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GPAAN decries vote buying that marred the recent by-elections

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

 

The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria ( GPAAN ), the nation’s foremost organization for public affairs analysts and political commentators has raised alarm over the recurring ugly decimal of both vote selling-by some corrupt politicians and vote buying by the gullible electorate – which have become endemic in our political clime. The disturbing dimension to the electoral process marred the conduct of the recent by- elections across 12 affected states in the country.

 

 

It would be recalled that GPAAN, as led by Ayo Oyoze Baje, the National President, Lekan Sote ( Vice President ), Victor Anya ( General Secretary ) in addition to the Zonal Chapter Chairmen in Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ilorin and Abuja, FCT has remained an advocate of sustained Voter Education for the electorate since October 2022 as part of the organization ‘s matching mandate in the pursuit of good governance in Nigeria.

 

 

Sadly however, going by several media reports the nauseating menace of vote buying was recorded in Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano states and led to protests that stalled the balloting in Enugu state. It was also one of the reasons responsible for the arrests of some politicians and INEC officials apprehended by EFCC operatives in some states.

 

 

Worthy of note is that the by- elections came about due to the death and resignation of the former occupants, which prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to declare their seats vacant.

 

 

According to INEC a total of 3,553,659 registered voters were considered eligible to participate in the by-elections, distributed across 32 local government areas, 356 wards and 6,987 polling units spread across the 12 states involved in the exercise.

 

 

With regards to the incident of alleged vote buying, precisely in Ogun state two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP were arrested with huge sums of cash allegedly for vote buying during the Remo Federal Constituency House of Representativess by-election. And in a similar vein, the African Democratic Congress,ADC candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, Femi Akin-Alamu

alleged that large scale vote buying characterized the election in Oyo state. In fact, there was open display of financial inducement to eligible voters in some other states, including Kano during the by-election.

 

 

Though the EFCC deployed some of its officials to track down the masterminds behind the political malfeasance, it has got worse over the election seasons. Concerned analysts such as Joseph Amaoru ( National Treasurer), Richard Inumah ( Assistant National Secretary), Sola Adesanwo ( Chairman Award Committee) and Comrade Pascal Chimezie have raised concern over the issue insisting that

it should not be allowed to continue as it is inimical to the dictates of democratic culture. The identification of the root causes of vote-buying and the frontal battle to combat such has therefore, become an imperative.

 

 

The fundamental reasons of course, include the high levels of the twin evils of corruption and poverty bedeviling the country, Nigeria. These, along with electoral violence are fratricidal factors that have undermined the people’s choice and brought forth political predators who have no allegiance to the people but exhibit crass corruption once they mount the pedestal of political power. To them is all about self aggrandizement, as they see it as a business venture through which they invest by vote selling.

 

 

These are evidenced by the disturbing increase in the price of votes now. It used to be about N2000 which later increased to N5000 but reports of the last election mentioned figures between N10,000 and N25,000 per vote. In instances of primary elections, we have seen reports of votes being bought in dollars.

 

 

What it means is that we are not practicing true democracy but plutocracy. While democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people, plutocracy is the government of the rich, by the rich with the dividends meant for the rotten rich.

 

 

As a way forward, the responsibility to stop vote buying and selling starts from the family level, through the religious and traditional institutions to the schools and the community that nurtures the people. It has become a moral burden on us all as concerned citizens to ensure that INEC adheres strictly to rules and regulations guiding the process to ensure that only the choice of the people get into positions of political power.

 

 

Furthermore, the National Assembly should do the needful through thoroughbred

electoral reforms. The least we should settle for, is for election results to be transmitted from the polling units as was promised in the 2023 elections but was aborted by glitches that have remained unexplained.

 

 

Of compelling significance also is the need for the political helmsmen to combat the challenge of persisting poverty in the land, instead of latching on it to promote vote selling and buying. The consequences would eventually be dire for both the political elite and the led majority. Prevention would therefore, be safer and cheaper than cure.

“I WILL RUN IN 2027,” ATIKU DISOWNS STATEMENT TO THE CONTRARY

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

Contrary to recent reports to the effect that he may opt out of the 2027 presidential contest, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has restated that he will run for the nation’s top job.

 

Atiku was quoted to have said at the weekend that have said that his commitment to the evolution of a better Nigeria, outweighs his quest to be President. Prof Ola Olateju of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State who represented Atiku at the defection of several top political figures to the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), in Lagos at the weekend, suggested that Atiku was not enamoured about occupying Aso Rock at all costs.

