulate employment. In the context of a rapidly growing youth population and pressing job creation needs, infrastructure delivery should be positioned not merely as capex but as an instrument for inclusive growth and economic resilience.”

In today’s constrained environment, Africa can no longer afford inefficiency. Every missed milestone, budget overrun, or failed audit is not just a governance issue—it’s a tax on future generations. That is why national treasuries must begin to view project management capability as a strategic economic asset. Government ministries should collaborate to embed delivery units staffed by qualified project professionals.

Of course, embedding this level of project management rigour will not happen overnight. Strengthening delivery capability across ministries is a medium-term reform, but one that must begin now if future infrastructure investments are to deliver their intended outcomes. Multilateral lenders such as the ADF should also consider making project management discipline a condition for financing to help ensure that funds are effectively used and that projects deliver their intended impact.

“Africa’s infrastructure agenda is too important to fail. But success will not be driven by donor generosity alone. It will depend on national leadership that prioritises competence and refuses to compromise on execution,” he concluded.

Online Poster by — June 2, 2025 in News 0
Enugu Govt Commends NIS For Arresting Suspected Ritualist

Enugu Govt commends NIS, police for suspected ritualist's arrest – Newswire Law and Events
LarryBravo Nwaiwu
The Enugu State Government has reacted to the arrest of the fleeing suspected ritualist and kidnap kingpin, Obi Levi Obieze, by men and officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service along the Badagry-Seme Road, commending the vigilance of the officers.
The government, which also disclosed that the suspect’s mansions at his Umumba Ndiagu country home in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State have already been demolished by the authorities on Tuesday in line with extant laws of Enugu State regarding property linked to kidnapping.
Reinforcing this, a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday, assured that the suspect would face the full weight of the law.
“The Enugu State Government received with delight the news of the arrest of the fugitive suspected kidnap kingpin and ritualist, Levi Obieze, by the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“This arrest has further strengthened our hands in our bid to ensure that justice is served on all the persons involved in the gory incidents of abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killings linked to the suspect.
“As usual, the Enugu State Government has already demolished the property in his country home on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in line with Section 315 (Second Amendment) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State, regarding property linked to kidnapping.”
The government equally commended the vigilance of the community members, civilian and state security operatives for bursting the crime, saying it would not condone the acts of criminality under any guise.
“This administration will not condone any form of criminality in our communities under any guise. Therefore, this is also a call on community leaders – traditional rulers, Presidents-General of Town Unions, Neighbourhood Watch, among others, to be watchful and report such persons to government and security agencies. Those who cover up for such criminals will also be treated as accomplices,” it concluded.
Online Poster by — June 2, 2025 in News 0
AXA Mansard, Lagos DSVA Partner To Tackle Violence Against Girl Child

 

Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard Plc, Olusesan Ogunyooye (left) and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour Adeniyi, after a partnership meeting for the 2025 AXA Week For Good, themed; “Being a Girl Shouldn’t be A Risk” in Lagos

AXA Mansard, Nigeria’s leading insurance company and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has announced partnership to raise awareness and increase education about the menace of Domestic and Sexual Violence, especially against girl child in the country.

The partnership, coming on the backdrop of the 2025 AXA Week for Good will feature a range of activities from both entities. The Lagos DSVA will be providing technical and expert support in leading employee training, public awareness and guiding the various school activations which will be carried out by employee volunteers of AXA Mansard.

 

 

Speaking after the partnership meeting at the office of the DSVA, Head of Marketing AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Olusesan Ogunyooye, said that they are impressed about the works and proactiveness of the DSVA and sees this edition of the company’s annual volunteering and CSR initiative as a way to support and contribute to what the DSVA is doing.

 

 

“For us at AXA Mansard, our posture is that the future shouldn’t be at risk. And if we have to protect the future, then we must protect the children. So, building on our works against sexual and gender-based violence, we thought it fit to work with the DSVA during this edition of our annual global CSR week, AXA Week for Good”.

