Ahead of the 2027 general elections, all National Assembly members from Cross River State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu for a second term in office.
The endorsement was delivered under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress Caucus in the state within the party’s structure across the Senatorial districts and 18 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to newsmen and supporters on Thursday in Calabar, the Caucus Chairman and Senator representing Cross River Central Eteng Williams, described the endorsement as a collective and deliberate decision, urging all people of the state to rally behind Otu and Tinubu for a second term.
He said, “Our president has done so well, and for us in the National Assembly, we have seen it, especially the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which you and I shall enjoy.
“For that reason, we endorse him for a second term so that the road can be completed. Let us all vote for President Tinubu as our sole candidate for the 2027 elections.”
Williams applauded Tinubu for the student loan initiative and infrastructure development across the geopolitical zones in the country, as well as other developmental strides in other sectors of the economy, including the oil and gas industry, describing him as a courageous leader.
He further noted that Otu has made visible progress across the state, including the rehabilitation of the state library and the improvement in security through the recently launched Operation Okwok.
“Today, what we have seen is enough for us to go back and sleep and ask Sen. Bassey Otu to continue the good works.
“Our governor has done well and deserves our accolades. We are not mincing words; we are asking that he continue his good works in the state. So we endorse him for a second term,” he added.
In his remarks, Mike Etaba, representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, stated that the endorsement is intended to allow both leaders to focus on governance without distractions.
On his part, Bassey Akiba of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency echoed the same sentiment, aligning the endorsement with legislative practice.
A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Kunmi Mustapha, on Thursday, backed Governor Seyi Makinde for President in 2027.
Mustapha, in a statement he signed in Ibadan, the state capital, to mark Makinde’s sixth anniversary as governor, said the bravery and leadership qualities the governor exhibited placed him a better candidate for the presidency.
“The current situation of the main opposition party in Nigeria is not an indication that the PDP cannot snatch power at the centre in 2027.
“Makinde’s giant strides in developing the state and his contributions to the progress of Nigeria are unequal,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to look out for real politicians who have their welfare at heart, rather than those who create suffering for them.
“Makinde has distinguished himself as a brave man who exhibits uncommon leadership traits.
“There has not been any politician in Yorubaland, apart from Pa Obafemi Awolowo, who has a vision for the development of the masses and put all his heart into actualising those visions.
“Urban renewal, education, health and infrastructural revamping are part of where he scored greatly, not to talk of promotion of agri-economy, workers’ welfare, unequal employment drive and care for the elderly and other neglected population of the state since he assumed office in 2015,” he said.
Mustapha, who is also the Special Adviser to Makinde on Political Affairs, said, “Come rain or shine, we commit our loyalty to him. We, therefore, urge him to start working towards 2027.”
The party chieftain appreciated the efforts of the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, BoT member, Chief Bode George and other national leaders for their efforts in uniting the party.
President Bola Tinubu has signed an Executive Order aimed at slashing oil and gas projects’ costs, improving government revenue, and accelerating investment inflow into Nigeria’s energy sector.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, the Federal Government said the directive introduces far-reaching fiscal reforms that prioritise cost-efficiency, operational accountability, and national value retention.
Titled “Putting Every Barrel to Work: Nigeria’s New Presidential Directive on Cost Efficiency Targets New Investments, Improved Revenues and National Value,” the order sets a bold agenda for reining in production expenses while offering globally competitive terms to serious investors.
According to the statement, one of the key provisions of the Executive Order is a cap on tax credits, limiting them to no more than 20 per cent of a company’s annual tax liability.
This measure, the government explained, is designed to protect public revenues while still rewarding efficiency and responsible operations in the upstream sector. The effective date of the Order is set for April 30, 2025.
The Upstream Petroleum Operations Cost Efficiency Incentives Order (2025) introduces performance-based tax incentives for upstream operators who deliver verifiable cost savings that meet defined industry benchmarks.
A copy of the official gazette read, “The operating costs in the Nigerian oil and gas sector have been observed to be high compared to the global average, arising mainly from prolonged project execution timelines and local content requirements. The President has, in response to the high operating costs, issued policy directives on the reduction of oil and gas sector operating costs, contracting timelines and local content compliance requirements.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to efficient management of petroleum resources and reduction of petroleum cost in the upstream petroleum sector to enhance competitiveness and efficiency; and it has become necessary to provide additional measures to promote fiscal discipline, reduce operating cost and maximise Nigeria’s economic gains from the upstream petroleum operations through monitoring mechanisms and appropriate regime of incentives.”
