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2027: APC Gives Edu, Olejeme Key Campaign Roles Despite Corruption Allegations

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2027: APC Gives Edu, Olejeme Key Campaign Roles Despite Corruption Allegations

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and former chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Ngozi Olejeme have been named members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign council.

It was gathered that the APC announced the campaign council on Saturday with the former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator, Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General while the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma was appointed Secretary.

Edu and Olejeme were given roles in the campaign structure even when they had been mired in allegations and investigations relating to financial misconduct.

Edu, number 97 on the campaign council list, was appointed Director of Women’s Mobilization.

Her appointment comes more than two years after President Bola Tinubu suspended her as minister of humanitarian affairs over a controversial financial transaction.

Tinubu suspended Edu on January 8, 2024, after a memo emerged in which she is said to have asked the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer ₦585 million into a private account.

The President later directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the ministry’s financial dealings.

EFCC officials later questioned Edu at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The development also resulted in the suspension of programs under the National Social Investment Program Authority (NSIPA) for six weeks as the Federal Government began a probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the agency.

In April 2024, the EFCC said it had recovered N30bn linked to its investigation of activities at the ministry of humanitarian affairs.

The commission also said it was investigating some 50 bank accounts as part of the probe.

October 2024 saw Edu finally axd from the Federal Executive Council.

Tinubu later reshuffled the cabinet and replaced her with Nentawe Yilwatda, now the APC national chairman, in the ministry.

Five days after the reshuffle, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Edu was no longer in the cabinet.

“There is no more place for her in that cabinet as far as this government is concerned,” Onanuga said.

Read Also: 2027 Polls: FCT Minister Urges Tinubu Allies to Deliver at the Ballot Box

The presidential spokesman said the EFCC had not made its findings public when asked about the outcome of the investigation of the former minister.

Olejeme Gets South-South Job
Olejeme, who is number 37 on the campaign council list, has been appointed South-South Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilization.

The appointment is coming up as she is facing a pending money laundering case instituted by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency in October 2025 arraigned the former NSITF board chairman before a Federal High Court in Abuja on alleged N1 billion money laundering.

She was accused of eight counts of alleged conversion, transfer, procurement and possession of proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC had accused Olejeme of diverting funds belonging to the NSITF while she was the chairman of the agency’s board between 2012 and 2015.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Emenike Mgbemele, sought for a trial date and told the court that EFCC intended to call 14 witnesses.

Justice Emeka Nwite later released Olejeme to her lawyer and adjourned the matter to November 17 for hearing of her bail application.

She was wanted by the EFCC in September 2017 on charges bordering on “criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering” involving about ₦69 billion.

In July 2020, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 48 properties reportedly linked to the former NSITF chairman, three years after the investigation.

She was also arraigned on nine counts before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in October, 2021.

2027 Polls: FCT Minister Urges Tinubu Allies to Deliver at the Ballot Box

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2027 Polls: FCT Minister Urges Tinubu Allies to Deliver at the Ballot Box

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged political stakeholders backing President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027 to focus on winning their wards, local government areas and states instead of jostling for positions in campaign councils.

Wike made the call in Abuja on Saturday after inspecting some ongoing projects in the FCT, stating that membership of a presidential campaign council does not automatically guaranty electoral victory.

He said the true test of a politician in an election is his ability to mobilize voters and deliver results at the grassroots.

“Every politics is local”, the minister said, calling on the President’s supporters across party lines to focus on grassroot mobilization and winning votes for Tinubu.

Also, Wike dismissed the suggestion that politicians who are not members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council would be unable to contribute meaningfully to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

He pointed to the track record of high-profile politicians who had led presidential campaign councils but failed to deliver their home states.

The minister said Rotimi Amaechi was Director General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019 but could not deliver Rivers State.

He also mentioned Bukola Saraki, who headed Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign in 2019 but lost both Kwara State and his senatorial seat.

Wike said Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku’s campaign Director-General in 2023, also lost Sokoto State, while Simon Lalong, who led the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the same election, failed to deliver Plateau State.

