Category: General News

By Taiye Olayemi

The 2025 Nigeria International Lighting Expo opened in Lagos on Wednesday, bringing together more than 120 exhibitors to showcase zero-carbon innovations reshaping the future of lighting technology.

The three-day event, holding from Sept. 17 to Sept. 19 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, attracted industry stakeholders, investors, and government officials seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s growing energy efficiency market.

Lisa Lin Xueying, General Manager of the organising committee, said the expo was spotlighting cutting-edge technologies designed to make lighting greener, smarter, and more people-centred.

Xueying, who also heads Zhongshan Company Ltd., explained that products on display included solar-powered lamps that store energy for self-use and smart lighting systems with adaptive brightness controls.

She said the expo’s theme, ‘Zero-Carbon Lighting: Supporting Nigeria’s Energy Transition Goals,’ aligned with the country’s urgent development needs and its drive towards a sustainable energy future.

According to her, the programme also features expert forums, keynote sessions, and matchmaking events to help enterprises connect with international opportunities and tackle industry challenges.

“We have over 120 exhibitors from home and abroad. Light symbolises wisdom and hope, brightening spaces and reshaping experiences,” Xueying said.

She added that lighting technology was undergoing a dramatic transformation, from LED advances to the rise of smart systems, expanding its role in modern life.

Xueying also noted that synergy between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda had opened fresh avenues for cooperation.

Ms Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, projected Africa’s lighting market to sustain strong growth, particularly in LED products, smart systems, and solar-powered devices.

She said Nigeria’s economic expansion, accelerating urbanisation, and infrastructure upgrades were driving increased demand for advanced, energy-efficient lighting solutions.

According to her, consumers are shifting from basic lighting functions towards intelligent, customised systems that enhance quality of life.

She added that West Africa’s heavy investment in power grid upgrades and green energy projects was providing solid support for the industry’s expansion.

Yuqing described the expo as a platform for deepening trade relations while encouraging innovation and wider cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises.

“Looking ahead, we must deepen our economic ties while broadening exchanges and mutual learning on global challenges,” she said.

She urged entrepreneurs to harness their expertise to advance sustainable growth and strengthen China-Africa relations.

Mr Biodun Ogunleye, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, described the event as a marketplace for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

He said the Lagos government was supporting households and small businesses with solar power, but called on stakeholders to help realise a 24-hour powered economy.

Yi Hon Ehab Sefeen, Chairman of Shinning Star Global Smart Technology Group, commended the organisers for a successful event.

He noted that Chinese investors were not only tapping Nigeria’s energy opportunities but also committed to contributing to the nation’s growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

The Afro-Asian Community has congratulated India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his 75th birthday, describing him as “reformist leader with far-reaching vision.”

Mr Sanjay Srivastava, the President of the Afro-Asian Community and Founder of the Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), Nigeria Chapter said in a statement on Wednesday that Modi’s leadership had transformed India and strengthened partnerships across Asia and Africa.

Srivastava praised Modi’s special sentiments toward Africa, citing his role in securing the African Union’s (AU) permanent seat at the G20.

He added that “the Afro-Asian Community congratulates Prime Minister Modi on his landmark 75th birthday, we identify with him as a reformist who has redefined governance and diplomacy.

“His policies reflect inclusiveness and global solidarity.

“PM Modi’s birthday is not only a celebration of his life but also of the virtues he stands for — good governance, compassion and global inclusivity.

“His commitment to Nigeria through crude oil trade and his vision to include the African Union in the G20 reflect his larger mission of justice and equity in world affairs.”

According to Srivastava, India experienced remarkable progress in digital innovation, infrastructure development, social welfare and women empowerment.

He said Modi’s governance style was anchored on transparency, accountability and people-centered policies which earned him recognition and respect at home and across the developing world.

Also, Pravin Kumar, Secretary of the Afro-Asian Community, lauded Modi’s commitment to Africa, noting his encouragement for India to buy crude oil from Nigeria, which had bolstered trade and energy ties.

