News From Nigeria
Julius Berger commits to Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour
Leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has joined forces with the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour, a national initiative aimed at promoting climate resilience and sustainable development across Nigeria to further the goals of the project. The initiative was inaugurated inside the State House Conference Centre, Abuja Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, urged governors, Organised Private Sector actors and fellow stakeholders to lead Nigeria’s climate transition, transforming awareness into practical action at all levels while calling on governors, private sector leaders, and stakeholders to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy.
Tinubu, said climate change was not only a risk but also an opportunity for innovation, growth, and national development.
“Today we inaugurate a movement, the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour. It is a national call to action, a call to innovation, opportunity, and sustainable development for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
Stressing that Nigeria stood at a defining moment as the global transition to low-carbon development accelerated, the President said, “capital is shifting, markets are evolving, and technology is transforming industries. Nigeria intends to lead tomorrow.”
He explained that the tour would take climate awareness beyond conference halls into communities, engaging governors, traditional rulers, students, innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, and financial institutions nationwide. By so doing, he added that, bankable projects will be identified, local solutions unlocked, climate finance capacity strengthened, and partnerships between the public and private sectors mobilise.
To the stakeholders, the President said that nationally determined contributions were commitments to reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and safeguard communities, saying, “commitments must be matched with action, supported by investment, and this tour bridges that gap.”
He further tasked young Nigerians to take ownership of the climate transition, stressing that their ideas, technology, and entrepreneurship would shape the nation’s future while aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Said he, “climate resilience is national security. Leadership is not a budget; it is a result we must accept with confidence. Nigeria chooses leadership over hesitation,”
Also, the Director of Forestry in the ministry, Halima Bawa, stressed the urgency of confronting climate change, noting its effects, including desert encroachment, flooding, coastal erosion, and erratic rainfall affecting farmers.
Lawal lauded the Climate Change Act 2021 for establishing a legal framework for coordinated climate governance, carbon budgeting, and a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2060, institutionalising climate action across sectors.
Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Yussuf Kelani, said the tour represented a national movement grounded in leadership, collaboration, and commitment to Nigeria’s environmental and economic security.
Kelani, Chairman of the REHCCAT Committee, said the initiative sought to democratise climate knowledge, align federal and state-level action with Nigeria’s NDCs, and mobilise partnerships, green jobs, and climate finance.
Guest Speaker, Prof. Babajide Alo, emphasised that climate resilience required locally led adaptation, community empowerment, and capacity-building to actively manage climate risks and implement sustainable solutions.
“Securing Nigeria’s climate future requires revisiting priorities and lifestyles, embracing responsible consumption, reducing carbon footprints, and embedding sustainable development in every sector,” Alo said, calling for action at all levels.
For Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, the Chief Risk Officer, Mrs Shakira Mustapha said the target of well-wishers of Nigeria is a net zero emission by 2060.
We commit to achievement of the goals. We are committed to it; and we will continue to innovate to achieve environmental-friendly operations to align with Federal government goal on sustainability, she said; adding, we will continue to support the movement to achieve these set goals.
Last September, Nigeria submitted its NDC 3.0, committing to reduce Green House Gas, GHG emissions by 32% by 2035. Nigeria has now committed to reducing Green House Gas by 29% by 2030 and 32% by 2035 compared to 2018 levels.
In attendance at the event were top government functionaries including presidential aides and key private sector drivers, including a strong delegation from Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
According to REHCCAT, the Key Sectoral Goals of the Tour include: to achieve a 60% reduction in fugitive emissions (leaks and venting) from the oil and gas industry; a major focus with a mitigation potential of 27.3 Mt CO2e and achieve 52% of on-grid and off-grid generation capacity from renewable energy sources.
Other Key Sectoral Goals include; replacing power generation of 100% diesel and single-cycle steam turbines with combined-cycle turbines by 2030, reduce tree cutting by 60% and transition 30% of vehicles by 2035.
Declaring that the aforementioned goals require $337 billion in investment by 2035, REHCCAT stressed that “we don’t have a Plan B, because we don’t have a Planet B,” even as it called on the private sector to contribute through innovation to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Awareness Tour has been scheduled to visit all six geographical zones in the country to promote awareness of climate change across Nigeria.