“We note the remarkable works that DSVA is doing in combating domestic and sexual violence in Lagos and sees this partnership as an opportunity to let them know there work is appreciated, but more importantly is working with them around this shared interest to rid our society of violence”.

 

 

Commenting on the partnership, the Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, expressed her pleasure at the collaboration, describing it as a step towards the right direction in tackling domestic and sexual violence against girls in Lagos State. She noted that partnerships with the private sector, such as this are critical in amplifying the zero tolerance stance of the Lagos State Government against all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence. She added that DSVA remains committed to providing expert guidance and resources to ensure that the initiatives under the AXA Week for Good create a meaningful impact and contribute to the broader goal of fostering a safer and more inclusive society for all.

With the theme, “Being a Girl Shouldn’t be A Risk”, this edition of AXA Week for Good is focused on beaming the light on the impact of sexual and domestic violence on the girl child.

 

 

According to the 2014 National Survey on Violence Against Children in Nigeria, 25% of Girls in Nigeria experience sexual violence before they turn 18 and 15% of Girls of girls who experienced physically forced or coerced sex before age 18 became pregnant. This according to Ogunyooye, are worrying statistics.

According to him, “what is even worrying is that these acts of violence happen to children in environment where they should feel safe such as school and homes; and the ripple effect of these is an increasing normalization of violence against children in the name of cultural norms”.

AXA Week for Good is the flagship programme of the the company’s employee volunteering programme; AXA Hearts in Action, under which AXA Mansard employees volunteered more than 20,000 hours in 2024.

Winifred Bosa by — June 1, 2025 in Insurance and Pension 0
Enugu Bags Hosting Right For NAFEST 2025 

LarryBravo Nwaiwu

 

Enugu State has bagged the hosting rights for the 2025 National Festival of Arts and Culture themed “Connected Culture.”

 

Handing over the hosting rights to Governor Peter Mbah at the Enugu State Government House, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, said that the choice of Enugu for the event, which takes place from November 22 to 29, 2025, was based on the city’s rich history, cultural heritage, potentials, and recent developments which he described as ‘great things happening’ in the state.

 

This was even as Governor Mbah, promised participants a most memorable NAFEST experience.

 

Asika said, “Enugu has been on the news nonstop for great things. We see what is happening and we are proud of what you are doing and we want to be part of it. My supervising minister – the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy – is happy about NAFEST coming to Enugu.

 

“Enugu is one of the best cities in Nigeria and you have one of the best governors in Nigeria. We have been observing everything you have been doing.

 

“It will interest you to note that NAFEST was established by the Federal Government as a platform to unite Nigeria after the civil war, and interestingly, the first edition was hosted in Lagos after the civil war and the East Central State won it. Since then, the only time the event was held in Enugu was 2008. That was 17 years ago.

 

“But it is coming back. We see what Enugu is doing and I want to commend it. We also see especially some of the investment that you are putting in the Awhum Water fall, the Nsude Pyramid Canopy Walkway and other great things.”

 

The Director-General, said the event, which would bring over 30 states of the federation and over 5,000 competitors and foreign participants to experience Enugu, would contribute to the economic growth of the state and empower the youth.

 

“Enugu has a lot of limitless possibilities. I watched the Enugu Tech Festival and I love it. Enugu has a lot of schools than many states in Nigeria and NAFEST has a capacity-building side that will empower and upscale the capacity of these young ones to give them opportunities into the future.

 

“There are opportunities in NAFEST for the creative people, digital people, the content creators, the poetry people. Enugu has a strong background in masquerade and wrestling. These are some of the elements that are part of NAFEST,” he concluded.

 

Reacting, an elated Governor Mbah, said NAFEST hosting rights furthered his administration’s agenda to bring 3 million visitors to the state, annually, adding that Enugu was purpose built for such events, given the aesthetic, landscape, and the topography, and infrastructural transformations going on.