Kumar commended Modi’s role in strengthening Afro-Asian cooperation and advancing global partnerships. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OYRTMA Cracks Whip on Fake Traffic Officers in Ibadan

 

By Adewale Owoade

 

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has arrested eight individuals impersonating traffic officers and extorting motorists in Ibadan.

 

According to the Executive Chairman OYRTMA, Major Adekoya Adesagba (rtd), the arrests were made during a joint operation with security agencies targeting those posing as legitimate OYRTMA officials.

 

He further revealed that during the operation, authorities recovered 95 fake vehicle number plates, several batteries, and counterfeit traffic tickets valued between 85,000 and 90,000 Naira.

 

He stated further that the impersonators have caused significant disruption, misleading innocent motorists and creating chaos.

 

Adesagba emphasised that OYRTMA follows a strict judicial process when issuing fines and urged motorists to verify traffic officers’ identities by asking for authorised ID cards.

 

He encouraged motorists to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons claiming to be OYRTMA officers through official channels.

 

OYRTMA assures the public that it will continue to collaborate with security agencies to clamp down on illegal activities by impersonators and maintain safety on the roads.

Flowerbud News/  The lingering controversy surrounding the alleged forgery of a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rita Odichinma Orji, has resurfaced following concerns raised by the petitioner, Mr. Uche David Esomonu, over the slow progress of investigations.

Hon. Orji, who represented Ajeromi–Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State between 2015 and 2019 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was arrested by the Nigeria Police on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Her arrest stemmed from allegations that she presented a forged WAEC certificate during her tenure in the Green Chamber. After making an initial statement, little has been heard of the matter, leading to speculation that the case may have been deliberately stalled.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr. Esomonu expressed shock that, despite what he described as “overwhelming evidence” against the former lawmaker, the case appears to have been swept under the carpet. He accused the police of selective justice and called for renewed action to restore public confidence in the institution.

“I wonder why this case has been swept aside despite clear evidence. The Nigerian Police must restore their dignity by reopening the case file and pursuing it to its logical conclusion. I will not relent until justice is served,” Esomonu stated.

It will be recalled that a High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, had earlier ruled that Hon. Orji has a case to answer. Delivering judgment, Justice Kawu Bello held that the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to investigate petitions brought before it, in line with Section 200 of the Constitution. The court consequently dismissed Orji’s attempt to halt police investigation and ordered her to make herself available for questioning.

The petitioner noted that, while the police had swiftly handled other cases involving certificate forgery and impersonation, the Orji matter had curiously stagnated. He cited the recent case of one Engineer Chukwubuike Azubuike, who allegedly paraded himself falsely as the “Obi of Lagos” while attempting to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of N1.5 billion under the guise of building a palace and hosting a new yam festival. Esomonu argued that if such cases could receive prompt attention, the matter against Hon. Orji should not be treated differently.

Court records indicate that Orji, upon being petitioned, initially resisted police invitations for interrogation. Instead, she approached the High Court seeking an order to restrain the police from investigating her, citing the need to protect her fundamental human rights. However, the court dismissed her suit and directed her to cooperate with law enforcement.

Despite these legal pronouncements, the petitioner insists that no meaningful progress has been made since her arrest. He warned that silence on the matter could encourage impunity and erode trust in Nigeria’s justice system.

As the controversy lingers, public interest in the case remains high, particularly within Ajeromi–Ifelodun, where Hon. Orji once wielded significant political influence and even contested again in the last general elections. Stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the police will revive the investigation or allow the matter to fade into obscurity.

Focus on building rail, mechanising agriculture rather than 2^nd Airport – Group urges Gov. Soludo

The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), an NGO, on Friday called on Gov. Charles Soludo to focus on building rail and mechanising agriculture rather than building second airport in Anambra.

It would be recalled that Mr Martins Nwafor, Managing Director of Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport, Umueri, announced the plan to build a new airport in Ndikelionwu, Orumba North LGA, during experts’ tour of the site on Thursday.

The Chairman of NUF, Chief Augustine Chukwudum, made the call in a statement in Enugu.

Chukwudum queried the push for a second airport when the first one recently built in Anambra East LGA was yet to be optimally utilised.

