All Posts in "Month: October 2025"

Strike: N’Assembly wades into ASUU, FG dispute

National AssemblyThe House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to urgently return to the negotiating table to resolve the ongoing dispute that led to the declaration of a two-week warning strike by the union.

The House’s resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Oluwaseun Whinghan, during plenary.

ASUU had on Monday began a two-week warning strike over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address long-standing issues, including the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, revitalisation funding, earned academic allowances, salary structure, and university autonomy.

Before the commencement of the strike, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, had assured that the President Bola Tinubu administration was in the final stage of talks with ASUU to resolve all outstanding matters.

Moving the motion, Whinghan expressed deep concern over the renewed strike, warning that such industrial actions have historically escalated into prolonged shutdowns that disrupt academic calendars, derail research, and deepen the frustration of students, parents, and lecturers alike.

“The House notes that although ASUU has described the strike as a warning, previous experiences show that these actions often degenerate into extended work stoppages,” he said.

“We are aware that the Nigerian university system remains central to national development, innovation, and human-capital growth, and that any disruption weakens the country’s competitiveness, scientific advancement, and youth productivity.”

He added that education is constitutionally recognised under Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as a key driver of social and technological progress, stressing that both the Federal Government and university unions share a collective duty to protect its continuity and quality.

Whinghan lamented that repeated strikes in the tertiary education sector have resulted in student dropouts, brain drain, and the loss of public confidence in the nation’s university system, thereby undermining national stability and Nigeria’s long-term development goals.

He called for “renewed dialogue anchored on mutual respect, transparency, and good faith, with the legislature serving as a neutral facilitator in the interest of students and the nation.”

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on University Education and Labour, Employment, and Productivity to immediately intervene between the Federal Government and ASUU to facilitate a mutually acceptable and lasting resolution.

The House also resolved to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to be chaired by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to mediate in the crisis and ensure that striking lecturers return to the classrooms without further delay.

It urged both parties to exercise restraint, embrace dialogue, and prioritise the interests of students and national development above all other considerations.

Additionally, the House called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent joint consultative platform with recognised university unions for continuous engagement to prevent future industrial actions.

 

Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in General News 0
Resident doctors renew call for sacked Kogi doctors’ reinstatement

Nigerian Association of Resident DoctorsThe Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has renewed its call on the Federal Government to reinstate five doctors sacked by the management of Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, Kogi State.

PUNCH Online reports that the doctors were allegedly dismissed in October 2024, May and August 2025 by FTHL management led by former Chief Medical Director, Dr Olatunde Alabi, for their involvement in union activities against the hospital management.

Addressing a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr Muhammed Suleiman, said the association is saying “enough is enough” as the sacked doctors have been out of work for over a year.

Suleiman recalled that NARD, during its recent 45th Annual General Meeting, gave the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to meet a series of outstanding welfare and policy demands affecting its members.

“Today is the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum that NARD gave to the Federal Government to meet our demands, among which is the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja.

“NARD’s demands include the reinstatement of the sacked doctors, payment of unpaid promotion and salary arrears dating back to five years, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent increment and entitlements,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria is facing a crisis in the health sector, with a ratio of one doctor servicing over 9,000 Nigerians, compared to the standard ratio of one doctor to 600 people.

Suleiman stressed that the Federal Government must be holistic in its approach to addressing the issues in the health sector.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent action, warning that if the situation is not addressed, it might lead to a national disaster.

Suleiman expressed NARD’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the issue.

“We need the sacked doctors back to reduce workloads in the hospital. We inform Nigerians about the doctors’ plight.

“NARD is ready to discuss with the Federal Government to reinstate sacked doctors,” he said.

Suleiman stressed the need for the continuation of the current collective bargaining between the FG and Nigerian doctors, as well as other health workers, without further delay.

“That is the only way to curb brain drain. NARD is saying enough is enough,” he emphasised.

Suleiman commended the new Acting CMD of FTHL for his efforts and appealed to him to partner with NARD in their struggle for justice for the sacked doctors.

Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in General News 0
PMI hails Dangote refinery’s project execution

DANGOTE REFINERYThe Dangote Petroleum refinery has reportedly earned a commendation from the global board members of the Project Management Institute, which described the facility as a world-class model of excellence in project execution.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PMI’s board members, led by the Chief of Staff to the global Chief Executive Officer, Lenka Pincot, were said to have visited Nigeria and were hosted by the executive members of the Dangote Group’s in-house Community of Practice for Project Management.