 

“Enugu lends itself to arts and culture. So, this is a situation where opportunity meets preparation. I can assure you that you are going to have one of the most memorable NAFEST events because we are ready and we are hungry for it.

 

“One of the major transformational agenda of this government is to make here one of the top three economies and the premier destination for business, leisure, living and tourism. We have set a target to attract 3 million visitors every year. So, this is already like a marriage made in heaven. We are going to do everything to ensure that the objective of the NAFEST is achieved and we provide you with the environment,” Mbah said.

 

He equally highlighted the progress and huge investments in the security of lives and property, assuring all participants of their safety.

 

“Today, I can assure you that we are one of the safest states to live in because we have built infrastructure to ensure that we nip crime in the bud. But we are not resting on our laurels. We will continue to build on that,” he concluded.

Online Poster by — May 31, 2025 in News 0
Anambra Govt Tours Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market 

. Expresses Satisfaction Over Market’s Situation
Worried by the various reports circulating on various social media platforms claiming that Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, was still closed, the Anambra State Government, on Wednesday, May 27, 2025, embarked on a fact-finding media tour of the market to ascertain the true situation on the ground.
The government team, comprising the Information Commissioner, Dr Law Mefor, and his counterpart in the Health Ministry, Dr Afam Obidike, walked round the market and interacted with some traders, the NAFDAC representative and the market leadership.
According to the Information Commissioner, Dr Law Mefor, who spoke to journalists amid some traders after the market tour, the visit was a follow-up on the governor’s earlier visit in February to ascertain whether the market was still closed.
“We are here for three reasons. One is to follow up on the earlier visit by the governor in February, when the Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market was closed. The governor made a passionate appeal to NAFDAC, asking them to quickly reopen the market to alleviate the sufferings of the people. As a committed and compassionate governor, he will always do all he can to ensure that the people do not suffer unduly. I also wanted to ascertain whether or not the market is still closed as claimed on the social media and still under lock and key.
“I can see for myself that the market has been open since March. We have met with the leadership of the Ogbogwu Market, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement of NAFDAC for South South/South East, and we have been able to ascertain how far they have gone in making sure that the Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market is running the way it should. From the Director of Enforcement and the union in the market, we learned that up to 95% of the shops are now open, and there are still a few shops under lock and key for two reasons. Some because the owners say they don’t have the kind of money being requested as a fine. There are some shops whose owners are reluctant to show up to be profiled for reasons best known to them.
“Overall, I think we are satisfied. For shops that are yet to be reopened, we will continue to support our governor to continue to put pressure on NAFDAC so that the remaining shops are reopened. It’s very important,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, assured that the drug market with full facilities for proper drug storage under construction in Oba will be completed as scheduled, even as he reminded the traders of the government’s commitment to their welfare.
Also in an interview, the Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement for the South South/South East Region of NAFDAC, Pharm. Omoyeni Babatunji said that the data they captured identified people with their shops, adding that 95% of the shops in the market have reopened.
In his remarks, the Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ C.T.C. Chairman, Hon. Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, explained that the market has been open since 7th March, 2025, when NAFDAC finished their work.
According to him, “The exercise did not take place only here in Anambra. It’s the same in Lagos, Aba. And everyone, both in Lagos and Aba, is paying the fines based on what was found in one’s shop. There’s a sketch of the Connected Wholesale Centre (CWC), the federal government brought out for the four centres – Lagos, Kano, Abịa and Anambra. Only Kano has complied and finished it. Mr Governor is building that of Anambra now in Obá. It has been more than 10 years since they asked us to build it. They didn’t go to Kano. It is only Lagos, Onitsha and Aba. And they penalised every shop for that poor storage.”
He thanked Governor Soludo for his intervention and support throughout the process, pointing out that it was the governor’s appeal that necessitated the shortening of the duration of the market closure, unlike the previous exercise that left the market closed for four months.
Chukwuleta further disclosed that it was through the intervention of government representatives that the fine of ₦2 million was reduced to ₦500,000, and the clearance that would have been done in Enugu is being done in the NAFDAC Office in Onitsha.
Online Poster by — May 31, 2025 in News 0
Foreign Investors See Opportunities Where Locals See Challenges – Coleman Wires MD