 

According to Olateju: “Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria, it’s not about being President. It’s about establishing a government that works for Nigerians. That’s why some of us are with him, not because Atiku must be President at all costs.”

 

In a telephone conversation with the respected journalist and media scholar, Tunde Olusunle, after reading the report, however, Atiku disowned the statement. He spoke from his holiday home in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE). “I did not issue that statement,” he said. “When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the instant subject and what my contribution or intervention will be, so we are on the same page. In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distill my thoughts. Prof Olateju was not speaking for me.”

 

According to the elder statesman, “I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable. The accompanying deceit, the loss of values, the mega-scale, unimpeded thievery, the absolute lack of accountability, must disturb every concerned patriot. I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland.”

 

Continuing, Atiku noted that the coalition which he is leading under the ADC is the galvanise popular support for the liberation of Nigeria. He said a platform which was adopted just a few months ago cannot be expected to engender upsets in by-elections. “ADC is leading a pottent mass movement which will shock the world. We will upstage the status quo in a way which will leave doubters dumbstruck.”

Widow using fake pregnancy to traffic cocaine arrested by NDLEA in Lagos

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

As agency intercepts 90 parcels of Loud in kitchen sinks; arrests dispatch riders distributing illicit drugs in Abuja; destroys 75,544kg skunk in Delta, Ondo, Edo, Taraba forests; recovers 825,000 pills of opioids in Kano, Adamawa, Kogi

 

A 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over attempt to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, using fake pregnancy as a façade to escape scrutiny and detection.

The widow who is a mother of one and proprietress of Golden Star Creation, a fashion outfit in Ago palace way, Okota Lagos, was arrested at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba area of the state on Friday 22nd August 2025 while attempting to move the cocaine consignment to customers in Abuja.

A follow up operation at her house in Ago palace area led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in the production of a strain of cocaine. In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her husband who died two years ago, while she has been in the fashion business for 20 years.

Not less than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, imported from the United States of America and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sink were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday 19th August by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI).

In Adamawa, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Friday 22nd August raided the home of a notorious drug dealer Idris Garba who scaled the fence to escape arrest while one of his associates Boniface Nnaji, 55, who attempted same was caught in the act at Rumde Baru area of Yola South.

Recovered from the premises include a black Toyota Thundra jeep marked FST- 885-CZ driven to Yola by Nnaji to supply Garba 354,480 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and others as well as a Toyota Yaris car with registration number DSA 776 AA.

A total of 5,000 capsules of tramadol, 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were seized from a suspect Neche Okonkwo at the Idah waterside after crossing the River Niger from Onitsha, Anambra state to Lokoja, Kogi state with the opioids on Wednesday 20th August.

In Kano, the duo of Buhari Ibrahim, 25, and Mansur Musa, 24, were nabbed at Zangon Dakata Ungogo, with 5,850 capsules of pregabaline on Tuesday 19th August, while a total of 452,070 pills of opioids were recovered from the home of a suspect Rabilu Mukhtar who is at large, at Rangaza, Ungogo LGA just as Buhari Idris, 35, was arrested at Tashan Rami area of the state with 140 litres of codeine syrup, both on same Tuesday. No fewer than 7,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from Adamu Yusuf, 29, along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora area of the state on Saturday 23rd August.

A total of 2, 289.49 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis were intercepted in three interdiction operations by NDLEA operatives in Kwara state. While 1,232.86kg was recovered from a Mitsubishi Canter truck marked ZUR 66 XT on Wednesday 20th August at Ajase-Ipo area of the state with a suspect, Kabiru Abdullahi arrested, another consignment of same psychoactive substance weighing 328.42kg was seized from Paul Olaniran, 47, in a Mercedes Benz truck marked LSD 659 YE same day, same location.

 

The following day Thursday 21st August, NDLEA operatives intercepted another consignment of skunk weighing 728.21kg in a Mitsubishi Canter truck with registration number GAD 287 XA, at Ajase-Ipo junction, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state where two suspects: Abubakar Zaki, 44; and Yau Babangida, 45, were arrested. Similarly, two suspects: Awe Sunday, 50; and Ayodele Adedayo, 54, were nabbed at Alafia Quarters, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti state in connection with the seizure of 96 kilograms of skunk.