He said that the teeming population of the state, being mostly traders, needed accessible and affordable modern intra-state/inter-state transport, which a modern speed rail service can offer.

“NUF, as a pan-Igbo socio-cultural development group, is putting it on record that Gov. Charles Soludo plan to build another airport in Anambra State is a waste of resource.

“The Orumba South Local Government Area where the new and second airport is to be built does not need an airport because the area is agricultural axis of the state that needed commercial mechanised farming.

“We are wondering why the governor has been ignoring our calls on his government to create enable environment for agricultural and agro-industrialisation business in the state.

“Anambra State has so much arable land that grows all kind of crops,” he said.

Chukwudum noted that it was shameful that due to lack of ideas and innovation by successive governments, the state abandoned its agricultural potential.

According to him, the current governor should not embark on the second airport project as such it will be a white elephant project as well as a loss to the residents of the state.

By Taiye Olayemi

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and Odyssey Energy Solutions have inaugurated a financing facility aimed at accelerating electricity mini-grid deployment across Nigeria.

This is according to a statement by BII in Lagos, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, this new facility was coming at a critical time, as Nigeria ramps up its mini-grid ambition under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme, backed by the World Bank.

The statement said with DARES endeavouring to improve energy access for 17.5 million Nigerians, the demand for streamlined procurement and innovative financing was more urgent than ever.

It said the new facility had the potential of scaling up to meet the demand generated by the DARES programme by partnering with a growing network of qualified developers and suppliers.

The statement noted that these sort of partnerships would accelerate project execution and reduce time for electrification.

The statement reads, “With $7.5 million funding from BII, the facility leverages Odyssey’s proprietary procurement platform and supply chain credit solution to support mini-grid developers.

“The finance will be deployed to support Nigeria’s DARES programme, backed by the World Bank, which aims to improve energy access for 17.5 million Nigerians.

“Specifically, Odyssey works to bridge the gap between commitment and disbursement of DARES connections-based subsidies by addressing the financing bottleneck of upfront costs such as acquiring equipment and import duties.

“Through this offering, developers can procure high-quality solar and energy storage equipment with minimal upfront capital, paying back as projects reach revenue-generating milestones.

“This provides some key benefits for Nigerian solar companies including competitive pricing through aggregated procurement; flexible payments, improving working capital, faster procurement cycles and accelerating deployment timelines.

“It will also provide end-to-end logistics support, from customs to last-mile delivery and high-quality, vetted equipment, ensuring system reliability.”

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr Jonny Baxter, said that BII had demonstrated its confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy sector through its strategic investments.

“This is a signal that opportunities for the private sector to drive forward the renewable energy revolution in Nigeria and across Africa are growing.

“UK finance is playing a pivotal role by helping to unlock green growth and establish Britain as a credible global partner on climate action in line with our Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) with Nigeria,” Baxter noted.

Also, Benson Adenuga, West Africa Regional Director at BII, said that about 90 million people in Nigeria did not have access to electricity.

“Mini-Grids powered by clean and affordable energy sources have a vital role to play in rapidly reducing that number.

“I am delighted that BII is partnering with Odyssey to accelerate the development of such projects.

“BII has demonstrated a progressive and practical approach to unlocking financing challenges in distributed energy,” Adenuga said.

Piyush Mathur, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Odyssey Energy Solutions said, “Their support allows us to offer flexible, affordable financing options that meet developers where they are.

“This ensures that we can collectively accelerate electrification across Nigeria.”

By Itohan Laserian

Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited has underscored its commitment to regional cooperation in the aviation industry with its participation in the recently concluded Aviation Africa Summit 2025, held in Kigali on September 4 to 5.

Speaking after the summit, Dr. Tracy Wilson, General Manager of Flybird, noted: “Our participation at the Aviation Africa Summit reflects Flybird’s commitment to growth, collaboration, and positioning Africa as a strong force in global business aviation.

“We were delighted to engage with partners and industry stakeholders on the future of aviation in the region.”

Flybird continues to expand its footprint, with strategic initiatives focused on innovation, partnerships, and providing world-class aviation solutions to clients across Africa and internationally.