“If you are the DG and you fail to win your state, what is the point of the DG? Even if you are DG, you will be ashamed if you lose your own state. “When you say you won, people are going to say, ‘Why didn’t you win in your own state?’” he said.

The Minister said political alliances could operate outside formal party structures, citing the cross-party “Rainbow Coalition” as an example of politicians working together to support Tinubu across different states.

He said the coalition was already working in several states including Bayelsa, Benue and Kwara irrespective of formal membership of the APC campaign council.

Wike also spoke about the role of the G-5 governors before the 2023 presidential elections, stating that political actors can use independent structures and strategies to achieve electoral goals.

“I am not a member of APC, therefore I cannot be in the Presidential Campaign Council. We had our own visions of how the presidency would play out.

The Rainbow Coalition is not asking for members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. “We’re working our own way,” he said.

Wike restated his pledge to deliver electoral votes for Tinubu in FCT and Rivers State, saying he would personally spearhead the campaign in the two territories.

What matters is: can you deliver those two states? Who will be spearheading the Rivers State campaign? I. Who will be in charge of FCT? Me,” he said.

Imansuagbon Backs Atiku’s Proposal to Restore Fuel Subsidy

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Imansuagbon Backs Atiku’s Proposal to Restore Fuel Subsidy

Mr Ken Imansuagbon, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former governorship aspirant in Edo State, has endorsed the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, over his pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, saying the policy reversal would bring immediate relief to millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship. TrackingExecutive Branch Policy Changes In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday in Benin City, Imansuagbon described the criticism that greeted Atiku’s position from the presidency and the ruling APC as “misplaced and politically motivated”.

President Bola Tinubu led administration’s removal of fuel subsidy has further impoverished Nigerians, worsened inflation and inflicted unprecedented hardship on families across the country, he said.

He said, “The removal of fuel subsidy has not translated into better life of Nigerians. Instead, it has pauperized millions of citizens, robbed workers of their purchasing power, made transportation, food, healthcare and education costlier, while businesses continue to shut down under the burden of unbearable operating costs.”

Atiku’s pledge to restore the subsidy was not an indication of inconsistency but a demonstration of courageous leadership that could review policies that failed to achieve their objectives, the ADC stalwart said.

“There is no fault in Atiku’s willingness to revisit a position he took in 2023. That’s what a compassionate, people-oriented leader does,” he said.

He further argued that although the Federal Government had claimed savings of trillions of naira from subsidy removal, Nigerians had not seen much in terms of prudent application of the funds.

“Where are the trillion dollars that are said to have been saved? Nigerians want transparent answers. “Our infrastructure is still collapsing, our security is deteriorating, our hospitals are failing, our schools are underfunded, we have mass unemployment and deepening poverty. “If these huge resources were truly invested in the welfare of the people, by now, the ordinary Nigerian should have felt the impact,” he said.

He argued that the real debate should not be on whether subsidy should stay or be removed, but whether the policy had improved the ordinary citizens’ quality of life.

“The important question is simple. Has removal of subsidy made life better for Nigerians? Clearly, the answer is no. The resources released were expected to improve transportation, healthcare, education, employment opportunities and social protection programs, but Nigerians have only experienced more suffering and economic despair,” Imansuagbon said. BookingHistorical Guided Tours The former governorship aspirant said Atiku had the experience, competence and economic understanding needed to rescue Nigeria from what he termed “economic quagmire” created by the APC-led Federal Government.

“Atiku Abubakar is today the only presidential aspirant with the courage, capacity and economic blueprint to reset Nigeria on the path of recovery. “The pains inflicted on Nigerians under President Tinubu’s administration can begin to heal within Atiku’s first 100 days in office through people-centred economic reforms, including the restoration of subsidy where necessary to cushion the suffering of citizens,” he said.

He praised the former vise president for his enduring love for humanity and commitment to the welfare of Nigerians, urging citizens to move beyond party sentiments and to back policies that could restore hope to the country.

He insisted that Nigeria’s economic recovery should take precedence over politics, adding that any policy that did not improve the living conditions of the people deserved to be reviewed in the national interest.

FG Engages KPMG to Revamp Nigeria’s Vocational Education System

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FG Engages KPMG to Revamp Nigeria’s Vocational Education System

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has hired KPMG, a world-class advisory services provider, to transform the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into a high-performing regulator and strategic enabler of Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.

