Service Chiefs

President Tinubu Meets Newly Appointed Service Guards

The President Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Tinubu has for the first time met with the new service chiefs since their appointment on Friday October 24th, 2025; the meeting held Monday October 27th at the Presidential Villa Abuja and it's their first meeting with the President.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede led other service guards; the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye to the Aso Rock Villa to see President Tinubu.

Last week President Tinubu announced a major shakeup of the nation's security architecture appointing General Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff.

 The reshuffle, the presidency explained was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.

Anti-Drug War

NDLEA Raids Lagos Night Club, Arrests Socialites Pretty Mike, Tuoyo Over Drug Party

In its drive to eliminate the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs in Nigeria the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a sting operation in the early hours of Sunday October 26th 2025 raided the Proxy Lagos Club on Akin Adesola Street, in Victoria Island, where a drug party was going on.

The raid of the club said to be owned by Lagos resident socialite Mike Eze-Nwalie Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike led to his arrest alongside over 100 guests; among whom is former Big Brother Naija Housemate Tuoyo Ideh.

In a statement by the NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi those arrested are undergoing screening and interrogation at the anti-narcotics Lagos Command office.

Contraband items recovered from guests at the party and from the club's store included 

cartons of illicit substances such as 'Loud', 'Laughing Gas' among other narcotics.

SMEs Promotion

Polaris Bank Reaffirms Support For SMEs Growth In Nigeria; Launches 'EveryDay Supermarket' In Yenegoa

Nigerian financial institution Polaris Bank has reaffirmed commitment to supporting Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) to drive economic growth in the South-South region of the country; with the launch of 'Everyday Supermarket' Yenagoa Store in Bayelsa State.

The grand opening, which took place at Bay Bridge Junction on the Kpansia-Epie Expressway, marks the retail chain’s entry into the Bayelsan market; a significant milestone in the region’s business expansion efforts.

Speaking at the event, the Directorate Head, Polaris Bank, South-South, Mr. Raphael Abaziem, described the launch as a testament to growth, resilience, and the power of strategic partnership.

“This milestone represents more than the opening of a new outlet. It speaks to our shared vision of economic expansion, local enterprise development, and improved access to quality goods and services for the people of Bayelsa State,” Abaziem stated.

He further noted that the new outlet builds on earlier successes, including Polaris Bank’s financing of the Everyday Group’s flagship shopping complex in Port Harcourt in February, 2025.

“When we partner, we empower, expand, and raise the bar for retail development across Nigeria. Polaris Bank is proud to have supported this journey and to stand with 'Everyday Supermarket' as it extends its footprint and impact. We look forward to deepening our collaboration and continuing to support businesses that are creating opportunities, empowering communities, and driving sustainable development across the country,” he added.

In his remarks, Mr. Yemi Osindero, Chairman of 'Everyday Supermarket', expressed delight at the brand’s expansion into Bayelsa, noting that the group continues to grow from strength to strength.

“Everyday Group is 28 years old, with 15 stores across the South-East and South-South, including Owerri, Asaba, and Abakaliki. We are excited to be in Yenagoa for the first time and look forward to opening more stores in Bayelsa. Plans are also underway to expand into Aba, Benin, Uyo, Enugu, and Abuja,”.

The launch of the Yenagoa branch underscores Polaris Bank’s role as a key enabler of enterprise development and its commitment to supporting businesses that drive local economic empowerment and regional growth.

Statutory Oversight Visit

LASAA Hosts Legislative Delegation Promises Commitment To Regulatory Adherence

The Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Environment led by its Chairman Honourable Rasheed Adekola Shabi recently paid a courtesy visit to the 

Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) as part of its statutory oversight function providing a critical platform for detailed engagement on the agency's performance and regulatory adherence.

The LASAA management team, headed by its Managing Director Prince Fatiu Akiolu, engaged the Committee in extensive discussions that spanned the agency’s activities, its performance metrics and compliance with regulatory responsibilities. 