In Taraba, NDLEA operatives in conjunction with Civil Defence Corps personnel on Wednesday 20th August destroyed 7,500kg skunk on three hectares of farmland at Dadin Kowa village, Bali LGA, while 901kg of same substance was recovered from a warehouse at Uzebba in Owan West LGA, Edo State where a 54-year-old female suspect Fodo Stella Sunday was arrested on Tuesday 19th August.

In other operations in Edo state, a total of 14,233.37 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on four plantations that measured 5.69375 hectares at Ebule forest, Owan West Local Government Area on Wednesday 20th August.

 

 

In Delta state, NDLEA operatives supported by the military destroyed a total of 25,500kg skunk on four plantations measuring 10.2 hectares in Emu-Obiogu community, Ndokwa West LGA on Thursday 21st August, while in Ondo state, 25,025kg of same psychoactive substance was destroyed on three farms with a combined measurement of 10.01 hectares at Asolo camp, Uso area of the state.

Two dispatch riders were on Thursday 21st August arrested by NDLEA officers in a stop and search operation in Jabi area of Abuja for distributing illicit substances in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While Garba Sule, 29, was caught with 300 milligrams of pentazocine injection, Isaac Augustine, 35, was nabbed with 8.64grams of skunk packaged for delivery.

In the same vein, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to women and teachers at Women Islamiyya School, Kanti Central mosque, Kanti, Katsina state; students and staff of Fathul Bari Islamiyya, Hayin Gwarmai, Bebeji LGA, Kano; while the Abia state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti just as Zone 4 command of the Agency paid WADA advocacy visit to HRH Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah in his palace in Doma, Nasarawa state.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, Delta, Adamawa, FCT, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

Lagos Lawyer, Victim, and Father Praise AIG Margaret Ochalla for Intervention, Urge Others to Emulate Her

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

A Lagos-based top lawyer, Barrister Olayinka Sanni, alongside a victim of police misconduct, Olawale Iyanda and his father, has commended Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Margaret Ochalla, for her timely intervention and benevolence in settling the victim’s medical bills. They described her gesture as exemplary and urged others in positions of authority to emulate her compassion and commitment to justice.

 

This commendation followed a recent petition regarding alleged extortion and human rights violations by personnel of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, involving one Inspector Kalu.

 

Upon receiving the complaint, AIG Ochalla immediately directed the Commissioner of Police, X-Squad, to investigate. The investigation led to the arrest of both the officer and a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator linked to the case.

 

During interrogation, Inspector Kalu admitted that the petitioner had earlier been reported by community members for allegedly terrorizing the neighborhood. The petitioner himself confessed to involvement in identity theft, presenting evidence of his actions. He was later granted bail with instructions to return for further investigation.

 

Similarly, the POS operator confessed that the complainant had once requested ₦4 million in cash, which she provided. She further admitted that the complainant later returned and left the funds with her without explanation.

 

In the spirit of transparency and fairness, AIG Ochalla ensured the complete recovery of the funds, which were duly returned to the petitioner. She also took a step further by personally covering the victim’s medical expenses, demonstrating leadership rooted in compassion. Meanwhile, Inspector Kalu is undergoing an Orderly Room Trial in line with police disciplinary procedures.

 

Speaking on the development during their ‘thank you’ visit to the office of AIG-FCID, Barrister Olayinka Sanni praised the AIG’s actions, describing her as “a true reformist who leads with integrity.” He stressed that such humane and professional conduct should be a model for others in public service.

 

The AIG, FCID Annex, Lagos, reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct, urging the public to report any unprofessional behavior through the official complaint channels. She emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force under her watch remains committed to accountability, fairness, and quality service delivery.

65-Year-old Man In Police Net Over Illegal Possession Of 1,100 Live Ammunition in Anambra

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A  65-year-old man, Godwin Akpan, has been arrested for being in illegal possession of 1,100 rounds of live ammunition.

 

The suspect was arrested on by operatives of the the Rapid Response Squad, Akwuzu, Anambra State Police Command, on August 22, 2025.

 

According to a statement on Saturday by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, acting on credible information, the operatives swooped on Akpan at his hideout in Nkpor, Onitsha.

 

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being involved in the illegal sale of ammunition and mentioned other individuals connected to the illicit trade,” Ikenga said.

 

He added that operatives have launched a manhunt to apprehend all accomplices.

