Author: Salisu Sani-Idris

By Taiye Olayemi

The Lead Pastor of Hilltop City Christian Centre International, Pastor Victor Akintunde, has appealed to Nigerians to embrace probity, transparency, accountability, patriotism and altruism.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, Akintunde said that commitment of the citizens to the ideals was essential to nation-building

He also urged global peace, appealing to warring nations to lay down arms in the interest of humanity.

“I encourage everyone to embrace the principles of probity, transparency, accountability, patriotism and altruism in our different spaces and little corners.

“The cumulative effect of good behaviours on the part of the majority will give us a better society.

“On the international scene, we pray for peace and urge parties at war to sheathe their swords and embrace peace for the sake of their peoples, nations of the world and posterity.

He urged public office holders to shun corruption and prioritise the well-being of the masses.

“We all have a responsibility to uphold integrity in our spheres of influence,” he said.

Akintunde commended Nigerians for resilience in the face of challenges.

According to him, divine intervention and the collective will of the people will continue to ensure national stability and progress.

“While we still grapple with insecurity and economic pressures, there are signs of progress arising from ongoing reforms.

“We must continue to pray for our leaders and play our part in driving the nation forward,” he said.

The cleric said that the church’s 2025 Spirit and Life Conference focused on spiritual growth to equip participants with the spiritual strength to live righteously.

He said the three-day conference with the theme, “Election of Grace”, began on Wednesday at the church’s headquarters at Ojodu, Lagos.

“We are taking participants back to foundational truths as taught by the apostles.

“The conference will feature prominent ministers of the gospel, including Pastor Kolade Fagade of Kingscrest Christian Centre, Lagos, and Pastor Taiwo Kolawole of Christ Intervention Christian Centre, Ogun, among others.

By Taiye Olayemi

No fewer than 900 employees of AXA Mansard, have sensitised Nigerians against domestic and sexual violence across some cities within the nation.
According to a statement issued by the company on Wednesday, the initiative formed part of the company’s annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) drive, AXA Week for Good.
The programme had staff volunteers visit schools across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, sensitising students and teachers on the dangers of abuse and the importance of early identification, prevention, and reporting.
The initiative, which is a key component of AXA Hearts In Action (AHIA), seeks to mobilise employee support for social and environmental causes through volunteering, financial assistance, and knowledge sharing.
Speaking on the initiative, Mrs Rashidat Adebisi, Chief Client Officer at AXA Mansard, said the theme for this year’s campaign, “Being a Girl Shouldn’t Be a Risk,” underscored the urgent need to protect children, especially girls from all forms of abuse.
“Our employees are not just giving time to causes they believe in they are building a better future.
“We are acting for human progress by protecting what matters most, especially vulnerable people in our communities,” he said.
She emphasised that Nigeria’s children and adolescents, who make up nearly half of the country’s population, must be protected if the nation hopes to realise the potential of its human capital.
“With 60 per cent of Nigerian children experiencing one or more forms of violence before the age of 18, the future of our society is at risk. This is a national emergency that demands collective action,” she said.
Adebisi said that the campaign also featured awareness walks aimed at drawing public attention to the impact of domestic and sexual violence on children and the wider society.
She noted that in 2024 alone, over half of AXA Mansard’s workforce participated in the AHIA programme, contributing more than 23,000 volunteering hours to various causes.
“This level of commitment speaks volumes about our values as a company. At AXA Mansard, we believe real impact begins with people, and we will continue to support initiatives that safeguard the most vulnerable among us,” she said.
Through this initiative, AXA Mansard reinforces its commitment to corporate responsibility, showing that its mission goes beyond providing insurance. It includes building a safer and more inclusive society for future generations.

By Taiye Olayemi

The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) on Monday hosted the opening ceremony of the maiden Insurance Week, with a call to action for Nigerians to embrace insurance.

The week-long event with the theme, “Insurance For All: Securing Nigeria’s Future”, is organised by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) under the leadership of the Institute’s President, Mrs Yetunde Ilori.

The event aimed at creating awareness about the various services and products offered by insurance companies.

In his address at the opening ceremony, the NIA Chairman, Mr Kunle Ahmed, said events outlined for the week would enable insurers review and improve on their services to meet the needs of their customers.

Ahmed stated that the insurance week was for the insuring public and intending clients, hence, insurers had come up with new products for their customers.

He said, ” This week, all insurance practitioners are focused on activities that will further create awareness for the insurance industry.

“These include prompt claims payment, insurance products, ease of onboarding insurance customers and general awareness.

“The NIA is working on simplifying the claims payment process and enhance customer service, with a focus on prompt payment of claims and ease of onboarding insurance customers.”

The chairman urged Nigerians to consider purchasing insurance products to secure their future.

He said that all arms of the industry was fully participating in the Insurance Week programme to increase insurance penetration and provide Nigerians with the protection they needed.

The NIA chairman cited the industry’s payment of N622 billion in claims to customers in 2024 as a testament of its effectiveness and reliability.

Ahmed advised those, who had issues with insurance companies, to reach out to the NIA or the CIIN for assistance.

He assured the public that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) was committed to protecting the rights and interests of clients.