According to the statement, Pincot, who stood in for the PMI Global CEO, expressed the institute’s admiration of the refinery’s execution and its transformative impact on Nigeria and the global energy landscape, describing it as “a living embodiment of PMI’s purpose.”

She said, “At PMI, we have a clear purpose: we maximise project success to elevate our world. This Guinness World Record project is a beautiful example of that purpose in action.

“Everything we’ve seen here is awe-inspiring. Beyond the structures and systems, we also see the broader impact you’re creating for your country, your economy, your people, and the environment. You’ve essentially built an entire ecosystem,” she added.

Pincot said PMI looked forward to strengthening collaboration with Dangote Industries, particularly in sharing learning experiences and project insights with PMI’s global community.

“We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Dangote Industries. There is so much the global project management community can learn from this achievement, from the scale of ambition to the discipline of execution. By sharing these insights and lessons, we can inspire and equip professionals around the world to deliver projects that truly elevate societies,” she stated.

During his presentation on the making of the refinery, the Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, attributed the success of the refinery and other major projects under the Dangote Group to the company’s strong foundation in structured project management and meticulous planning.

“The Dangote Group is particularly known for its disciplined project management approach and robust structuring. This is reflected in the detailed groundwork we put in place long before executing any project, as seen in our other businesses: cement, sugar, salt and fertiliser.

“From inception, the refinery project has been guided by a well-defined framework of planning, risk management, and execution discipline that aligns with global project standards. This consistency across our businesses has been key to delivering large-scale, world-class projects that make a tangible impact on Nigeria’s economy and Africa’s industrial growth,” Edwin said.

Group Chief Human Resource Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Nglan Niat, said the company had made deliberate investments in developing internal project management capabilities and fostering a culture of excellence across its operations.

“We embarked on a strategic partnership with PMI and procured 300 PMI licences to ensure a strong and sustainable pipeline of certified professionals. Last year, we launched the Project Management Development Programme, designed to build internal capacity and embed a culture of disciplined execution, accountability, and efficiency in how we deliver projects across the Group,” she explained.

The PMI Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the refinery held broader significance within the African context and reflected PMI’s ongoing partnership with Dangote Industries.

“Being here today and experiencing this is phenomenal. Partnering with Dangote to witness and support this achievement will be a great opportunity. Beyond that, we’re also looking at what’s next, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, sustainability, and construction management,” Asamani said.

The Head of Community for Sub-Saharan Africa at PMI, Adeola Akande, described the refinery as “a symbol of visionary leadership, excellence in execution, and Nigeria’s growing project management capability.”

“The Dangote Refinery represents the best of Nigeria’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure and demonstrates how effective project management can transform not just organisations but entire economies,” she noted.

In his presentation titled *Community of Practice: The Journey So Far at Dangote Industries Limited*, an executive member of Dangote Group Community of Practice (CoP) and Group Head of Procurement, Shehu Adekanye, said the group had made “transformative strides” in embedding project management as a strategic capability across the organisation.

Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in Business 0
DisCos get N28bn bailout for free meter rollout

NERCThe Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved the disbursement of N28bn to electricity distribution companies for the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund scheme, for the metering of all outstanding Band A customers free of charge.

The order, cited as ‘NERC Order No: 2025/10—Order on the Operationalisation of Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund’, took effect from October 6, 2025 and forms part of the Presidential Metering Initiative, which aims to close Nigeria’s estimated seven-million-meter deficit.

In the new directive signed by NERC Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, and the Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, the commission said the latest tranche would focus on metering all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

“The commission has further approved the deployment of the sum of NGN28,000,000,000 for Tranche B of the MAF Scheme. These funds shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the DisCos and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B,” the commission explained.

It added further that “DisCos shall utilise N28bn of the MAF scheme for Tranche B, apportioned in accordance with their respective contributions for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band ‘A’ and ‘B’ customers within their franchise areas.”

The N28bn will be shared among the 11 distribution companies in proportion to their market contributions. Ikeja Electric will receive the highest allocation of N5.47bn, followed by Eko DisCo with N4.36bn, Ibadan DisCo with N4.26bn, and Abuja DisCo with N3.31bn. Yola got N231m, and Jos received N794m.

The commission said the initiative was designed to accelerate meter deployment, enhance service quality, and reduce energy theft and collection losses.

According to the order, all the meters to be procured and installed under the MAF framework shall be provided at no cost to the customers.

It explained that Tranche B builds on the first N21bn tranche, which ended on June 30, 2025, under which the commission approved meter purchases from funds accrued through the national electricity market.

“As of the April 2024 market settlement cycle, the sum of N21.86bn had accrued and was made available for the procurement of meters under the first tranche of the MAF scheme,” the commission noted.

Under the new framework, NERC imposed strict timelines for procurement, delivery, and installation.

The order mandated DisCos to begin the procurement process within 10 days of the order’s effective date and to submit their selected meter providers to NERC within 15 days for approval.

“DisCos shall, within 10 days from the effective date of this order, conduct a transparent procurement process for the selection and execution of a contract with MAPs with verified and ready-for-deployment meter stock for the metering of end-use customer meters under the MAF scheme.

“DisCos shall, no later than 15 days from the date of the order, submit to the commission a list of their selected MAPs and details of meter inventory, including meter types, brand names, serial numbers, and meter location, to obtain a ‘No-Objection’ approval from the commission,” it was stated.

After approval, Meter Asset Providers are required to deliver 100 per cent of contracted meter stock within seven days to the DisCos’ warehouses for verification.

“Where the selected MAP fails to deliver the contracted meter quantities within the seven-day timeframe, supply of the outstanding meter quantities shall be opened up to another MAP on a first-come, first-served basis,” NERC warned.

It further directed that once meters are delivered and verified, the Fund Manager will release 60 per cent of the contract sum, while the remaining 40 per cent will be paid only after full installation is verified.

NERC warned that distribution companies would be penalised if installation delays arise from their own failures, such as not providing network clearance or accurate customer information.

“Where the non-installation of meters is directly attributable to DisCo’s failure, such DisCo shall be liable to a penalty equivalent to the total cost of the uninstalled meters. A penalty shall be deducted from the DisCo’s approved Administrative Operating Expenditure,” the order stated.

The commission gave DisCos until the end of the year to complete all installations funded under Tranche B.

“The installation of meters shall be completed by 31 December 2025,” the order declared.

NERC said the Meter Acquisition Fund was created to offset the impact of DisCos’ poor creditworthiness, which has hampered their ability to secure loans for metering and infrastructure.

The commission noted that despite earlier interventions such as the Meter Asset Provider Regulations 2018 and the MAP & National Mass Metering Regulations 2021, Nigeria’s metering deficit remains above seven million.

“There is an urgent and compelling need to accelerate the closure of the metering gap for all customers currently classified under Tariff Band A to safeguard revenue protection and enable effective demand-side management,” the order said.

With the new N28bn tranche, the commission expects that by the end of 2025, all premium customers on Band A would be fully metered, bringing Nigeria closer to eliminating estimated billing and ensuring more accurate energy accountability across the power sector.

Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in Business 0
Shell Invests In Nigeria Offshore Gas Development

 

 Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell plc, together with Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited, have taken a final investment decision (FID) on the HI gas project offshore Nigeria.

 

When completed, the project will supply 350 million standard cubic feet (approximately 60 thousand barrels of oil equivalent) of gas per day at peak production to Nigeria LNG (NLNG; Shell interest 25.6%), which produces and exports liquified natural gas (LNG) to global markets. Production is expected to begin before the end of this decade.

 

“Following recent investment decisions related to the Bonga deep-water development, today’s announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector, with a focus on Deepwater and Integrated Gas,” said Peter Costello, Shell’s Upstream President. “This Upstream project will help Shell grow our leading Integrated Gas portfolio, while supporting Nigeria’s plans to become a more significant player in the global LNG market.”

 

The increase in feedstock to NLNG, via the Train 7 project that aims to expand the Bonny Island terminal’s production capacity, is in line with Shell’s plans to grow its global LNG volumes by an average of 4-5% per year until 2030. It will also bolster NLNG’s contribution to Nigeria’s national economic development goals, including jobs in construction and operations.

 

The HI field was discovered in 1985 and lies in 100m of water depth around 50km from the shore. The current estimated recoverable resource volumes of the HI project are approximately 285 mmboe (million barrels of oil equivalent). 

 
Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in Business 0
MAN Advocates For ‘Proudly Nigeria Day’ to Boost Local Consumption

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has reiterate its call for the Federal Government to designate an annual “Proudly Nigeria Day.”