PETER MBAH AS “TALK NA DO GOVERNOR”

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By Tunde Olusunle

 

Come Tuesday August 28, 2025, the cream of the Nigerian legal community congregate in the the historic *Coal City,* Enugu, capital of Enugu State, for their annual conference, under the auspices of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA). They will be the second very important professional body to schedule their converge in the state in as many months, following the precedence of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE), who were guests of the state last June. The senior journalists had more than their fill of sights, sounds, even smells of the jaw-dropping, multi-departmental initiatives and makeover of the state, under the far-sighted, daring leadership of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. He is the soft-spoken, unassuming Governor of the state. Eye-popping educational infrastructure; diligently constructed and rehabilitated roads; emplaced and functional digital technology-led security apparachik and a purpose-built, integrated multi-auditorium conference and convention centre, optically validated the consummation of Mbah’s governance mantra that *tomorrow is here.*

 

Mbah desires food sufficiency and security for his people; he dreams of transforming his state into a global tourism and investment destination; he’s a quester for the growth of the economy of Enugu State into that of a formidable sub-national. He is thus on a compulsive, albeit methodical mission to prosecute a masterplan for the multisectoral uplift of his state. While many other states anticipate handouts from the government at the centre, Mbah has established a tractor assembly workshop, for example, to ensure that his constituents benefit from the agriculture value chain. One hundred tractors have been readied for starters, to support the farm estates which are being established across the state. A vehicle and automotive infrastructure assembly plant is also being established in partnership with *Stallion MG Automobiles Ltd.* This is part of Mbah’s vision for a production-driven economy, away from the subsisting consumer-based trajectory.

 

Monday July 7, 2025, Mbah took daringness to a new height. He inaugurated an Enugu government-owned airline, *Enugu Air.* Enugu thus became the first of the five states in the South East, and the third in Nigeria to own an airline. The state follows the precedence of the Akwa Ibom state-owned *Ibom Air* and Cross River State’s *Cally Air.* Coincidentally, all three airline-owning states are in the South of the country. While the operations of *Enugu Air* will expand in-country flight options for air travellers, Mbah has a bigger vision. The *Akanu Ibiam Airport* in Enugu, savoured an upgrade to international status under the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is operated by a few foreign airlines, notably *Ethiopian Air.* Mbah intends to leverage on this to position Enugu “as a central aviation gateway to the South East and the bridge between Nigeria and the rest of the world.”

 

The ultimate goal, according to Mbah, “is to make Enugu a connecting hub for travellers across Africa and internationally. *Enugu Air* will not only facilitate domestic travel but also serve as a critical link that connects countries to our base here in Enugu, boosting tourism, trade and economic growth.” The *Akanu Ibiam International Airport* is the oldest and busiest in Nigeria’s South East. *Xejet,* partners of the Enugu State government on the initiative, are deploying two aircraft for the commencement of the operations of *Enugu Air.* Flights will commence between Enugu, Lagos, Nigeria’s economic vertebrae, and Abuja, the capitol, two of the busiest air travel routes in Nigeria. Such is the industry and innovative audacity of Peter Mbah. He can most fittingly be described in Nigeria’s pidgin English vocabulary as a *talk na do Governor,* a leader who delivers, wholly and practically on his word.

 

Thursday August 14, 2025, less than a month after inaugurating *Enugu Air,* Mbah commissioned five ultramodern transport terminals in the state. The infrastructures were developed in consonance with his manual for a modern, multimodal public transport ecosystem for Enugu State. Mbah equally cut the ribbons of 80 modern bus shelters built across the state. The aim is to mitigate what Mbah described as “the municipal blight manifested in chaotic traffic and general disorderliness.” Mbah intends for an “efficient public transport system which offers comfort and dignity, and which will fast-track the audacious economic aspirations of his state.” This is in sync with the core desire to make Enugu the most liveable city in Nigeria, where a world-standard transport regimen “moves people, connects businesses and communities.” The intention is also to position Enugu State as a model of modern governance, sustainable growth and human dignity.

 

At the same event, Mbah launched 100 CNG mass transit buses, out of 200 units acquired by his government, a feat without precedence even in more affluent states across the country. The double-barrelled event, Mbah observed, transcended “a ribbon-cutting exercise,” as it ushered in a whole new experience, fundamentally connecting our vision to action, and our action to the daily lives of the over seven million residents of Enugu State.” Mbah noted that the “CNG Rapid Bus Service Mass Transit Scheme and the terminals are pillars of the transport agenda, a multimodal highway to the future, integrating road, rail, air and waterways into one seamless, safe and efficient ecosystem.” The Enugu State helmsman hopes that his transportation masterplan will create “20,000 jobs across BRT; 2,000 hybrid city taxis, airport operations, ride-hailing and support services.”