L-R: The Chairman, Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode; Chairman, Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, LAHA, Hon. Sobur Akanbi Oluwa; MD/CEO, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Prince Fatiu Akiolu; Chairman, Committee on the Environment (Parastatals), LAHA, Hon. (Engr.) Shabi Adebola; Chairman, Committee on Procurement, LAHA, Hon. Apata Samuel; and the Committee Clerk, LAHA, Mr. Olaosebikan Ebenezer during the Committee's oversight function at LASAA in Lagos.

The meeting fostered productive conversations with focus on strategic policies and ongoing projects aimed at developing an organised, safe and visually appealing outdoor advertising space across the state.

Akiolu seized the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the Committee for their time, unwavering support and valuable guidance.

In his remarks, Honourable Rasheed Shabi gave a glowing assessment of LASAA’s operational efficiency; lauding the agency’s efforts in maintaining a cleaner and safer Lagos through effective signage control and regulation under the Fatiu Akiolu leadership.

Shabi underscored the non-negotiable need for sustained cooperation between the legislature and all government agencies to guarantee efficient service delivery and accountability.

Honourable Shabi however called on LASAA to intensify its efforts in public sensitization; noting the importance of engagement with the public on the agency's core mandate which is crucial to ensuring continuous compliance and maximisation for revenue potential.

Intl' Day Of The Girl Child 2025

Fidelity Bank Celebrates The Girl Child With School Debate

In commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11; leading banking institution Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to creating opportunities that empower girls and women to dream boldly, learn confidently as well lead fearlessly.

The International Day of the Girl Child, is a global movement which highlights the challenges girls face, while promoting their empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

Hence as part of its activities to celebrate the Girl Child in Nigeria; Fidelity bank Plc recently put together a schools debate for female secondary school students as part of its activities to celebrate the Girl Child in Nigeria.

The competition which held at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos on Thursday, October 16, 2025, brought together students from six secondary schools to argue for or against the topic: “In today’s world, is digital literacy more essential for girls than traditional life skills?”

The Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, who was represented by the Head of Women Banking, Harriba Harry-Pepple emphasized the importance of equipping girls with relevant skills and support to help them thrive as adults.

“Each year, this day reminds us of the limitless potential within every girl, potential that must be nurtured, celebrated and given a platform to shine. Through HerFidelity, our Women Banking Initiative, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower girls and women to dream boldly, learn confidently and lead fearlessly,” Ede said.

He emphasised that the debate was not merely a contest but a platform for young female voices to express their ideas, challenge societal norms and showcase their intellectual strength.

Adding that when a girl is educated and supported with opportunities for self-expression, she becomes a catalyst for positive change in her community and beyond.

L – R: Second runner-up, Chizaram Ekueme of Awesome College; Head, Brand Management, Fidelity Bank Plc, Cynthia Ogbonna; Winner, Chizaram Unachukwu of Cedec International School; Broadcaster and Communications Expert, Wemimo Adewuni; First runner-up, Nwatu Chidera of Brookstones and Best Brains International School; and Head, Women Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Harriba Harry-Pepple; at the maiden edition of the Fidelity Bank She Leads debate competition held in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child in Lagos.

The competition saw Chizaram Ekueme of Awesome College emerge second runner-up, receiving N150,000. Nwatu Chidera of Brookstones and Best Brains International School took the first runner-up position with a prize of N300,000, while Chizaram Unachukwu of Cedec International School won the competition and she received N500,000.

#FreeMNK Protest Abuja

Court Fixes October 24 For The Arraignment Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Brother, 10 Others

The Chief Magistrates court in Kuje, Abuja, has remanded Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor and the younger brother to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB leader Emmanuel Kanu, in the correctional facility.  

Their remand, alongside ten others followed their involvement in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held on Monday October 20, 2025.

Though their arraignment could not take place, the suspects had asked for a stand down, to enable them meet with their lawyers; hence the magistrate remanded them in the correctional facility, till October 24, 2025 when they would be arraigned. 