It also directed the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to publish benchmarks annually according to terrain, onshore, shallow water, and deep offshore.
The commission shall, on an annual basis, conduct an assessment and benchmarking study to establish appropriate cost benchmarks for upstream operational activities and Unit Operating Costs for onshore, shallow water, and deep offshore terrains; determine the cost benchmarks in accordance with guidelines issued by the Commission pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act, provided that prior to the issuance of guidelines, the Commission shall consult with relevant stakeholders and publish the underlying methodology for the annual benchmarking;
“With the objective of reducing the overall cost profile of petroleum operations, annually assign specific Unit Operating Cost reduction targets for each terrain, taking into consideration the peculiarities of their operating environment and production volume; and conduct annual reviews within the tax return cycle of the lessee’s or licensee’s performance with the key assessment metric being the Unit operating Costs to determine adherence to set targets,” it stated.
Additionally, detailed implementation guidelines for the new Order will be issued in due course. Among other provisions, the Order also caps available tax credits at 20 per cent of a company’s annual tax liability, protecting government revenues while still offering strong fiscal terms to incentivise efficient operators.
“Nigeria must attract investment inflows, not out of charity, but because investors are convinced of real and enduring value. This Order is a signal to the world: we are building an oil and gas sector that is efficient, competitive, and works for all Nigerians. It is about securing our future, creating jobs, and making every barrel count,” said President Tinubu.
To ensure effective implementation of the new Order, the President has tasked the Special Adviser on Energy to lead inter-agency coordination, ensuring alignment across key government institutions and translating policy intent into measurable outcomes.
“This is not a pursuit of cost reduction for its own sake. It is a deliberate strategy to position Nigeria’s upstream sector as globally competitive and fiscally resilient,” said the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen. “With this reform, we are rewarding efficiency, strengthening investor confidence, and ultimately delivering greater value to the Nigerian people.”
The new Order builds on the administration’s 2024 presidential reform directives, which delivered improved fiscal terms, shortened project timelines, and aligned local content policies with global best practice.
Commenting via her official X handle, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy said the Executive Order links tax incentives to verifiable cost savings, introduces terrain-specific cost benchmarks for onshore, shallow water, and deep offshore operations, and caps tax credits to safeguard government revenue while incentivising operational efficiency.
She said, “Nigeria is raising the bar on upstream oil & gas reform. Today, I’m proud to share that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a landmark Presidential Order on Cost Efficiency, a bold and pragmatic step to make Nigeria’s upstream sector more globally competitive, fiscally resilient, and investor-aligned.
“At a time when oil prices are softening and capital is more selective, the Upstream Petroleum Operations Cost Efficiency Incentives Order (2025) does three powerful things: Links tax incentives to verifiable cost savings, Establishes terrain-specific cost benchmarks (onshore, shallow water, deep offshore) and Caps credits to protect government revenue while rewarding efficient operators
“This Order builds on earlier reforms, including improved fiscal terms, faster contracting, and commercially aligned local content rules. Now we are shifting from intent to execution with performance, discipline, and value at the centre. Let’s work together to put every barrel to work for our economy, for investors, and for the future of Nigeria’s energy security.”
Lasaco Assurance Plc has reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment, education, and meaningful community engagement with a visit to Agidingbi Primary School in Ikeja, Lagos.
In a statement, the firm said that the visit was in commemoration of the 2025 Children’s Day. The visit was characterised by lively interactions, motivational talks, and the generous distribution of educational supplies and refreshments.
The Lasaco Assurance team encouraged the children to pursue their dreams with discipline, integrity, and determination while emphasising education as the cornerstone of future success.
During the visit, the General Manager of Business Development at Lasaco, Muyiwa Anwoju, underscored the insurance firm’s deep-rooted commitment to educational development in Lagos State.
“Children’s Day is a powerful reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. At Lasaco Assurance, we believe in investing in the future by supporting education and nurturing young minds,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Chief Financial Officer Bukola Moradeyo noted, “Our visit is more than a celebration—it’s an intentional act of impact. We want these children to feel seen, valued, and empowered to achieve greatness.”
In his remarks, Head of Strategy, Research, and Communications, Adetokun Adedayo, further emphasised the broader vision behind the initiative: “Lasaco Assurance Plc is not only committed to corporate growth but also community development through education. We believe strong communities are built on the foundation of knowledge and opportunity.”
The school’s head teacher, Mrs Hussein, expressed deep appreciation to Lasaco Assurance for their generosity and community spirit, noting that the visit complements ongoing efforts by educational stakeholders in Lagos to build strategic partnerships that improve student performance and create a nurturing learning environment.