“With a vibrant regulatory framework in place, the industry is working to ensure that insurance companies operate efficiently and effectively,” he said.

Other dignitaries at the event included: Mr Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner For Insurance; Mr Eddie Efekoha, Chairman, Organising Planning Committee of the maiden Insurance Week.

Also, Prince Babatunde Oguntade, President, NCRIB; Mr Tope Smart, Chairman, NEM Insurance, among others.

The week-long programme will come to a close on Saturday, July 4.

By Taiye Olayemi

Seplat Energy Plc has empowered no fewer than 50 journalists, including news editors and correspondents covering Capital Market, Judiciary, Finance, and Business beats, with essential media entrepreneurship skills.

The two-day capacity-building programme held from Wednesday, June 25 to Thursday, June 26, was organised in partnership with ELOH Consulting Ltd. in Lagos.

According to a statement on Monday, the training was designed to equip participants with essential business and leadership skills to thrive as entrepreneurs in a fast-evolving media and economic landscape.

It focused on developing strategic business thinking, management capabilities, and sustainable enterprise models tailored to the needs of media professionals.

Mr Stanley Opara, Manager, Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, who represented the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Mrs Chioma Afe, delivered the keynote address.

Afe noted that the initiative aimed to prepare journalists not just as media practitioners, but as business leaders capable of driving innovation and enterprise.

The training featured renowned facilitators and thought leaders, including Prof. Pat Utomi, who spoke on the theme, “Can Managers or Professionals (like Journalists) Make Good Entrepreneurs?”

Utomi examined the transition from professional roles to entrepreneurial success and inspired participants to explore broader career possibilities.

Other speakers included Dr Solomon Avbioroko, former Coca-Cola International executive and Lagos Business School faculty, who shared insights on entrepreneurship and strategic business management.

Also, Mr Olu Onakoya, former Managing Director of Mobil Nigeria, who addressed issues of corporate governance and leadership and Nnamdi Uwaemelulam, who discussed media technology.

Uloma Okoro facilitated a session on “Developing a Business Model and Writing Winning Business Plans”, offering practical guidance for media professionals interested in launching or scaling business ventures.

A special session was held with top officials from Nigeria’s key anti-corruption and security agencies.

This component aimed to foster dialogue on governance, accountability, and the legal environment affecting the media and broader business space.

Speakers included Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The officials engaged participants on topics such as intelligence gathering, anti-corruption strategies, and security challenges, with a view to enhancing journalists’ understanding of institutional frameworks and national development efforts.

Participants lauded Seplat Energy for its investment in media empowerment and described the programme as timely, practical, and impactful.

Many highlighted how the training had broadened their entrepreneurial perspectives and provided tools for adapting to the shifting media and economic environment.

The initiative, according to Seplat Energy, is part of its broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda to support capacity building and socio-economic development in Nigeria.

It is disheartening to see yet another round of sensational and poorly researched reporting targeting the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), this time with wild claims about so-called “billions of naira” spent on spouses of staff for the 2025 Hajj.

As someone who has closely followed NAHCON’s operations for years, I can confidently state that the report titled “Fresh Scandal Rocks NAHCON…” published by Newspoint Nigeria is riddled with inaccuracies and distortions:
1. Spouse Policy is Not a Secret
NAHCON’s spouse sponsorship policy is a long-standing, well-known practice — approved internally — allowing staff deployed on official Hajj duties to sponsor spouses based on approved number of slots to each grade level, at a cost determined by management . The number of slots also depends on that which is approved by management. It is not a case of “billions spent by government.” If anything, it is billions spent by NAHCON staff.
2. Staff Pay for Spouse Packages
Staff personally pay for their spouses — like a rebate which airlines give to their staff. The fee covering airfare, visa, Madinah accommodation, Masha’ir stay, and Mashair transportation. No “public billions” are being spent on this — it is wrong to mislead the public otherwise.
3. Inflated Figures
The report’s reference to ₦1.64 billion is clearly a sensational fabrication designed to attract clicks. The real number of spouse slots is much lower, and all payments are made through bank drafts or deducted from staff estacode which is properly receipted.
4. Transparency
NAHCON’s current leadership under Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman has consistently shown a commitment to transparency and accountability. The public should not fall for half-baked narratives aimed at discrediting the Commission’s achievements during this successful 2025 Hajj operation.
5. Public Focus Should Remain on Pilgrim Welfare. Rather than stirring distractions, we should all focus on supporting NAHCON and appreciating the improvements seen this year in pilgrim accommodation, feeding, transportation and overall welfare — which are verifiable facts.
6. And if the amount quoted as estacode allowance is what staff are actually paid after spending 40-60 days working outside the country, I am not surprised why they protested for being paid only 18 days and 21 days and not their full 40 to 60 days after putting their best. NAHCON should look into paying its staff their full dues all the time.

In conclusion, as a concerned Hajj stakeholder, I urge media platforms to practice responsible journalism and verify facts before rushing to publication. NAHCON has nothing to hide — and will continue to serve the interests of Nigerian pilgrims with integrity.

Signed:
Concerned Hajj Stakeholder