Their lawyers have filed an application for bail however one of their lawyers Nnaemeka Ejiofor said they have not been able to serve the application to the Nigeria Police because they refused to accept the document. 

The police had charged the suspects for inciting disturbance and breaching public peace in disobedience to court order.

The suspects were also accused of denying other citizens their freedom of movement disrupting free flow of traffic while chanting war songs in request for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

Security operatives had clamped down on the demonstrators citing a subsisting court order which restricted them from accessing certain areas within the city.

Others are in custody are Joshua Emmanuel, Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom and Godwill Obiama.

Agriculture Summit Africa(ASA) 2025

Sterling Bank Leads Africa’s Green Revolution Initiative

The rebirth of the continent of Africa's foremost platform for advancing sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation

Agriculture Summit Africa under the bold theme ‘Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny" has continued to gather momentum.

The ceremony scheduled for November 6th to the 7th 2025 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, ASA 2025 is set to spotlight financing pathways to drive sustainable growth in the agricultural value chain. 

Now in its eighth year; convened by Sterling Bank, the summit will bring together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, investors, and innovators from across Africa and beyond to explore innovative solutions to the continent’s agricultural challenges.

The event is expected to foster collaboration and innovation, examining how green finance, digital tools, and climate-smart practices can transform Africa into the world’s next agricultural powerhouse.

Addressing attendees at the press conference to announce plans for the summit, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, emphasised the Bank’s purpose for convening the summit, noting that, “At Sterling, we believe Africa’s food future will be secured not by chance but by deliberate, collective effort.” 

“Our commitment is rooted in the conviction that agriculture is central to Africa’s transformation, socially, economically, and environmentally. ASA 2025 is a platform that has galvanised this transformation by uniting policymakers, innovators, and investors around one shared goal: reclaiming Africa’s food destiny through sustainability and innovation.”

With over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a rapidly growing population, Africa holds immense potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse. 

However, productivity challenges, limited access to finance and the escalating impacts of climate change has continued to hinder food security. 

ASA 2025 will leverage multi-sector partnerships and policy alignment to accelerate the continent's transition from dependence to self-sufficiency.

“This year’s theme, ‘Survival of the Greenest,’ underscores both the urgency and the unique opportunity before us,” as emphasised by Olushola Obikanye; the Group Head, Agric Finance and Solid Minerals at Sterling Bank.

ASA provides a platform where governments, financiers, innovators, and farmers can engage meaningfully to design solutions that strengthen agricultural value chains, unlock financing, and foster inclusion. 

Agriculture is not just an economic imperative; it is the heartbeat of Africa’s transformation,” Obikanye added.

The two-day event will host delegates from over 30 African countries, providing valuable opportunities for networking, policy engagement, and investment facilitation among agribusinesses, innovators, and financiers enabling access to capital. 

The event will also feature high-level panels, keynote addresses, policy dialogues, exhibitions, and an Investment Deal Room (a marketplace designed to connect investors with viable agribusiness ventures and initiatives).  

Sunbeth Global Concepts, a global agro-commodities sourcing and trading company, will co-convene the summit, contributing its expertise in agribusiness strategy, capacity building, and development partnerships.

Eyitemi Adebowale, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Sunbeth, who spoke to the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, said, “We are proud to co-convene ASA 2025 because we believe the future of Africa’s development is rooted in sustainable agriculture. 

The summit aims to spotlight solutions that empower farmers, attract investment, and promote climate-smart practices that build resilience across the continent.”

With strategic partners including Mastercard, which will lead discussions on digital tools for agricultural transformation, ASA 2025 is poised to ignite a movement toward innovation and financial inclusion within the agricultural sector. 

Other key sponsors and partners include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Alternative Bank, Arzikin Noma, ONE Foundation, Noor Takaful, Bühler, and many others.

Interested participants and organisations are advised to register at www.agricsummit.org.