Reflecting the company’s national footprint, Lasaco Assurance also celebrated Children’s Day through its regional offices. In Port Harcourt, the South-South Regional Office visited the State Primary School and Azuabie Primary School. Meanwhile, in the South-West region, the team commemorated the day with the pupils and staff of Methodist Primary School, Akintola Ekotedo, Ibadan.
The Heirs Insurance Group has announced the opening of applications for the fourth edition of its annual Heirs Insurance Essay Championship, targeted at junior secondary school students nationwide.
In a statement on Wednesday, it was indicated that N10.5m worth of prizes will be up for grabs in this year’s edition features N10.5m worth of prizes.
The winning student will receive an N5 m scholarship along with an N1m education grant for their school. The first and second runners-up will receive N2m and N1m scholarships, respectively. In addition, insurance-focused themes and quizzes have been embedded into the application process for students, ensuring early engagement with the concept of insurance.
To participate, students must submit original essays of not more than 500 words on the topic ‘The Role of Insurance in Keeping Families Safe and Secure’ via its website. Submissions are open from May 27 to July 8, 2025.
In a significant expansion of the initiative, the 2025 edition introduces the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize, a new category designed to recognise and reward teachers who actively promote insurance education within schools and communities.
For the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize, the top teacher will receive a N1m cash prize, with an additional N500,000 grant awarded to their school. To qualify, teachers must implement an insurance awareness project and provide evidence of their initiative and its impact.
Commenting on this year’s competition, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group, Ifesinachi Okpagu, said, “We are excited to return with an even bigger edition of the Heirs Insurance Essay Championship. This year, we are not only empowering students and their schools but also shining a light on the critical role teachers play in shaping financially aware communities. Across our businesses, we see education as a powerful tool to build a more secure future, and we are proud to drive that vision forward.”
The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship remains a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Heirs Insurance Group, aimed at improving education outcomes and deepening insurance awareness among the younger generation. Winners of the programme will be announced at a Grand Finale event in August 2025.
Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
Startups and businesses across Africa have been invited to showcase their innovations at the upcoming Lagos Startup Expo, scheduled for June 18–19, 2025, at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, organisers disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.
With the theme ‘Connect, Invest and Innovate’, the Lagos Startup Expo 2025 promises to bring together the brightest minds, boldest startups, and most influential investors for two days of discovery, networking, and opportunity.
The organisers described the event as the premier platform for businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts to connect, collaborate, and showcase the very best of African innovation.
The previous edition of the expo drew over 3,000 attendees and nearly 100 startups, with stories of new partnerships, product launches, and business growth echoing long after the event.
This year, the momentum is even greater, with about 200 startups and businesses from different regions expected to take centre stage. Attendees will have a front-row seat to the latest breakthroughs in fintech, healthtech, agritech, logistics, artificial intelligence, and more.
Registered participants can expect a vibrant expo floor packed with live demos, product showcases, and real-time conversations with founders and industry professionals. The event’s open, interactive format is designed to encourage genuine exchanges and build relationships that matter.
For those seeking an elevated experience, VIP passes will unlock exclusive access to masterclasses led by seasoned experts, as well as intimate networking sessions with top founders and investors.
The statement also confirmed that registration is ongoing, with both regular and VIP passes available. Regular passes grant full access to the expo floor, networking opportunities, and all product showcases, while VIP passes offer an enhanced experience, including access to masterclasses and the investors’ lounge.
The organisers added that the Lagos Startup Expo is Africa’s biggest startup showcase, designed to spotlight innovation, foster connections, and accelerate growth across the continent’s growing startup ecosystem.
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has revealed that 70 to 80 per cent of the perpetrators of insecurity in the state are not in the forests but rather embedded within local communities as informants.
Speaking on Thursday during a special prayer event to mark his second anniversary in office, Governor Radda emphasised the critical need for intentional and decisive measures from all citizens to expose these individuals, asserting that the fight against banditry cannot succeed without addressing this internal threat.
Radda said, “We’re not here to celebrate power but rather to thank Allah and remind ourselves that leadership is a trust, not a trophy.
“This job is not about prestige. The money we manage is not ours. It belongs to the people. We are just caretakers”.
Radda admitted that the perpetrators of insecurity are not only from the forest saying those in the forest constitute only a migre number compared to those (informants) in communities.
He said, “It is no longer just about the forests. We cannot pretend, the Insecurity problem is not in the forests anymore. A lot of it is right inside our communities. That is where your voices matter the most.