Recall that the Aviation Africa Summit, one of the continent’s largest gatherings of aviation professionals, brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and innovators from across Africa and beyond.

Flybird’s exhibition stand drew significant attention as the company highlighted its aircraft management expertise, charter solutions, maintenance support, and expanding global partnerships.

Flybird is a leading aircraft management and private jet charter company based in Abuja, Nigeria. The company offers tailored aviation solutions, including aircraft acquisition advisory, flight operations, Airraft Management, Maintenance services, and now, certified UAV/RPAS services.

EFCC grills Sujimoto CEO over alleged N5.7b ‘contract fraud’

• Passport seized, accounts frozen

 

For hours yesterday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Sijibomi Ogundele, in Abuja over alleged diversion of about N5.7 billion belonging to Enugu State.

 

There were indications he might be detained because the quizzing was ongoing as at 8pm.

 

The anti-graft commission froze his accounts and that of his firm pending the outcome of preliminary investigation.

 

He was awarded over N11 billion contract by the state government, it was learnt.

 

Although the state initially approved the payment of 30 per cent of the contract sum but he pleaded for 50 per cent to enable him complete the project in a record time.

 

Based on his pledge to meet up with the deadline, Enugu State Government conceded N5.7billion, representing 50% of the contract sum.

 

It was, however, claimed by the government that the worth of the project he executed was about N750 million.

 

 

The state also alleged that he had remained evasive and allegedly refused to return to site leading to a formal complaint to the EFCC.

 

When he refused to honour EFCC’s invitation, he was declared wanted.

 

But, before he showed up, it was learnt that a team of investigators and officials of Enugu State Government inspected the project site.

 

A source in EFCC said yesterday that “The Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited has surrendered to our commission and we immediately took him into custody.

 

“For more than 10 hours, we have been questioning him based on the petition of the Enugu State Government.

 

“We have frozen all his accounts and that of his company pending the conclusion of preliminary investigation. We will also seize his passport to restrict his movement to the country.”

 

The source added: “ We are still interrogating him, we are yet to admit him to bail.”

 

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said: “Our investigators were still grilling him.”

 

The CEO, Sijibomi Ogundele, has vowed to clear his name after being declared wanted by the EFCC.

 

In a video shared online, an emotional Ogundele said tearfully that the matter arose from a contractual dispute with the Enugu State Government and not from any act of criminality.

 

“I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive. This is a contract between my company and the Enugu State Government. The Enugu State Government asked me to help them build a couple of things, which was very interesting. I was going to the state every week.’’ (The NATION)

EFCC lauds Mainpower DisCo for improvement in power supply in Enugu

The acting Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Aisha Abubakar Esq, has commended Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) for improved service quality in Enugu State.

Mainpower, which is the subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), is responsible for electricity distribution within Enugu State.

Abubakar, who is in-charge of EFCC Enugu Zonal Command, gave the commendation when the Managing Director, Mainpower, Dr Ernest Mupwaya, led his team on a courtesy visit to the EFCC in Enugu on Monday.

She also lauded Mainpower for its prompt response to fault clearing (fixing).

“I appreciate this visit and I am assuring the Mainpower team of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate in tackling the challenges facing the company, especially those relating to economic sabotage.

“I must not fail to commend Mainpower for the noticeable improvement in service delivery across the state.

“As a commission, we will urge the company not to relent in sustaining this feat and good work,” she said.

Earlier, Mupwaya said that the visit was part of Mainpower’s efforts to strengthen collaboration and build strategic partnerships with critical stakeholders within its franchise area.

“I am using this opportunity to commend EFCC for its efforts in the fight against economic crimes,” he said.

The managing director said that some of the challenges confronting the company included: habitual non-payment of electricity bills; energy theft; meter bypass; illegal connections to the network and vandalism.

He solicited the commission’s support in addressing these issues which he described as “economic sabotage”.

Mupwaya was accompanied on the visit by the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Ikenna Akabogu; Chief Technical Officer, Mr Chimezie Chukwu; and Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh.