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IMPI faults opposition, rates Tinubu’s policies successful, as Naira succeeds as Africa’s second-best-performing currency against dollar
Year: 2026
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IMPI faults opposition, rates Tinubu’s policies successful, as Naira succeeds as Africa’s second-best-performing currency against dollar
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WMD: Pharmaceutical firm partners Enugu Govt., donates 100 doses of malaria drug
WMD: Pharmaceutical firm partners Enugu Govt., donates 100 doses of malaria drug
A pharmaceutical company, Reals Pharmaceutical Ltd, has partnered Enugu State Government in its avowed move to eliminate malaria in the state’s 17 council areas.
The Sales and Marketing Director of the pharmaceutical firm, Mr Kunle Adesoye, disclosed the partnership on Tuesday in Enugu while presenting 100 doses of malaria drug – Malwood Tablets – to the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu.
Adesoye, who was represented by Pharm. Lucky Nwajei, Business Manager of the firm, commended the visionary leadership of Gov Peter Mbah, “whose administration continues to demonstrate decisive commitment in driving impactful health interventions”.
According to him, as stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, we see immense value in forging a strong public-private partnership with the Enugu State Government to scale up access, awareness, and innovation in malaria control.
“We are therefore eager to explore sustained collaboration with the Ministry in areas such as community outreach expansion, healthcare provider engagement, and improved access to effective anti-malarial therapies across the State.
“Kindly accept this donation as both a contribution and a commitment of our pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the government and good people of Enugu State in the drive to end malaria.
“Thank you for your leadership and for the opportunity to partner in this life-saving mission,” he said.
In commemorating 2026 World Malaria Day (WMD) in under the theme: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must”, Adesoye said that the firm aligns with the Ministry of Health to kick-out malaria in all its entirety.
The director said that to strengthen the firm’s support of the state’s urgent call to action to end malaria now, we had donate 100 doses of Malwood Tablets (Artemether/Lumefantrine 80/480mg).
“Malwood malaria drug —a high-quality, WHO-recommended Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT)—to be deployed during the State’s free malaria testing and treatment outreach.
“These medicines are specifically intended to provide immediate, life-saving treatment to individuals who test positive, ensuring that diagnosis is swiftly matched with effective care,” he said.
The director noted that the intervention goes beyond a donation; it reflected the firms unwavering commitment to closing treatment gaps, strengthening community-level care, and actively contributing to malaria elimination efforts in Enugu State.
Adesoye said that the company recognised that access to quality-assured ACTs remains a critical pillar in winning the fight against malaria—and we are fully invested in that mission.
Responding, Ugwu lauded Reals Pharmaceutical Ltd for the support to the state at a critical time when action is needed by all stakeholders to “totally eliminate malaria out of the state.’
The commissioner said, “Today, we have got another partner and the scope of our stakeholders keep increasing.
“This is in recognition and appreciation of the numerous health sector projects, programmes and interventions of our health-loving Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.”
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Nigeria’s credit penetration too low for entrepreneurial growth- Expert
Nigeria’s credit penetration too low for entrepreneurial growth- Expert
The MD/CEO CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Dr Ahmed ‘Tunde Popoola delivering KWASU’s 1st Collaborative Lecture By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
A Financial Expert, Mr Ahmed Popoola, has said Nigeria’s credit penetration rate of 13 per cent was too low.
He made the assertion on Monday while delivering the maiden collaborative lecture of Kwara State University (KWASU), organised by the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS) and the Centre for Advancement and Industrial Collaboration (CAIC).
Popoola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CRC Credit Bureau Limited, said the penetration rate was too low to support the country’s ambition of becoming a thriving entrepreneurial economy
Speaking on the theme: “Finance, Entrepreneurship, and the Infrastructure of Trust”, the economist called for increased access to credit facilities for entrepreneurs as a pathway to economic growth.
He noted that out of the country’s 35.6 million registered enterprises, only about two million have access to formal credit, describing the situation as a major constraint on business development.
“Entrepreneurship cannot thrive without an entrepreneurial economy.
“With access to finance, enterprises are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to overall economic development,” he said.
Popoola added that access to credit played a critical role in the prosperity of nations, as it affects individuals, businesses and governments alike.
“Where a conducive environment for starting and running a business exists, supported by access to finance, economic prosperity is almost certain,” he said.
The financial expert, however, stressed the importance of a unified identification system to improve access to finance, advocating the integration of multiple identification platforms into the National Identification Number (NIN).
“We need to accelerate the fusion of tax identification numbers, passport numbers, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), driver’s licence numbers and voter registration numbers with the NIN,” he said.
Popoola also underscored the need to safeguard personal data, warning that while data was central to financial systems, it must be protected against misuse and unauthorised access, especially in an era of increasing digitalisation.
He further urged the government to mandate or incentivise organisations such as telecommunications companies, power distribution firms, insurance companies and capital market operators, property developers and tax authorities to share relevant data with credit bureaus to improve credit access.