President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye OFR giving more perspective to this demand at the opening ceremony of the MAN 53rd Annual General Meeting Tuesday in Lagos said “On this Day, all citizens, especially public officials, should wear, use, and consume only Made-in-Nigeria products.

“Let it be a day of national economic reflection, one that fosters behavioural change and renews national pride. Over time, such a tradition will strengthen consumer awareness and shift cultural perceptions in favour of local products.”

Speaking further on the theme of the AGM “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria” Meshioye said the “Nigeria First” agenda is not about closing the doors to the world; it is about opening the right doors to Nigerian-made solutions, Nigerian jobs, and Nigerian ingenuity.

“Every industrialised country in the world today began its journey by nurturing local content and leveraging public and private procurement as an avenue for galvanising scale production and economic development. Nigeria must not go the opposite direction.

“As a matter of urgency, we must institutionalise mechanisms that prioritise Made-in-Nigeria products in government contracts, public spending, and private-sector procurement. Existing Executive Orders—including 003 and 005—must be aligned with the Nigeria First Policy and fully implemented, enforced and monitored. Quite importantly, there must be consequences for non-compliance. We should eliminate the prevalence of selective compliance. Now is the time to create the policy framework for transitioning the Nigeria First Policy from executive pronouncements to legislative imperative and ultimately to unfettered and bold implementation. We cannot continue to allow policy inertia to undermine our development potential,” he said.

Meshioye pointed out that “Beyond policy enforcement, we must also establish a functional, independent compliance agency or institution tasked with auditing patronage levels, recommending corrective action, and publicly disclosing performance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. Let it be known which institutions are genuinely driving local economic empowerment and those that are not. And we should take evident and far reaching corrective and disciplinary measures against the latter. Only then can we truly align government spending with our industrial policy goals.

“Additionally, we have intensified the conversation within! Corporate Nigeria also has a responsibility to align with the “Nigeria First” vision of Mr. President. Multinationals, conglomerates, and large procurement organisations must look within for raw materials, packaging, and inputs. Many of these are already produced locally to global standards and should not be overlooked due to legacy procurement practices or cost assumptions that no longer hold true when long-term economic value is properly considered.”

The MAN President noted that for “Nigeria First” to succeed, supply must meet demand. And for supply to be competitive, the operating environment must improve.
“Let us be clear that manufacturers in Nigeria operate under a tough business environment. Energy costs remain astronomically high. Access to credit is constrained by rising interest rates and limited long-term finance. Infrastructure gaps persist, particularly in logistics and transportation. Insecurity continues to inhibit progressive business planning and operations. In general and despite the onset of relative stability, a lot still needs to be done to overcome macroeconomic headwinds. We must take intentional action to overcome these binding constraints and promote an environment that solves for planning and competitiveness.”

He said MAN is deepening its engagement with the government to shape reforms in infrastructure development, tax policy, industrial financing, and trade facilitation.
“We are expanding our research capacity to better inform advocacy. We are also investing in partnerships that will enable technology upgrade, skills development, and regional market access under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“But all our efforts will count for little if the demand side is not unlocked. A truly transformative industrial policy is in the offing and its diligent implementation should support a national demand plan—one that maps out where procurement opportunities exist and how Nigerian manufacturers can be integrated into the demand chains. We must be intentional, just as China is with the Made-in-China 2025; just as India is with the Atmanirbhar Bharat, and just as every successful industrial nation has been,” Meshioye advised.

Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in Business 0
Access Bank Integrates PAPSS Into AccessMore App, Deepening Pan-African Payment Connectivity.

Access Bank Plc has taken a major step toward seamless intra-African payments with the recent integration of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) into its flagship mobile application, AccessMore. This strategic move underscores Access Bank’s commitment to enhancing cross-border payment experiences for its customers across the continent.

 

To mark the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, Mike Ogbalu III, paid a courtesy visit to the Bank’s head office in Lagos, where he held high-level discussions with Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, and Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director for African Subsidiaries at Access Bank. The discussions centered on deepening collaboration and optimizing the capabilities of PAPSS within the AccessMore ecosystem to deliver real-time, cost-effective, and secure cross-border transactions.

 

Speaking on the partnership, Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank said, “The integration of PAPSS into the AccessMore app is a significant milestone in our mission to unify Africa’s payment landscape. With Access Bank’s extensive footprint across the continent, this collaboration ensures that millions of our customers can now experience fast, efficient, and transparent cross-border payments like never before.