“I am still calling on religious leaders and everyone on the issue of insecurity bedevilling our State. We had a security meeting yesterday and in our analysis, we discovered that only 30 to 20 per cent of perpetrators of insecurity are found in the forest, while 70 to 80 per cent are found among us in our communities.
“Those in the forest are getting information from those in our communities and they are the ones who are buying drugs, fuel for the bandits to ride to perpetrate their heinous crime, providing them with medication, taking ransom sum to them in the forest. I must say if we didn’t deal with these informants living amongst us, we would not succeed in this fight against insecurity. We should all be responsible in this course by exposing them.
“Another thing that we may not make right in the banditry fight is the lack of parental upbringings. Parents are not taking responsibility for the upbringing of their children anymore.”
He said the lack of parental upbringing has brought in another menace of insecurity, bedevilling the state.
He said, “Cases of one man with many children, while in the event he cannot take care of them, surely, they must become a nuisance.
“Religious leaders, you must rise up to create awareness on how we will curb the issues of lack of parents taking responsibility in the upbringing of their children, to let them also follow the law of the land and especially in exposing informants.
“As for us in the government, we will leave no stone unturned if anyone is found aiding bandits in whatever form. “We have given so much attention to those in the forest, and now, we will shift our focus more on those (informants) in our communities, which we believe will curtail insecurity.”
Secretary to the state government, Abdullahi Faskari, earlier said about 75 per cent of the administration’s goals have already been achieved, saying, “This government works with purpose and discipline.”
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Abdulkadir Nasir, said over 140 experts helped shape the governor’s development plan noting that the next phase of the administration will focus more on helping people, not just building projects.
“We have built the foundation. Now it is time for a continuation to empower people to stand on it,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress has commended President Bola Tinubu for his bold and transformative economic reforms, declaring that they have significantly stabilised Nigeria’s macroeconomic fundamentals and repositioned the country for sustainable growth.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party said Tinubu’s decisive actions, particularly in the areas of fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and debt restructuring, have helped address long-standing distortions that plagued the nation’s economy for decades.
According to Morka, the Tinubu administration’s far-reaching reforms have not only restored investor confidence but also attracted over $50 billion in foreign direct investments, achieved consecutive trade surpluses since 2023, and reduced the debt servicing ratio from 98 percent to 68 percent.
“These reforms were inevitable and crucial to stabilising and positioning the economy for steady and sustainable growth,” Morka said.
He noted that the removal of fuel subsidies and harmonisation of exchange rates were landmark decisions that previous administrations failed to implement, often preferring to “kick the can down the road.”
Morka stated that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has recorded a GDP growth of 3.38 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, a development lauded by both the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank as a clear indicator of a rebounding economy.
The party spokesperson also highlighted other notable achievements of the administration, including the clearance of the Central Bank’s backlog of foreign exchange obligations, overhauling the tax system, granting financial autonomy to local governments, and improving oil production which now stands above 1.8 million barrels per day.
“In the face of daunting generational challenges, this President demonstrated political will never before recorded in our contemporary political history.
“Like a confident surgeon, he has enacted and continues to enact policy reforms skillfully designed to give our country not just a chance of urgent resuscitation but a real shot at rejuvenating wellness”, Morka noted.
While acknowledging the temporary hardships imposed by the reforms, the APC maintained that the policies were designed with the long-term wellbeing of Nigerians in mind.
It urged citizens to remain patient and supportive as the administration continues to unfold the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement comes as President Tinubu marks the midpoint of his first four-year tenure, with the APC expressing confidence in the administration’s commitment to delivering even greater benefits to Nigerians in the years ahead.
Abia Government has said that it will offset the hospital bills of the Aba Billboard accident victims.
Mrs Victoria Onwubiko, Managing Director, Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency, made this known on Thursday in Aba at the Salad Market entrance, the site of the accident.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a big billboard fell on some passengers in five tricycles in Aba on Wednesday, following a boisterous wind, killing one person, and injuring seven others.
Onwubiko said the governor had given the necessary approval for procedures regarding the victims’ treatment without hindrances.
“So, we are glad there are not going to be any more deaths; from what we have seen, the victims in the hospital are recovering and doing well. We understand that about eight persons were involved in the accident; five are at the Abia University Teaching Hospital, two have been discharged and one is died,” she said.
Onwubiko added that the governor had sent his Chief of Staff for the proper management of the victims at ABSUTH, Aba.
According to her, there is no hoping that any one of them will go to the court as the state government is doing everything to take care of them.
She said ABSAA would ensure such accidents did not reoccur noting that henceforth the agency would inspect every advertising site in the state.