 

One week after emplacing the futuristic transportation system in Enugu State, Mbah commissioned the refurbished hospitality monument in the state capital, the *Presidential Hotel,* Enugu. Built in 1963 by the Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the once-upon-a-time prototype of post-colonial aesthetics, was a regional pride in its time. It fell into gross disrepair owing to decades of scant attention and non-maintenance. Passed over by his predecessors, Mbah bravely undertook the restoration of the archetype, an endeavour he described as an “imperative reconnection with the history of our people.” Reinstating the 100-room, 62 year old edifice is in tandem with the vision of his government to reestablish Enugu as a major hub for hospitality, tourism and investment. It complements the ongoing construction of a 340-room five-star hotel which will change the face of travel and boarding in Enugu.

 

Committed to leveraging socioeconomic opportunities and developments for the wellbeing of his constituents, Mbah has also been tweaking his cabinet, ostensibly for better effectiveness and increased productivity. He recently created a *Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,* to oversee the investment of the state in the power sector and explore prospects in the state’s mineral sector. In what is rightly a midterm reinvigoration of his team, Mbah appointed a new Head of Service and six new commissioners, while reassigning three others. He admonished the new entrants into his cabinet to get cracking, and to raise the bar of performance for which his administration had consistently received plaudits from the people. “There’s no time for prefatory honeymoon in this job,” he advised his new aides.

 

Mbah underwent the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), in a law firm in Lagos between 2001 and 2002, after being called to the Nigerian Bar, upon graduation from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos campus. He recalls the travails of contemporary youth corps members and thus raised their state-paid stipend from the preexisting *one naira* per member, to a minimum of N20,000 each, depending on course of study. Medical doctors, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, earn N80,000; N50,000 and N40,000 each in that order. Apart from augmenting the buying power of youth corps members who are paid a monthly stipend of N77,000 by the federal government, Mbah believes that university graduates who went through the mills and grills of tertiary education should earn above the minimum wage for general workers. Such is the manner of empathy, the fellow-feeling which rules the heart of Mbah.

 

Governor Peter Mbah has demonstrated that selfless and impactful public service is possible in a milieu where the quality of leadership is painfully razz and degenerate at the very best. Perhaps because he was a very successful private sector player before his foray in politics, Mbah has shown that so long as public servants are transparent and moderate their greed and voluptuous consumption of public resources, there is enough fiscal wherewithal to work for the people and impact their lives. Public resources are not the personal preserve of office holders, most of whom are wont to dishonestly keep chunks for themselves and dispense crumbs to the people. Mbah continues to stride gingerly towards achieving the goal of improving the economy of Enugu State from the present $4.4Billion, to $30Billion, within a time frame of eight years. He is chalking up successes because he has poured himself wholly, honestly and selflessly into his assignment, cognisant that the verdict of history awaits. Nigeria will be better with more Peter Ndubuisi Mbahs.

 

 

*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow, Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja*

Meet Ihunde Grace, CEO Shugabox Food Ventures

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By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Quote:

“We live in a country where the cost of living is almost killing the living because every product is on the high side. Nothing is cheap again in the country. Let the government reduce the cost of living “

– Ihunda Grace

As the economy bites harder, due mainly to government policies that are unfavorable to the masses yours truly has been out there engaging with operators of small and medium scale businesses.The questions that come to mind include how it all started, the challenges they have faced and how they are coping with them?

Others have to do with their training and marketing programs, what they want the government to do for them as citizens of Nigeria because whether our crop of political leaders like it or not, they were elected to meet the needs of the people, and provide the enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

So, this week the interaction is with IHUNDE ANOINTED GRACE , CEO SHUGABOX . A graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo state Nigeria who is both a baker and a caterer. Stated below are her responses to the questions given to her:

“I cater for all events providing my esteemed customerd with amazing meals, as well as mouth – watering cakes and yummiest small chops ..

“I started baking as a 200 level student in 2017 selling cupcakes in school just to keep up and pay my minor academic bills. I have been baking for nine years and I’ve trained over 400 students online and on site. Now we’re into food catering full-time so we’re not just into baking , we started from just baking , but as time went by within nine years, I ventured into catering full-time, and our business is fully registered and

trademarked under CAC

WHAT GAVE ME THE INSPIRATION TO GO INTO FOOD BUSINESS

“I got the inspiration to go into food business in my university days firstly, because I wanted to assist in paying some bills but overtime it grew into doing it because I needed to provide good meals and services to people. It became something I loved doing though most times in exchange for money, but I derived satisfaction in doing it.