According to him, other drivers of a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem included a robust financial services sector, sound financial structures and efficient socio-economic infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Prof. Rahman Mustapha, said the lecture was part of efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
He described the theme as timely, particularly in an era where financial innovation, entrepreneurial drive and institutional trust were critical to sustainable development.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of KWASU, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman, said the initiative was aimed at connecting theoretical knowledge with practical industry experience.
“There is a lot needed by the public to understand about financing, creditworthiness and securing funding for businesses.
“We are committed to bridging gaps between the ivory tower, industry and communities.
“This is the only way universities can contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said
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Adeleke’s Quiet Revolution: Why Osun Should Stay the Course
Akano Kolobo
In a political climate often defined by noise rather than substance, Governor Ademola Adeleke is steadily carving a different path—one grounded in governance, empathy, and tangible results.
His recent unscheduled visit to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital may appear routine on the surface, but it speaks volumes about leadership style. This was not a staged inspection or a ceremonial appearance; it was a direct engagement with health workers and patients—those who experience government policies in real time. In a state where citizens have long yearned for responsive leadership, such gestures matter.
More importantly, the visit produced a concrete outcome: the long-overdue conversion of casual hospital workers into permanent staff. For over a decade, these workers laboured under uncertainty. Today, they have dignity, job security, and renewed hope. That single decision captures the essence of governance—putting people first.
Yet, governance in Osun has not been without resistance. Political distractions and power tussles are nothing new, especially in a state with a vibrant and competitive political landscape. Allegations of attempts to frustrate the administration, including issues around local government funds, highlight the challenges facing the current government. But rather than getting bogged down, Adeleke’s administration appears focused on delivery.
This is where the conversation about re-election becomes critical.
Elections should not merely be contests of personalities or party structures; they should be referendums on performance. By that measure, Adeleke is building a compelling case. From workers’ welfare to institutional strengthening, his approach signals a government that understands its priorities.
Critics will, as expected, raise concerns and question motives. That is the nature of democracy. However, the electorate must ask a simple question: Is Osun moving forward? If the answer leans toward yes—as recent actions suggest—then continuity becomes not just an option, but a necessity.
Governor Adeleke’s style may not fit the traditional mould of political leadership, but it is increasingly clear that effectiveness matters more than optics. In a time when many Nigerians are disillusioned with governance, Osun has an opportunity to reinforce a different narrative—one where leadership listens, acts, and delivers.
As the next election cycle approaches, the people of Osun will decide. But if governance is to be judged by impact rather than rhetoric, then the argument for giving Ademola Adeleke another mandate is one that deserves serious consideration.
If you want it sharper, more aggressive, or tailored for a newspaper like Vanguard or Punch, I can refine the tone further.By Akano Kolobo
Apena compound
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Ipetumodu: Osun Govt Sacks Oba Oloyede, Declares Stool Vacant
byBy Iyiola Olalere
Osun State government has announced deposition of Oba Gbenga Joseph Oloyede, as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Ife North local government area of the state with immediate effect.
The deposition was disclosed in statement by the state commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi.
Alimi said Oloyede was deposed after due consultation, legal review, and approval by the State Executive Council (EXCO).
Oba Gbenga Joseph Oloyede has been reported convicted in the US for COVID-19 fraud and is currently serving a jail term in the United States of America.
Alimi wrote: “This decision was taken in accordance with the Osun State Chiefs Law (as amended) and other relevant legal provisions guiding traditional institutions in the state.”
The Commissioner stated that the staff of office and instruments of authority earlier issued to the monarch have been withdrawn and the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu declared vacant.
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NAF airstrikes destroy terrorists’ structures in Mandara mountains
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has sustained its counter-terrorism offensive with precision airstrikes that destroyed terrorists’ structures and logistic hubs in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno.This is contained in a statement by the NAF Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ejodame stated that the strikes, conducted on April 27 at Guduf, targeted a known terrorists’ enclave following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
He said NAF air assets identified multiple structures used by insurgents for logistics and coordination before executing a coordinated Air Interdiction operation.
He added that the targets were engaged with precision, leading to destruction of key infrastructure supporting the terrorists’ activities in the area.
“The operation significantly degraded the operational capability of the terrorists and reinforced ongoing efforts to deny them freedom of action,” he said.
Ejodame noted that the mission was carried out in strict compliance with rules of engagement, with due consideration for the protection of civilians and the environment.
He reiterated NAF’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists’ elements and supporting broader military operations to restore peace and security in the North-East. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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At-tameemi Travels and Tours Announce Packages for Easy Hajj, Umrah
Contact: 0807 180 2269
By Danladi Ahmed
Abuja (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The Management of a leading international hospitality firm, At-tameemi Travels and Tours, has announced packages to ease performance of Hajj and Umrah by intending Muslims.The Managing Director of the hospitality company, Haj. Yussuf Animashaun disclosed that the Firm has introduced a GROUP Umrah packages for July, August and other months.
Animashaun urged potential pilgrims to reach out to At-tameemi as quickly as possible, disclosing that the company’s unique GROUP UMRAH packages were almost fully booked.