 

Our goal is to leverage what we are building together to unlock innovations that seamlessly connect the continent, and we are delighted to partner with PAPSS in making this vision a reality”

 

Mike Ogbalu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), commenting on the collaboration said, “Our partnership with Access Bank is a game-changer for cross-border trade and payments across Africa. With the integration of PAPSS on AccessMore, we are enabling customers, individuals, SMEs, and corporates alike to transact effortlessly across borders, thereby supporting the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
We’ve created a rail, and Access Bank has the network and customers. Within that, our rail can be used for all sorts of innovations. Access Bank can create products that we can carry on our network for every customer to use”.

 

Also speaking on the broader strategy, Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, commented, “Access Bank’s vision is to be the world’s most respected African bank, and collaborations like this are essential to achieving that. By embedding PAPSS into AccessMore, we’re unlocking a new era of financial connectivity for our customers across our subsidiaries in over a dozen African markets.

 

 

PAPSS is significantly cost effective for cross border transactions, which makes it a highly valuable opportunity. To fully harness its potential, we need greater communication, stronger engagement, and coordinated rollouts across multiple countries at the same time. With the right momentum, we can accelerate adoption and achiever the scale this innovation deserves.”

 

This partnership between Access Bank and PAPSS is a step forward in realizing a fully interconnected Africa, where payments and trade move without friction. Customers can now enjoy a simplified, reliable, and faster method to send and receive money across African borders—directly from their AccessMore app.

 

The Access Bank Payments and Remittances Group manages AccessAfrica — the Bank’s proprietary cross-border payments platform — and oversees all remittance activities between Access Bank’s subsidiaries and international money transfer partners. At the core of its operations, AccessAfrica simplifies global transactions with speed, affordability, and reliability.

 

Currently available in Nigeria and 11 Access Bank subsidiaries across Africa, AccessAfrica enables cross-border payments to over 140 destinations worldwide through multiple channels, including branches, AccessMore, USSD, and Internet Banking. Access Bank is a leading force in African cross-border and remittance solutions, we facilitate a broad spectrum of international transfers — P2P, P2B, B2P, and B2B — reaching over 140 countries, connecting with more than 20,000 banks, and operating in over 20 global currencies. The Group also drives remittance services in partnership with licensed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), enabling customers worldwide to send funds to beneficiaries in Nigeria either as cash payouts or direct bank credits.

Dan Poster by — October 15, 2025 in Business 0
ABSIID Project Multilateral Loan Facility: Between Facts and Political Fiction