The reform initiative is designed to improve the NBTE’s institutional effectiveness, governance architecture and operational capacity to enable the Board to more effectively regulate, coordinate and support polytechnics, monotechnics and other technical institutions, while aligning skills development with Nigeria’s economic and workforce needs.

KPMG is a global network of professional services firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services to local and international organizations, government bodies and institutions in Nigeria.

The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the Federal Ministry of Education had engaged KPMG Advisory Services to evaluate NBTE and come up with a future-fit organizational structure, governance model and operating framework.

According to Alausa, the exercise is aimed at strengthening the capacity, governance and service delivery of NBTE, in line with the Federal Government’s skills development agenda.

He said that a stronger NBTE was critical to achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and developing a skilled, productive and globally competitive workforce.

The assessment will identify gaps in governance, organizational design, processes, workforce capacity and service delivery and provide recommendations to improve the Board’s effectiveness, accountability and impact.

The generated transformation roadmap will provide a clear framework for aligning NBTE’s structure and operations with its statutory responsibilities and the broader TVET reform agenda of the Federal Government.

Alausa restated that polytechnic education is an integral part of Nigeria’s broader TVET ecosystem and must therefore be managed within the framework that prioritizes skills acquisition, employability, innovation and enterprise development.

This philosophy is guiding the ongoing review of polytechnic curricula and the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) to ensure that training programs remain relevant to industry needs, technological advancements and emerging economic opportunities, he said.

With support from a ₦1 billion intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the curriculum modernization program has created 27 new National Occupational Standards and reviewed four existing ones, making a total of 31 reviewed standards.

The standards offer a more coherent and integrated skills development pathway across the education system, including artisan-level training, National Certificates, Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programs.

The Minister stressed that the reforms are intended to ensure that graduates from technical education come out with practical, market-relevant competencies that enhance employability, foster entrepreneurship and improve national productivity.

From an industry perspective, Oluwole Adelokun, Partner, Strategy and Customer Solutions at KPMG Africa and KPMG in Nigeria, noted challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s TVET sector. He said, “93 percent of the workforce is in the informal sector and nearly 12 percent of young people are neither in education, employment nor skills training.

He said Nigeria is second to Singapore in TVET graduate employability but pointed to the need to modernize the outdated curricula, overcome funding constraints and reduce the five-year curriculum review cycle.

Nigeria Launches Agritourism Village to Boost Economy and Food Production

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Nigeria Launches Agritourism Village to Boost Economy and Food Production

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Abubakar Kyari, says agritourism will unlock the full potential of rural economies by blending agriculture with tourism to create jobs, ensure food security, and attract investments.

Speaking during the International Agritourism Investment Stakeholders’ Forum held in Abuja, Nigeria, the Minister stated that the initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to translate policy into tangible benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.

The Minister, represented by the Director, Agribusiness and Market Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, stated that ‘the forum with the theme, “From Policy to Implementation: Advancing Agritourism for Food Security, Job Creation, Global Investment for Economic Diversification and Sustained Growth”, underscores the administration’s resolve to move beyond speeches into concrete action.

Mr Kyari stated further that by integrating farming with tourism, agritourism will diversify rural incomes, reduce dependence on oil, and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and innovative farming practices to the world.

He noted that the International Agritourism Village is a living testimony of the transition.

The Village, he said, is designed as a model hub where agribusiness, hospitality and cultural tourism converge.

It features modern farm estates for climate-smart agriculture and processing facilities for value addition to strengthen food security and reduce import dependence.

Training institutes within the Village will equip youth and women with entrepreneurial skills, while eco-lodges and cultural centres will create thousands of jobs across farming, hospitality, logistics, and the creative industry.

Attract Investment

The Minister further revealed that the infrastructure is also positioned to attract domestic and foreign investment, boost foreign exchange earnings, and provide rural households with skills, market access, and infrastructure to lift families out of poverty.

Mr Kyari revealed that the Village is positioned to serve as the foundation for establishing the World Agritourism Organisation, with Nigeria at its helm. This, he stated, “will set global standards and position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable agritourism.”