“We are going to ask the owners of sites like this to give us the technical drawings with which they built their sites. If we don’t see them, the bill board will come down for them to redo it to ensure safety,” she said.
The ABSAA MD pointed out that every site, whether high or low, which is not sound, will go down.
Mr Chinedu Nwibo, an eye-witness and a vulcaniser for tricycle operators, said there were seven persons at the entrance of the Salad Market on that Wednesday when the accident occurred.
“We were inside a little makeshift shop I had set up for my work when the rain started on Wednesday. The wind was very boisterous and some of the tricycle operators went into their tricycles to stay for the rain to stop. No sooner had they ran into their tricycles than a big iron pipe used to hoist a billboard fell on them. One Destiny Uguru, 27, from Izzi in Ebonyi state died from the accident while seven persons sustained injuries,” he said.
Nwibo called on the government to come to the aid of the victims especially by replacing their tricycles.
“The man that lost his life has an expectant wife and two children,” he said.
2023 Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, and the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday disagreed over Nigeria’s democratic model with both men expressing variant views on the progress of democracy in Nigeria since 1999.
Sowore, while speaking during a panel session of a book launch written by Senator Abdul Oroh’s “Demonstration of Craze: Struggles and Transition to Democracy in Nigeria”, stated that the country’s transition to democracy in 1999 was hijacked by those he referred to as charlatans, adding that pro-democracy activists at the time of transition to a democratic government “made a mistake”, by allowing only a set of persons to acquire power for themselves.
“There was a mistake we must admit to that we made when democracy came about in 1999. In all fairness, we shouldn’t have allowed charlatans to hijack the democratic process; we did.
“And we are guilty of where we are today. In the US, they refer to democracy as government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Abdul’s book title refers to democracy as ‘demonstration of craze’.
“But I have always referred to Nigerian democracy as ‘morontocracy’, a democracy that was hijacked by morons, and that is the result you can get,” Sowore said.
The two-time Presidential Candidate of the AAC argued that the government of the day still persecuted civil rights activists because there was no structure put in place to guarantee the fundamental human rights and well-being of citizens in the country, stating that countries like South Africa had a democracy that ensured that those who fought against the apartheid were rewarded.
Addressing the forthcoming elections in 2027, Sowore stated that what the country had during the 2023 general elections was a selection, adding that the country might witness another selective process in 2027.
He further alleged that the biggest culprits during the elections were the security agents who helped political office holders to rig elections, and not just the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“I have been introduced here as a Presidential Candidate; it is true that I ran for election twice in this country.
“Although I ran for election, I only saw on the day of the election a selection. And if we are not careful, which I’m sure you all know, the day will pass, and a set of people will have also selected themselves in power. And nothing will change in our lives.
“And I can say this because I know what we now have in terms of our electoral politics, that whoever you see in INEC today is most likely an APC card-carrying member.
“And for those of you who think INEC is the problem, you are making a mistake. The biggest people who rig elections in Nigeria, who fix selection, are in the military, the security services. I was in the DSS when the Kogi election happened in 2019.
“They emptied the place; the only people that were left at the DSS were the guys who were guarding myself, and the guys at the gate.
“Every other person went to Kogi State to rig the election for Yahaya Bello. That is what will continue to happen in this country,” he said.
In response, Oshiomhole during his goodwill message, faulted Sowore’s cynicism and dismissal of the democratic process, arguing that many activists at the time shunned the call to be part of the fight to entrench a better model of democracy.
He urged leaders not to discourage citizens from believing in a better future, adding that the gaps in the democratic system should rather serve as an “incentive for us not to give up on ourselves.”
The senator said, ”In the course of talking, he (Sowore) said we made a mistake in not contesting in 1999. It is this same cynicism, doubt, dismissal, sweeping generalisation, that misled those, or some of those, who struggled for democracy, to say nothing good can come out of the military, they don’t mean it, there would be no election, a rat cannot give birth to a rabbit.
“There were all kinds of stories. How can the military midwife real democracy? No, it is not possible. Because it’s always better to dismiss everything to get louder applause.
“Then the bad guys decided, since you guys who fight keep dismissing those who were in charge of the system you want to change, we will go in there.
“They went in and they captured power, and they changed the culture of power, they changed the rules of the game.
“And I can speak with authority when I say that when you dismiss in a very sweeping manner that the country is hopeless, the system is impossible, so we should begin to cry? “
Oshiomhole urged leaders not to discourage hope, saying that while the past and present aren’t ideal, the gap between where we are and where we want to be should inspire us to keep striving.