By Odinakachi Eric Eme

In the last few days, a group calling itself the Abia APC Renaissance Group attempted to stir public sentiment with a publication riddled with inaccuracies, conjecture, and a profound lack of understanding of how multilateral financing operates. Their claim that the Abia State Government has already “utilized” funds from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Canadian Climate Action Africa Facility (CAAF) is not only laughable but also exposes an alarming ignorance of how international development frameworks function.
As the official responsible for coordinating and speaking on behalf of the Abia State Government in multilateral and donor engagements, I find it necessary to correct these distortions and present the facts clearly to the people of Abia. Governance is not theatre; it is grounded in process, accountability, and verifiable truth.
The assertion that Abia State has already received and expended the AfDB, IsDB, and CAAF facilities would have been laughable if it were not so reckless. Those who truly understand development financing know that projects of this nature follow strict international protocols. For the avoidance of doubt, the ABSIID Project is still in its early implementation stage. While the AfDB has launched its component, no disbursement for infrastructure or civil works has taken place. The Subsidiary Loan Agreement with the Islamic Development Bank, which must be concluded before any fund release, is still under review and finalization.
Contrary to the outrageous claim that 123 million dollars has been credited to the state account, the actual amount received is only 115,000 dollars, strictly for operational logistics to cover project takeoff expenses such as staffing, coordination, and preliminary preparations. It’s important to state categorically that this fund has not been touched or utilized. No capital funds have been accessed or spent.
It is important to clarify once again that the ABSIID Project operates under a direct payment modality for both the AfDB and IsDB components. This means that payments for civil works, goods, and services are made directly by the lenders to verified contractors and consultants, not through the state government’s accounts. Abia State’s role is strictly supervisory, ensuring compliance, facilitating monitoring, and maintaining institutional alignment with the lenders’ procedures.
Only the CAAF component differs slightly, as it allows funds to be paid into a designated state project account for specific climate-related interventions. Even that process is governed by a rigorous financial framework jointly overseen by the lenders and the Federal Ministry of Finance, ensuring that every dollar is traceable and every expenditure auditable.
Governor Alex Otti’s administration has distinguished itself by restoring donor confidence and credibility, qualities that were long eroded in the past. What previous administrations could not achieve because of non-compliance and lack of transparency, this government has revived, restructured, and positioned for success. Abia now stands as a model of fiscal discipline and administrative credibility, recognized by international development partners as a responsible, reform-driven state. The Project Implementation Unit operates under full international oversight, ensuring that every project milestone is verified, every fund properly accounted for, and every process aligned with global best practices.
It is quite unfortunate that some politically exposed individuals, who should know better, are now sponsoring smear campaigns against the state, not out of patriotism, but out of envy and misplaced ambition for 2027. Their goal is simple: to discredit a transparent administration that is succeeding where others failed. It is public knowledge that a certain federal lawmaker and political actors in the opposition are giving subtle backing to these attacks, hoping to score cheap political points at the expense of the state’s integrity. Their actions are not just petty; they are dangerous because they seek to undermine Abia’s reputation before the very international partners whose confidence we have worked hard to rebuild.
Let it be clearly stated that such political gamesmanship will fail. The facts are too clear, the records too transparent, and the world is watching. Abia State’s reputation is not a tool for political battles. Those who claim to represent the people must first respect the truth. Propaganda cannot replace policy, and ambition should never outweigh integrity.
Governor Alex Otti’s administration remains focused on delivering transformative governance through transparency, partnerships, and results. The ABSIID Project is a cornerstone of that vision, and no amount of misinformation will derail its progress. To those who peddle lies and cloak them in politics, a simple reminder: facts are stubborn things, and in the end, truth always outlives propaganda.
Politics should never come at the expense of truth. Those who aspire to speak on governance matters should first understand them. When propaganda is dressed as information, it insults the intelligence of the people and undermines the very development it pretends to defend. Abians deserve better, and under this administration, they are getting exactly that: responsible governance, credible partnerships, and a transparent pathway to sustainable growth.
So, to those who trade in distortions and call it politics, a gentle reminder: ignorance is not an argument. Abia is no longer the byword for administrative opacity. Under Dr. Alex Otti, the state has rebuilt its credibility with donor agencies, financial institutions, and development partners. The world is once again willing to trust Abia, not because of propaganda, but because of policy, prudence, and professionalism. Those who spent years mortgaging the state’s image may find this new reality uncomfortable, but progress is often unsettling to those accustomed to chaos.
The New Abia is here, and no amount of propaganda will distract us.

Odinakachi Eric Eme is Senior Special Assistant to Governor Otti on Multilateral and Donor Agencies.

DFC Management by — October 14, 2025 in General News 0
PDP postpones NEC meeting amid defections

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has postponed its 103rd National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting earlier scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

The party announced the postponement in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Monday.

According to the statement, the decision was taken by the National Working Committee, NWC, at an emergency meeting held in view of recent developments within the party.

Ologunagba said the postponement was approved in line with Section 29 (2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), adding that a new date for the meeting would be communicated to members in due course.

He urged all NEC members to take note of the development and await further information.

Dan Poster by — October 14, 2025 in Politics 0
Ex Minister, Pantami, others may leave APC – Party chieftain warns

Khamis Musa Darazo, a strong supporter of President Bola Tinubu and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Presidency and the party’s national leadership to act quickly to stop some key members from leaving the party.

Darazo expressed deep concern over reports that former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, might leave the APC, describing it as a serious political setback for the party both in the North and across Nigeria.

He said, “Professor Pantami is not just a politician; he is an intellectual, reformer, and bridge-builder who has used knowledge, faith, and integrity to promote good governance and inspire young Nigerians.”

Darazo also warned that several influential figures in the APC were considering leaving, adding that the leadership must step in immediately to maintain unity and confidence within the party.

He praised Pantami’s performance as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his work in the communications and digital economy sector led to major innovation, job creation, and entrepreneurship growth.

According to him, losing Pantami would weaken the APC’s intellectual base and moral image while discouraging many young Nigerians who see him as a role model for integrity and visionary leadership.

“The APC’s strength lies in unity, inclusion, and visionary leadership,” Darazo added. “Every loyal member matters — especially someone like Professor Pantami, whose influence goes beyond party lines.”

Dan Poster by — October 14, 2025 in Politics 0