The Ministry, he explained, is strengthening policy frameworks, deploying incentives such as tax breaks and access to land, and encouraging public-private partnerships to make Nigeria the most attractive destination for agritourism investment in Africa and beyond.

“The Village is ready, the communities are ready, Nigeria is ready, the time to invest is now,” Kyari stated.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Public-Private Partnership Cooperation, World Agritourism Organisation (WAO), Prof. Edwin Ozuzu, stated that the purpose of the initiative is not merely to deliberate, but to mobilise investment, strengthen partnerships, and commence coordinated execution of projects that would deliver measurable socio-economic benefits to Nigerians.

Prof. Ozuzu disclosed that “one of the flagship initiatives before us is the Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village project to be developed across the States of the Federation.”

“This visionary project will integrate modern agriculture, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing industries, research and innovation centres, investment parks, training institutions, hospitality facilities, cultural heritage centres and rural enterprise development,” he noted.

In his welcome address, President, World Agritourism Organisation, Global Lead Advocate, Mr Trust Ogboi, stated that “we are witnessing the unveiling of the flagship Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja, on 40 hectares designed to accommodate Federal and State Government Liaison Centre, private sector investment, farm estates and other integrated agritourism value chain developments.”

Mr Ogboi added that the programme complements other important proposed projects, including the World Agritourism Centre in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State and other agritourism developments across the country.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja.

Nasarawa Police Begin Crackdown on Political, Digital Thuggery

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Nasarawa Police Begin Crackdown on Political, Digital Thuggery

The Nasarawa State Police Command has kicked off the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery in the state.

This is part of the effort to sensitize the youth on the dangers of political violence, criminality and the misuse of digital platforms.

The campaign, which was held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, brought together youths and other relevant stakeholders.

The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Mohammed, representing the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, called on the youths to be responsible citizens and peaceful participants in democratic processes.

The Police Commissioner, addressing the participants during the exercise, said that security is a collective responsibility.

He emphasized that lasting security goes beyond law enforcement and was built on prevention, partnership and shared responsibility among security agencies, government, communities and citizens.

The CP said political and digital thuggery are grave threats to peace, democratic values and national development, warning youths not to allow themselves to be manipulated or used as instruments of violence, criminality or social disorder.

He urged the youths to understand that their future is far greater than political and digital thuggery, while urging them to invest their youthful energy in civic education, entrepreneurship, innovation, education and positive values, which would promote social responsibility and contribute significantly to national security and development.

On the specific issue of digital thuggery, the Commissioner cautioned the youths against the use of social media and other digital platforms to propagate misinformation, disinformation, cyberbullying, digital manipulation, incitement and other forms of harmful online activities.

He urged them to reject political violence and criminality in every guise, saying that no political interest or personal gain is worth the sacrifice of their future, their freedom and the peace of the nation.

The CP urged the youths to embrace education, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsible digital citizenship and constructive civic participation as routes to personal fulfillment, sustainable development and national progress.

He also urged participants to be good ambassadors of Nigeria by promoting peace, tolerance, unity and responsible citizenship both offline and online.

The Commissioner stressed the importance of young people being careful in their use of digital platforms, advising them to “think before they click and verify before they share” any information online, especially information that could incite panic, hatred, violence or division among the public.

Eight Dead After Charter Plane Crashes in Alaska

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Eight Dead After Charter Plane Crashes in Alaska

Eight people have died after a charter aircraft crashed near a remote military radar facility in western Alaska, according to the US military’s Alaskan Command.

The Cessna 441, operated by Anchorage-based air charter company Security Aviation, crashed west of Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport at about 12:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The aircraft had departed from Anchorage International Airport and was travelling to Cape Newenham, according to an FAA spokesperson.

The Cape Newenham facility is part of a network of remote radar installations used to monitor aircraft operating in Alaskan airspace and along the state’s borders.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

ECOWAS Deepens Efforts to Harmonise Statistical Data Across West Africa

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ECOWAS Deepens Efforts to Harmonise Statistical Data Across West Africa

The ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Research and Statistics has organised two regional workshops in Abidjan, Ivory Coast from August 18 to 22, 2026, to strengthen the production, quality, and harmonisation of statistical data within the ECOWAS region.