“I started this in Edo state state Nigeria, nine years ago, but today we travel interstate and sometimes out of Nigeria, to render goods and services.

THE INITIAL CHALLENGES I FACED

“The initial challenge I faced as a new business owner was capital. My mom literally had to start selling cake items back then just so I could buy on credit. Then also not having an oven was a major challenge because I had to use my mom’s pot to bake, which was stressful because I needed to bake at least 75 cupcakes every night and this pot could only take 18 at a time. I used to take this cupcakes to school, waiting to sell them in class after lectures .

“I bypassed this challenge when I had to save all my school fees at a time to get my oven with the hope that I was going to make sales and pay back the school fees, which I did.

OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS

“For our training programs, now we have six – month courses. We have four -month courses for persons interested to learn, baking, and catering within Ekpoma Edo state. We are also working on a project where people outside Edo state can come with accommodation provided for them just so they can learn.

OUR MARKETING STRATEGIES

“Marketing strategies involve personally putting myself out there to sell my products. I love to be found in the right place, at the right time that has people for my business, My target audience also pay influencers, People also well known within our area carry our adverts for us . By so doing they are exposing us to a wider audience.

WHAT PARTNERSHIP AM I INTO?

“We have partnerships with some organizations and also with some personal business owners. We tend to supply our products to them for particular period of time.

” During their ceremonies or

events we are always called upon to render our services. but we look forward to having more partners, or having to partner with bigger brands, restaurant, lounges, or whatsoever where we can supply our products to you, you can resell or you can use as part of your entertainment and souvenirs to your guests.

HOW AM I COPING WITH THE HARSH ECONOMY?

“I must say it is tough for everyone in the country. At the moment some things are not how they used to be. People aren’t as happy and active like they used to be., and this really has a way of affecting businesses. A lot of people complain about money and when your clients do not have that it affects your business as well, so yeah, the economy is affecting everybody, but we hope and we pray and we keep putting our business out there and believe it will get better.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO FOR YOU?

“We live in a country where the cost of living is almost killing the living because everything is on the high side. Every product is on the high side. Nothing is cheap again in the country so if I would ask, the government for one thing is to please reduce the cost of living if that’s even possible in this country because it’s not easy for anybody.

MY PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUTHS HAT WANT TO GO INTO FOOD BUSINESS

“One piece of advice to youths that want to venture into food business is that the best time to start is now.. There cannot be so many food vendors in the industry. Food is one essential thing that everybody must get. you must eat food. so my advice is if you’re thinking of starting the food business, with the right niche, the right product, you can actually succeed in it. You may start small but trust me with time and the right promotions you can get what you want .

WHAT ARE MY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE AND HOW DO I RELAX

“My dreams are so big , I look forward to the future, where money is no longer the problem, where I can reach wider audience ,where i can get my product and services to important and influential people in the world; .that’s my dream ,that’s the future I hope for.

“To relax is not always easy. Resting for my kind of business I always most times would encounter health issues , reasons being that I grew up having to figure things out myself so I want to always work.

“Most times it affects my health big time but one way I’ve learnt to manage health issues is to take time when I just need it .so when I just want to relax sometimes I just travel sometimes, I hang out with friends .That way I get to have time to think outside work because honestly, it’s not always easy, balancing these things.”

One hopes, and fervently so that our policy makers make out time to listen to the voices of those who pilot the affairs of SMEs in this country and do everything humanly possible to ease their pains.

CORNELIUS OLATUNJI ADEBAYO (FEB 24, 1941 TO JUNE 25, 2025): A LIFE OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

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By Tunde Olusunle

 

He was already a household name in the old Kwara State by the time I first heard of him. “Old Kwara State” within this context will include the sprawling Borgu part of contemporary Niger State, and the Okun-Yoruba and Ebira sections of today’s Kogi State. The August 27, 1991 states creation exercise carried out by the administration of former military President Ibrahim Babangida, detached the aforementioned parts of the original Kwara State, and realigned them with their present geopolitical entities. Raised in the former North Central, (now Kaduna) and Midwestern, (now Edo), my first ever visit to Ilorin the capital of Kwara State was in 1980. My parents took a decision to seek new opportunities in what was then their home state, Kwara, which necessitated the wholesale relocation of the family. I had completed secondary school education in Benin City and tertiary education was on the cards.

