The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of Mr Olusegun Awolowo, the grandson of the Premier of the Western Region and nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He described the deceased, who was a former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, as a patriotic Nigerian who served his country with vision, integrity, passion and unwavering commitment.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday sympathised with the Awolowo family on the passing of the late Olusegun Awolowo.

Sanwo-Olu, also condoled with friends and associates of the late Olusegun Awolowo, describing his death as shocking and great loss to the country.

He said: “It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the family, friends and associates of the late Olusegun Awolowo. He was undoubtedly a great Nigerian, who served his country passionately. He was also a good ambassador of the Awolowo family. 

“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Awolowo family, as well as friends and associates of the deceased. I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant Olusegun Awolowo eternal rest.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Landmark University aimed at advancing meteorological research and deepening climate science education in Nigeria. The collaboration will enhance the collection and analysis of climate data and support initiatives that promote environmental resilience and sustainable national development.

The partnership will also drive policy advocacy and expand educational programs that integrate climate science into academic curricula. Speaking during the signing of the MoU, the Director-General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasized that the initiative aligns with NiMet’s mandate to improve data-driven predictions and early warning systems. He noted that the collaboration will support research in key areas such as drought monitoring, flood analysis, and agricultural planning.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of Landmark University, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oyeniyi , highlighted the institution’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for joint research activities. He added that the university will actively participate in research collaborations, staff exchange programs, and community outreach efforts aimed at translating scientific findings into practical solutions for farmers, policymakers, and local communities.

The MoU reinforces the importance of strong partnerships between academic institutions and government agencies in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. By combining NiMet’s technical expertise with Landmark University’s research strength, the collaboration aims to support a more robust framework for climate monitoring, education, and innovation across Nigeria.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), CG Kemi Nana Nandap, has called for stronger collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Nandap, made the call when she led a team from the Services on courtesy visit to the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

The visit underscored the commitment of both Agencies, key institutions under the Federal Ministry of Interior, to deepen their long-standing collaboration in promoting national security,  identity management, and enhanced service delivery to Nigerians.

In her remarks, the Comptroller General emphasized the importance of continuous partnership between NIS and NIMC, particularly in strengthening border security,identity verification systems, and supporting national development goals. She noted that the synergy between both agencies remains crucial to ensuring a secure and well-managed identity ecosystem for the country.

Responding, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr.(Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to expand its collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service. She highlighted the need for sustained partnership to enhance data integrity, streamline operational procedures, and fortify Nigeria’s borders through robust identity infrastructure.

Both agencies expressed their shared commitment to working more closely in driving policies and initiatives that support security, efficiency, and innovation in the nation’s identity and border management systems.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has noted with serious displeasure insinuations contained in a news story carried by Sahara Reporters, entitled: “ DSS Abducts Lawyer Moses Oddiri in Lagos After Petition on Diversion Of Funds By EFCC Chairman..”.

The story, contrived to portray the arrest of Oddiri “on the orders and petition of the EFCC’s Chairman on alleged diversion of funds intended for a community that Moses has been advocating for over the years”, was falsehood taken too far.

Oddiri’s story is a story of pursuit of self interests against communal welfare. The Niger Delta Host Community Trust Fund, paid into the bank accounts of two Host Community Benefit Trusts, HCBTs, as prescribed by the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, is the bone of contention. Oddiri wanted the funds paid into his Non- Governmental Organisation, NGO’s account in flagrant violation of the PIA.

The background to the payment of the funds is this: the EFCC Chairman, incensed by the delayed payment of the fund to two host communities in Delta State,  directed that diligent investigations be carried out.  Defaulting companies were uncovered and the results of the probe led to the payment of the funds as prescribed by the PIA and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, guidelines.

The funds, paid in 2024, were lodged in the bank accounts of the two HCBTs.  However, since the payment was made, Oddiri has been on the offensive against the EFCC and its Executive Chairman that it was not paid into his NGO account.

On the strength of his illegal and self- centred quest,  the EFCC has called for a stakeholder meeting with community leaders, regulators and representatives of oil companies in the two host communities at two consecutive times, first in Lagos and then in Abuja.  In one of the meetings,  the EFCC Chairman pointed out that, ” our role is to ensure that funds designated for a particular community are not diverted elsewhere, that unauthorized individuals do not illicitly benefit, and that resources are channeled into tangible development projects such as electricity and potable water”.

Oddiri’s gangsteric moves and campaign of calumny against the EFCC Chairman are not new. His spiteful, malicious and unfounded claims of diversion of the funds by the EFCC’s boss had been on different social media platforms, including Sahara Reporters. The Commission is raising a suit against this latest malicious publication by the online portal

The EFCC said it is aware that the same asinine claims have severally been made against Heritage Energy Operational Services, HEOS, Ltd.  Leaders of the two host communities are aware of his egocentric desires and can be contacted for verification.

There are legal suits already initiated against the serial blackmailer by both the EFCC Chairman and HEOS, in this regard, as well as a petition to the Department of State Security, DSS.

While the EFCC will not be stampeded or blackmailed into compromising extant legal frameworks for the disbursement of the funds to the two host communities, the media is enjoined to always balance its reporting and not allow characters like Oddiri sway it into prejudice and blackmail. The EFCC is focussed on its mandate and will continue to act in the overall best interests of the nation.