This forms part of the regional priorities for modernising statistical systems and fall within the framework of the PHASAOC project, which aims in particular, to improve statistical performance, access to data, and their use in member states, ECOWAS said on its website.

The first workshop which is focused on migration statistics, will host the 6th Regional Coordination Meeting on improving the availability, quality, and comparability of national data related to regional migration indicators.

The proceedings will, in particular, provide an opportunity to review and validate the third edition of the Regional Report on International Migration in West Africa, as well as to promote the dissemination of disaggregated statistics, in accordance with the guidelines of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

The second workshop focuses on capacity building for members of the National Coordination Committees and National Economic Policy Committees with a view to operationalising the Common Regional Frameworks for the Compilation and Publication of Macroeconomic Statistics.

This will help strengthen multilateral surveillance and support the implementation of the ECOWAS Pact on Macroeconomic Convergence and Stability.

Participants will also review the updating and populating of the ECOMAC and ECOBASE databases, as well as the processing and harmonisation of national statistics covering the period 2000–2025, to ensure their comparability and reliability.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Director General of the National Statistics Agency of Ivory Coast, Mr. Touré Brahima, represented by Mr. Thiékoro Doumbia, Director of Research and Statistics at the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Félix N’Zué as well as the ECOWAS National Focal Points, members of the Technical Working Group on Migration Data, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission’s technical departments, imcluding experts from AFRISTAT, AFRITAC-West, AMAO, IMAO, and the UEMOA Commission.

In his opening remarks, President of the National Economic Policy Committee of Ivory Coast, Mr. Hien Sansan, speaking on behalf of Mr. Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget of the Republic of Ivory Coast, welcomed the various experts present in Côte d’Ivoire.

He emphasised the importance of the meeting, which will promote the adoption and effective implementation of regional frameworks for the compilation and publication of macroeconomic statistics necessary for multilateral surveillance.

The Director of Research and Statistics at the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Félix N’Zué, representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, welcomed the participants to the two day workshops.

Vision 2050
The workshops are part of the ambitions of ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the ECOWAS Statistical Policy, adopted by the Heads of State and Government, which recognises statistics as a regional public good essential for planning, monitoring public policies, and assessing progress toward regional integration.

“Without harmonised, comparable, and regularly produced statistics, it would be difficult to objectively assess the progress of our member states, guide economic and social policies, and measure the concrete effects of our regional programs. Statistics are no longer just numbers. Today, they constitute a strategic tool for governance, transparency, and foresight,” Professor N’Zué stated.

In the same vein, the Director General of the National Statistics Agency of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Touré Brahima, representing Mr. Thiékoro Doumbia, commended the ECOWAS Commission, which, through its Directorate of Research and Statistics, is stepping up initiatives to promote better production and use of statistics in the region.

The ECOWAS Commission reaffirms its commitment to promoting reliable, harmonised, and accessible statistical data, which are essential for developing evidence-based public policies and strengthening regional integration.

2027 Presidency: Obi Promises Campaign Free From Ethnic and Religious Sentiments

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2027 Presidency: Obi Promises Campaign Free From Ethnic and Religious Sentiments

As campaigns begin for the 2027 general elections, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi has marshaled out his plans for Nigerians pledging to run a campaign devoid of ethnicity and religion.

Obi also gave a blow by blow account of how he will develop the country including his areas of concentration in the various regions of the country while speaking to journalists at a world press conference in his home in Onitsha, Anambra State on Friday.

He said the election is a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, and gives Nigerians the opportunity to assess the records, ideas and plans of those seeking their mandate to lead their country at a time of grave uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

Here is part of his text: “I consider myself quite privileged to be one of those seeking your mandate to deal with these challenges facing our country. I bring to this contest one unshakable conviction: Nigeria can work, Nigeria must work. Nigeria has a number of serious challenges. Some are truly existential in nature.

The IMF estimates that 63% of Nigerians, or over 140 million people, live at or below the national poverty line, while humanitarian agencies estimate that 35 million people will need food assistance in the 2026 lean season. Some 3.6 million Nigerians are internally displaced, mostly because of conflict and insecurity.

