All Posts in "Dan Poster"

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
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
DSS arrests armed dealer, intercepts sophisticated weapons in Delta

The Department of State Services, DSS, in Delta State has intercepted a cache of sophisticated weapons in Asaba, the state capital. The operation, which took place on October 12, 2025, within the Asaba metropolis, led to the arrest of a notorious arms dealer, identified as Stephen Sabo Atoshi, and his accomplice, a 40-year-old secondary school teacher from Taraba State.

The Deputy Director of Operations of the Delta State Command of the DSS, Mr Anthony Ifemeje, while briefing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday in Asaba, revealed that the suspects were part of a network trafficking small arms and light weapons from Sebha in southern Libya through Chad into Nigeria via an illegal border in Geidam, Yobe State.

Ifemeje disclosed that “during interrogation, the prime suspect confessed to garnering eight years in the illegal trade and to having supplied over 55 weapons, including general purpose machine guns and AK-47 rifles, across the country.”

He assured the government of the command’s continued vigilance and determination to cut off arms supply routes and dismantle criminal networks operating in Delta.

Items recovered included seven general purpose machine guns, several AK-47 rifles, five hand grenades, and other military-grade weapons, some concealed in bags of beans transported from the North to the Oko Food Market along the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway. The DSS also uncovered 497 cartons of fake drugs intended for distribution within the state.

In his reaction, Governor Oborevwori ordered a comprehensive crackdown on criminal networks following the interception. The governor, who gave the directive, commended the agency for what he described as a major breakthrough in the state’s sustained fight against insecurity.

He praised the DSS and other security agencies for their “strategic intelligence, coordination, and determination,” which led to the recovery of the arms, adding that the success reflected Delta State’s strong commitment to peace and public safety.

The governor warned that his administration would not tolerate any form of insecurity or lawlessness, particularly in Warri and its environs.

“Bringing in heavy arms and ammunition of this nature is unacceptable and a direct threat to our collective peace. We will not allow it under any circumstance,” he stressed, urging residents to cooperate with security agencies to keep the state safe.

“I am very delighted to be here today. I had to leave another important engagement to be here because the breakthrough recorded by our security agencies is highly commendable and significant to the peace and safety of our state,” Oborevwori said.

“Those who are planning to cause crises should have a rethink: we want peace, not trouble. We are working tirelessly to open up Warri for investors and economic growth, but where there is violence, investors will stay away,” he cautioned.

Oborevwori also warned that anyone involved in killings, violence, or arms smuggling would be tracked down and prosecuted. He stressed that Delta State remained a peaceful and investor-friendly state and vowed to resist any attempt to destabilise it.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and ensuring that no individual or group “takes law into their own hands”, emphasising Delta’s focus on unity, development, and security.

Dan Poster by — October 14, 2025 in General News 0
‘Enough is enough’ – NCAA warns airlines delaying refunds

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has warned domestic airlines against arbitrarily extending the refund period for cancelled or unused tickets to four weeks.

This was contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, posted via his official X handle on Monday.

Achimugu, who said this is in direct contravention of existing regulations, stressed that rules on ticket refunds are unambiguous.

He stated that in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, passengers are entitled to receive their refunds within 14 days of making a formal request and not four weeks, as some airlines have allegedly claimed.

“Domestic airlines NEED to stop telling passengers that their refund process takes four weeks. There can’t be two captains-in-command on an aircraft.

“The NCAA regulations are clear about the timeframe for ticket refunds, and it is 14 days. Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 remains in force. Operators cannot create a different rule in this regard,” he stated.

The NCAA spokesperson frowned on the growing trend of non-compliance, describing the same as a duplication of the aviation rules and undermining the NCAA’s mandate, adding that such acts of some airlines were not only unprofessional but also unfair to passengers.

He urged affected passengers to report any such violations to enforce compliance.

He said, “To all passengers: if you apply for a refund and an airline tells you that it would take 4 weeks, kindly forward that communication to michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng, ifueko.abdulmalik@ncaa.gov.ng, and cpd@ncaa.gov.ng immediately.

“Enough of this. We cannot all claim to be working for the improvement of the industry and be duplicating rules in a manner that undermines the Authority and is unfair to passengers,” he added.

Dan Poster by — October 14, 2025 in General News 0
Kwara South G7 leaders move to tackle insecurity

Map of Kwara StateIn a renewed effort to address rising insecurity and political disunity in Kwara South, key political figures, traditional leaders, and youth representatives under the aegis of Kwara South G7 converged on Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, on Sunday for a Political Hangout aimed at fostering unity and good governance across the district.

The G7, which comprises the seven local government areas of Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Offa, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Oyun, and Isin, in Kwara South said the event was conceived to provide a platform for honest dialogue and collective action toward restoring peace and political stability in the region.

Speaking at the event, the chief host and coordinator of the group, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju, said the initiative was driven by concern over the district’s declining security and weakening political cohesion.

“Our people are living in fear. Communities have suffered repeated attacks, and our farms and roads are no longer safe.

“We can only make progress if we rise above party differences and work together to protect our region and build its future,” he said.

Olanrewaju commended the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s efforts in combating insecurity, as well as the Deputy Senate Leader and Senator representing Kwara South  Oyelola Ashiru, for drawing national attention to the region’s plight.

“The governor has shown commitment, and Senator Ashiru’s voice at the National Assembly has further put our security challenges on the map,” Olanrewaju added.

The group coordinator, who reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to the All Progressives Congress, described the party as the “natural political DNA of the Yoruba people of Kwara South,” urging members to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We must support leaders with integrity and proven performance. Kwara South will never again be treated as an option in political calculations,” he declared.

Delivering a lecture at the event, Barrister Femi Falade emphasised that insecurity in Kwara South was not merely a policing issue but a political one.

“We must get it right politically because leadership emerges through political means,” Falade said.

“Money politics, godfatherism, and the neglect of youths have eroded trust. Until we empower our young people and revive our communities, insecurity will persist.”

He further urged the governments at all levels to take concrete actions in rebuilding rural economies, saying that developing forest belts and rural infrastructure would help drive away criminal elements and attract legitimate economic activity.

Senator Oyelola Ashiru, in an interview with Arewa PUNCH, stressed that local government structures must be strengthened if insecurity in Kwara South is to be effectively contained.

“Security is everyone’s business,” Ashiru said. “The state must empower local councils and vigilante groups to enhance grassroots intelligence and protection.

“Banditry will reduce when local people are active participants in their own security.”

Also present at the event, Professor Wale Sulaiman, a neurosurgeon and development advocate, called for unity of purpose and a return to the communal values that once defined the region.

“Unity is the foundation for development,” he said. “We must revive our tradition of self-help, rebuild our infrastructure, and create opportunities for our youths. That is the only way to secure our future.”

Other speakers, including youth leaders and traditional representatives, echoed the need for inclusiveness and moral renewal, urging citizens to prioritise the collective interest of Kwara South above personal or partisan ambitions.

In his closing remarks, Prince Olanrewaju paid tribute to political icons from the region, such as Chief J.S. Olawoyin, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, and Chief J.T. Obaoye describing them as “true patriots whose vision and courage shaped Kwara South’s political identity.

“If we think Kwara South first in all we do, we will achieve greatness together,” he echoed, aloud amid applause from attendees.

Dan Poster by — October 14, 2025 in General News 0