 

Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, more popularly known as *C O Adebayo* was already a prominent public figure by this time, having served in the administrations of a string of military governors in the state. Notably, he served under Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo who was assassinated in the February 13, 1976 coup in which the then Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed was also murdered. Colonel George Agbazika Innih who succeeded Taiwo retained Adebayo, whose versatility saw him serve in the ministries of Education, Information and Economic Development, at various times. It was in the Ministry of Education, however, where he made the greatest mark, facilitating the abolition of the “shift system” in primary schools in the state. This saw a set of students resume in the mornings and close from school in the afternoons, while another batch resumed in the afternoons and returned home in the evenings. He found this inconveniencing for toddlers and young teenagers. He equally contributed towards increasing the stock of classrooms in secondary schools in the vast old Kwara State.

 

I was admitted into the School of Basic Studies, (SBS), of the erstwhile Kwara State College of Technology, (Kwaratech), late 1980, and would find out that Chief CO Adebayo occupied a folkloric place in regular discourse within the institution’s community. English, History and Economics were my subjects, and he was the pioneer head of the Department of English back in 1973, when the SBS was established. His colleagues spoke very fondly about him, especially about the creditable manner he acquitted himself in political office. His altruism earned him popular nomination as Senator representing present day Kwara South Senatorial District, at the outset of the Second Republic in 1979. As the race for Government House, Ilorin, heated up ahead of the gubernatorial election of 1983, *CO Adebayo* who flew the flag of the Unity Party of Nigeria, (UPN), was the clear favourite in popular discourse. He eventually upstaged the incumbent, Alhaji Adamu Atta and was inaugurated on October 1, 1983. As he settled down to infuse the governance progressivism characteristic of the UPN governments in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Bendel and Oyo states, known by the acronym *LOOBO states,* however, the military struck December 31, 1983.

 

*Baba CO* was at the forefront of the clamour for the revalidation of the mandate of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, annulled by General Babangida. He was indeed targeted by General Sani Abacha, who shoved aside the Interim National Government, (ING), hurriedly emplaced by a departing Babangida in August 1993, under the leadership of Chief Ernest Shonekan. *Baba CO,* who turned down Abacha’s ministerial offer, was a prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition, (NADECO), a broad-based group of pro-democracy advocates, considered insufferable irritants by the Abacha junta. Many members of the coalition were hounded, harassed and hunted like game by Abacha agents. Fleeing danger was being alive to fight another day, even as *Baba CO* followed the wise precedence of other activists like Prof Wole Soyinka, incumbent President Bola Tinubu, and so on, who fled to safety in foreign lands.

 

It was the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who would eventually bring me face to face with *Baba CO* a precursor I had revered from a distance through the years. I had already been on the staff of the erstwhile President, when *Baba CO* was appointed Minister for Communications in 2003. He joined the Federal Executive Council on the same day with Prof Eyitayo Lambo, who was Minister for Health. I had heard so much about Emeritus Prof Lambo as a student of the University of Ilorin, where he was before moving around the world in the service of the World Health Organisation, (WHO). Prof Albert Anjorin, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pathology at my alma mater, Unilorin, a respected mentor, spoke ever so often about “my good friend Eyitayo Lambo” in our frequent meetings during my years in Kwara State. Coincidentally, Prof Lambo and I, both come from the same community, Isanlu, Yagba East council area in Kogi State. He did immensely for health and overall wellbeing of our people in Yagbaland and Okunland in general, during and after his sojourn in government. *Baba CO* and Prof Lambo had a very long relationship dating back to the old Kwara State, and now found themselves serving in the same federal cabinet.

 

Away from the quasi-mythical mental picture I had of him for his looming profile, *Baba CO* was so very disarmingly humble, unassuming, down-to-earth and accessible when I eventually met him. For a man who was already a university student at the famous Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), even before I was born, not for once did he call me by my first name. Indeed, I was always uncomfortable whenever he grabbed my hands and called me “my brother.” How can I be this much older man’s brother and not son, I would wonder, deep inside of me. At the berthing of mobile telephony under his watch as Minister for Communications, I engaged him on a number of occasions, on the sidelines of the federal cabinet meetings, about the thirst of rural communities for integration with the global communications highway. He knew my subtle advocacy took into account the desires of our people in Kogi West and Okunland, and would always remind me about the travails of the Igbomina people of Kwara State in the hands of successive governments.