Every year millions of young people enter the labor market, but far too many find it difficult to find productive opportunities. Households continue to be burdened and enterprises constrained by weak infrastructure, unreliable power, insecurity and the high cost of doing business. These are not statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students and businesses.”

Obi, who vowed to run a campaign free of ethnicity and religion, said: “The campaign period is a period of opportunity for every citizen to participate in the national conversation. Nigerians must examine each candidate’s record and proposals; ask hard questions; and demand evidence behind every promise.

“We must challenge ideas without hate, compete without violence and disagree without weakening the bonds that bind us. “When Nigerians make their choice, that choice must be respected.

“Nigerians should reject and dismiss any campaign that is driven by propaganda, ethnicity, religion, elitism and cronyism. “My team and I, as we travel across the country, will listen to Nigerians, understand their needs and concerns and assure them that we have the competence, character and compassion to lead and reset Nigeria for the good of all.

Obi, who promised to strengthen the six geopolitical zones, espoused the strength of Nigeria’s diversity. “Nigeria’s diversity is an economic strength. Each region has its own assets, and national policy must unlock those assets and link them to one productive economy.

“The Northwest can grow agriculture, livestock, irrigation, agro-processing and manufacturing while improving education and security. The Northeast has the potential to accelerate reconstruction, restore livelihoods and expand agriculture, education, enterprise and regional trade.

“The North-Central can increase food production and processing even as it develops its mineral resources responsibly. The Southwest has the opportunity to build on its strengths in manufacturing, technology, finance, trade and the creative economy.

“The Southeast can boost its entrepreneurial and industrial strength through better infrastructure, stronger connectivity and greater access to investment. The South-South can provide more value-added to oil and gas and expand maritime services, fisheries, agriculture, and other productive sectors with stronger environmental protection.

“The Federal Capital Territory has to show what good urban planning, transportation, housing, sanitation, security and public services can achieve. Every region must generate. All regions must contribute. Every region must get a benefit.”

The presidential hopeful seized the occasion to speak about his pedigree in governance, saying, “My successful private-sector experience, studies in institutions of repute on policy and business matters, and my service as Governor of Anambra State have shaped my understanding of public leadership. Government must be responsible in its use of resources, it must establish clear priorities and it must measure the outcomes of its decisions. Public office is a public trust. It is not a reward for services.

“In Anambra, I concentrated on the fundamentals of long term development; education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional capacity. I do not offer that record as perfect, but as an experience from which Nigerians can draw their own conclusions.

“Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has a complementary but different governing experience. As Governor of Kano State, he emphasized education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human-capital development. His administration’s investment in education and skills reflected an appreciation that the people are the most important long-term resource of any state.

“Our experiences are different, but we agree on the conclusion that Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline,” Obi said.

NGX Extends Losing Streak to Eight Sessions, Market Cap Drops N5.45tn

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NGX Extends Losing Streak to Eight Sessions, Market Cap Drops N5.45tn

Investors in the Nigerian stock market lost a total of N5.45 trillion as the equities market continued its bearish run for the eighth straight session on Thursday.
It was reported that since Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) listed stocks have continued to witness sharp decline.

Investors on the NGX lost N3.8 trillion in four straight bearish sessions last week.

From Monday to Thursday this week, stocks on the NGX have lost a total of N1.65 trillion.

Hence, the losses in the last eight trading sessions alone were at N5.45 trillion, erasing gains earlier made in the market.

Market summary for Thursday
The market on Thursday continued its bearish run, with investors losing N440 billion, following sustained profit-taking in large and mid-cap stocks.

Market capitalization declined by 0.30 per cent or N440 billion from N155.417 trillion at the opening of trading to N154.977 trillion at the close of trading.

Haldane McCall topped the gainers’ chart with a gain of 9.38 per cent to close at N3.85, while International Energy Insurance topped the losers’ chart, dropping by 9.85 per cent to close at N4.30.

It is said the poor performance of insurance stocks has been brought about by the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025, after the National Insurance Commission revoked the licences of Universal Insurance and Nigeria Reinsurance in recent weeks.

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