Photo: (L-R): MD Coleman Wires and Cables industries limited, Mr. George Onafowokan, DG MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, DG NACCIMA, Sola Obadimu and Mr. Adetunji Aderinto, founder Zetamind consulting limited at a conference organized by Business Day in Lagos on Thursday.
The Managing Director of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, Mr. George Onafowokan, has said that more foreign investors are entering Nigeria to establish businesses despite prevailing economic challenges, even as some local businesses continue to complain about the operating environment.
 He urged Nigerian manufacturers to look inward and explore the abundant opportunities within the country to boost their enterprises.
Onafowokan made this known on Thursday during the 2025 Manufacturing Conference organized by BusinessDay in Lagos, with the theme: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Manufacturing Potential: Strategies for Sustainable Growth Amid Economic Turbulence.”
Speaking as the Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) during a panel session, Onafowokan disclosed that, in his capacity, he signs off on applications from companies joining the association. From this vantage point, he noted a growing trend of foreign businesses setting up in Nigeria, contrasting it with the hesitancy and pessimism of some local firms.
Commenting on the issue of multiple taxation, the Coleman MD described it as detrimental to the manufacturing sector. Nevertheless, he emphasized that, despite these hurdles, foreign investors continue to establish operations in Nigeria, and some local manufacturers are showing resilience.
“There are opportunities to tap into. We only need to take a long-term view and be deliberate,” Onafowokan said.
In the same vein, Adetunji Aderinto, founder of Zetamind Consulting Limited and a fellow panelist, remarked that foreign investors often recognize prospects in the Nigerian market that many local manufacturers overlook. He advised manufacturers to reduce costs through technology adoption and data utilization.
“Some manufacturers shut down operations because they don’t understand what their customers need. They need to increase market share and strengthen their supply chains,” Aderinto added.
Onafowokan concluded by asserting that Nigerian-made products, such as those from Coleman Cables, surpass many foreign alternatives in quality. He encouraged Nigerians not to compromise the country’s potential for short-term gains elsewhere.
Also speaking during the session, the Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Olusola Obadimu, called on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take urgent steps to curb inflation. He also urged state governments to focus more on people-centric development rather than internally generated revenue alone.
The panelists collectively encouraged Nigerians to patronize locally made products and commended the Federal Government’s efforts in promoting the “Buy Nigeria” campaign.
In his remarks, the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made a strong case for policy interventions to unlock the sector’s full potential. He stated, “The Nigerian government holds the primary responsibility for creating an enabling environment to unlock the manufacturing sector’s potential. This requires strategic action across infrastructure, fiscal policy, and regional integration.”
Ajayi-Kadir acknowledged the passage of four tax reform bills aimed at streamlining the tax system and praised the government’s Nigeria First Initiative. However, he emphasized the need for swift and effective implementation.
He further recommended making the Nigeria First Policy a binding law, with penalties for violators, to ensure transparency, public awareness, and enforcement.
MAN DG called for establishing structured platforms for regular consultations with manufacturers to align policies with industry needs.
According to him, there is need for setting up systems for timely and relevant export data sharing through embassies, trade attachés, and relevant agencies to help manufacturers access global markets.
Also ensuring consistent and transparent policy-making to boost investor confidence and foster long-term growth. Investing significantly in critical transport infrastructure — roads, ports, and industrial corridors — to reduce logistics bottlenecks and improve market access.
Ajayi-Kadir noted that while recent improvements in infrastructure are commendable, only 37% of roads are in good condition, which continues to increase production and transportation costs, making Nigerian products less competitive.
Online Poster by — May 31, 2025 in News 0