 

“The fates of our people, our areas, are tied,” he would tell me. “Extending communications services to Igbomina, is ensuring services in Okunland. It is an objective that must be achieved by the grace of God.” He had a stint in the Federal Ministry of Works in the concluding months of the Obasanjo administration. *Baba CO* graciously honoured my invite to be one of the special guests at the public presentation of my volume of essays which documented the Obasanjo presidency titled: *On The Trail Of History: A Reporter’s Notebook On Olusegun Obasanjo.* Typically, he was one of the earliest arrivals, never given to duplicitous “African” timing. Prof Lambo represented President Obasanjo at the event which held in December 2006.

 

*Baba CO* was built of steel and mortar. Not many people would have survived as long as he did, against the backdrop of some discomforting experiences he had in life. September 12, 2014, he lost his wife, Mrs Funmilayo Adebayo, after a protracted illness. Six years thereafter, his daughter, Mrs Diekola Osa Avielele, passed on July 16, 2020, just about a week after having her son, in Virginia, United States. Two years before her demise, she recalled in an interview she granted, that as Senator representing present day Kwara South during the Second Republic, her father indeed “returned his unspent estacode, after an official trip to Russia.” Such was the openness and transparency of *Baba CO.* Each of the unfortunate departures of his beloved wife and daughter, was more than enough to break mere mortals. But *Baba CO* soldiered on, ensuring that his other children, grandchildren and members of the extended family, had a solid patriarchal shoulder to lean on.

 

From the classroom; to the State Executive Council; to the Senate of the Federal Republic; through his travails in the hands of Abacha goons; to the Federal Executive Council, *Baba CO’s* was a life of dedicated service and selfless sacrifice. He epitomised hardwork, forthrightness, frugality, integrity and inalienable commitment to the development of his fatherland. These are qualities which are missing in the operations manual of most of today’s political figures, who are basically vultures and buccaneers. Until his departure on Wednesday June 25, 2025, *Baba CO* was one of the last standing exemplars of authentic ideological progressivism and substantial political puritanism. We don’t make them anymore. He will be thoroughly missed back home in his birthplace, Oke-Onigbin; in Igbominaland; in Kwara South; in Kwara State and Nigeria in general. He was a great man in by every definition. May the good Lord rest his gentle soul.

 

 

*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja*

How man killed his 5-year-old cousin after parents failed to pay ransom – Police

Posted on by admin50

 

 

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction and killing of a five-year-old boy in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

 

Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, identified the suspects as Ikediekpere Obodoagu (18) and Sunday Michael (24).

 

According to the statement, Obodoagu, the prime suspect, allegedly conspired with Michael to carry out the heinous crime, which has shocked the local community.

 

The victim, Wisdom, was the prime suspect’s cousin. They hail from Okinitor village, Amankwo Ngwo, a community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu.

The alleged accomplice is a security guard at 9th Mile and a native of Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria’s north-east.

 

Mr Ndukwe said the victim was reported missing on 26 July 2025 after which the prime suspect used his accomplice to demand N1 million ransom from the victim’s father.

 

The police spokesperson explained that the prime suspect’s use of an accomplice to demand ransom was an attempt to protect his identity.

 

He said the suspects were arrested on 11 and 12 August 2025 by police operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, following intelligence gathered after ransom demands were reported.

 

“When the ransom went unmet, the suspect murdered the child and buried him in a bush near their residence in Okinitor, Amankwo Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area,” he said.

 

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime. The prime suspect thereafter led operatives to the scene, where the victim’s body was exhumed in the presence of medical personnel, including a doctor, who certified the child dead,” Mr Ndukwe narrated.

 

Mr Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bitrus Giwa, has commiserated with the bereaved family and assured them that the suspects will be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.

 

Mr Giwa reiterated that the police in the state are committed to detecting and preventing heinous crimes and ensuring justice in the state.

Afrobasket: D’Tigers eliminated, lose chance at Tinubu’s $100,000 cash reward

Posted on by admin50

 

 

Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have bowed out of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Championship in Angola after falling 91-75 to Senegal in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

 

The game began on a promising note for the Nigerian side, who edged the first quarter 24-23. However, their momentum quickly slipped away in the second quarter as Senegal dominated with a 30-13 run, creating a gap D’Tigers could not recover from.

 

The five-time Afrobasket champions, Senegal, further tightened their grip in the third quarter, outscoring Nigeria 23-13 and effectively sealing the contest before the final buzzer.

 

Despite a spirited effort in the final quarter, where D’Tigers managed to outscore their female counterparts who recently claimed the women’s version of the competition for the fifth consecutive time, will miss out on the $100,000 reward offered by President Bola Tinubu.