He encouraged Muslims to take advantage of At-tameemi’s convenient ”PAY SMALL SMALL Scheme to make their Hajj and Umrah become a reality.
Animashaun declared:
THE NEW UMRAH SEASON IS HERE AGAIN.OUR GROUP JULY , AUGUST AND OTHER MONTHS UMRAH ARE BECOMING FULL .
TAKE THE ADVANTAGE OF PAY SMALL SMALL SCHEME.
HAJJ 2027 SLOTS ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT.
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Contact: 0807 180 2269
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HLA URGES OSUN LG WORKERS TO SUPPORT ADELEKE
By Isiaka Abidoye.
EDE (Osun State): The Head of Local Government Administration (HLA) of Ede South Local Government, Dr Adewale Adedapo, has called on workers to support Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, citing his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
Adedapo made the call on Monday during a management meeting with directors of various departments in the council.
Dr Adewale Adedapo, Head of Local Government Administration (HLA), Chairman of the Osun State Forum of HLAs, and President of the National Forum of HLAs. He noted that despite prevailing economic challenges, the Adeleke administration has maintained prompt payment of salaries, describing the gesture as worthy of reciprocal support, particularly as the state approaches another gubernatorial election.
According to him, the Governor has executed numerous capital projects across all senatorial districts, a feat he described as unprecedented since the creation of Osun State in 1991.
“It is only wise to reciprocate his good work. As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another,” he said.
The HLA also charged directors to be proactive and provide effective leadership within their departments to ensure smooth administrative operations.
Cross section of Directors 1 He further stressed the need to boost internally generated revenue (IGR), noting that federal allocations alone are insufficient to sustain local government activities.
Adedapo added that all departments remain critical to the system, describing the directors as partners in progress despite his role as administrative head.
Reacting to the HLA’s remarks, the Director of Administration and General Services, Mr Aina O.B., described the Governor as exceptionally magnanimous, urging workers to support him in the forthcoming governorship election.
“When you talk of workers’ welfare, you find him ahead of others. When you talk of prompt payment of salaries, our Governor is one of the best,” he said.
Cross section of Directors 2 Speaking on behalf of the directors, the Director of Town Planning and Land Services, Tpl Rauf M.A., commended the HLA for prioritising staff welfare and fostering a supportive work environment.
He also assured of the commitment of his department and others to improving revenue generation within the council.
Directors present at the meeting included those of Administration and General Services, Finance and Supply, Budget, Agriculture and Food Supply, Works, Water and Environmental Sanitation, Primary Health Care, Community Development, Procurement, and Information, as well as the Internal Auditor, the Deputy Director of Administration and NULGE chairman among others.
Isiaka Abidoye.
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We are paying approximately N7.6m to fuel every flight – Ibom Air
By Dianabasi Effiong
The management of Ibom Airlines has given an update on the aviation fuel crisis on its operations, saying the state-owned company expended approximately N7.6 million to fuel every flight.
The update was made known in a statement by Aniekan Essienette, the Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Airlines Limited, on Monday in Uyo.
According to him, the fuel price situation is an unprecedented crisis for Nigeria’s domestic airlines.
He added that at Ibom Air, the cost of fueling its aircraft had “more than tripled between January and today.”
He stated, “From an average of N2.1m per flight in January, as at today, the 27th of April, we are paying approximately N7.6m to fuel every flight.”
He said that the increase was “more than 350 per cent since the beginning of March, a space of just 7 weeks!”
He also stated that Ibom Airlines’ aircraft were some of the most fuel-efficient in Nigeria’s domestic market.
“At this point, domestic airlines are baffled at why the price of aviation fuel in Nigeria has ballooned to this level, way above the rest of the world, while the fuel marketers obtain 95% or more of their aviation fuel from Dangote Refinery.
“The situation is exacerbated by the fact that a combination of competitive pressures and patriotism has prevented a commensurate increase in our fares, meaning that we and our fellow domestic airlines have had to absorb the immense operating losses resulting from this situation.
“We chose to do this believing that the crisis would pass in a week or two, but it has persisted now for nearly two months, continuously increasing, with no reprieve in sight as of today,” Essienette said.
He said that it would be difficult for Ibom Air to operate just to pay for fuel and nothing else.
He said that Ibom Air would take whatever ameliorating actions in the days ahead, including reducing its capacity, if necessary, to continue to provide services to customers and Nigeria.
“While we continue to do everything we can to maintain normal operations, it is clear to us that the current conditions are unsustainable.
“We note that, worldwide, where fuel price increases are nowhere near what we are facing in Nigeria, airlines are reducing flights to manage the situation.
“We, too, will have to take whatever ameliorating actions we can in the days ahead, including reducing our capacity if necessary, to be able to continue to provide services to our customers and our country.
“We also note that, if this situation persists much longer, airlines will not be able to continue operating just to pay for fuel and nothing else,” he said
Essienette also called on marketers to seriously reconsider the pricing of aviation fuel to make the airline business model continue to work in Nigeria.