AKOGATE, CANAANLAND CLUB SUSTAIN PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Preparations for the one-day golf training for kids in Nigeria are in top gear, says Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Hon Felix Aganbi.
‘’This year, 50 children will take part in the golf training scheduled to begin from 7:00am on March 8, 2026, in Koko, Delta State’’ Aganbi said Monday morning.
The high-level training is expected to attract local and foreign golf scouts.
‘’Golf scouts, officials, fans, professional and amateur players will ensure the kids and parents maintain a respectful and high-quality experience’
A statement from Canaan Land Golf and Country Club, Koko said kids, parents and members of the club would on Sunday, March 8, 2026, celebrate women’s social, cultural, economic and political achievements, call for change and raise awareness against bias.
‘’The International Women’s Day golf training for young people hopes to promote positive youth development through sport and help the children to develop self-worth and resilience, imbibe the virtue of honesty, accountability and justice’’.
‘’Kids, mothers, husbands and others are looking to the Canaan Land golf training and tournament to improve their game through a mixture of physical conditioning, technical skill development and the use of specialized aids’’
Aganbi listed grip, posture, alignment, chipping, putting, strategic thinking, flexibility and mobility, core strength and power as key areas of focus in the golf training.
‘’We have the physical facilities, human and material resources’’ the statement added.
International Women’s Day 2026: Julius Berger set to uplift women
Leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC is set to uplift women in celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026. The Day is marked across the world on the 8th of March annually to underscore the achievements of women who have progressed and developed the society. On the special day too, women’s interest groups and organisations raise a loud voice for the execution of women’s rights and their security.
At Julius Berger, this year’s International Women’s Day, IWD 2026 will be celebrated across all its Regions nationwide on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Also, in line with this year’s IWD theme, “Give to Gain,” Julius Berger plans to carry out an outreach program to government secondary schools. The company stated that it is planning for two schools in Abuja and one in each of the Regions during the company’s lunch break period to partake in the outreach program on the said date. We will visit selected secondary schools to support and encourage young girls through motivational talk and distribution of gifts and Julius Berger women-volunteers will be part of the team to visit the schools.
Same day Julius Berger plans a webinar featuring a distinguished guest speaker, to be held at 4pm. The session will be open to all staff members to join virtually, the company added.
Put together, the organisers hold that, the entire initiative will reinforce the belief that when we give knowledge, support, and opportunity, we collectively gain a stronger future generation, thus underscoring the theme of the 2026 IWD; “Give to Gain.”
The IWD was founded in 1911. On March 8 every year, women wear ribbons of purple colour around their wrists; they also use batches and stripes of combined green, purple and white colours.
For gender balancing, every year a theme is presented by the United Nations for the Day. The prevalence of the theme will remain to continue all the yearlong and afterwards for the pursuance of the purpose of Womens’ Day. The Day remains a global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for advancing gender equality.
This year, IWD marks an extraordinary milestone: 115 years of collective action, advocacy, and progress toward gender equality. For more than a century, IWD has helped drive transformative change. Each generation has built on the courage of those before it, pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible. This year, Julius Berger plans to enhance its participation in the IWD for better womenfolk nationwide.
VP Shettima: President Tinubu, Friend Of The Media, Remains Firm Believer Of Press Freedom
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has pledged the Federal Government’s support for the Nigeria Press Council’s national compendium on economic and tourism potentials across Nigeria.
This is as the Vice President described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a friend of the media who is a firm believer of independence of the press.
This, he said, explains why the Tinubu administration has, in the past three years, continued to promote an environment that is conducive for journalists to carry out their duties without harassment.
Senator Shettima stated this on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) led by its Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Dili Ezughah, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
Noting that President Tinubu has remained a friend of the media, the Vice President recalled how the President had used his personal resources to assist media organizations.
According to him, people have been making libelous and provocative utterances, with incisive vituperations, against the administration and are allowed to get away with them because the President is very tolerant.
“The President is a friend of the media. He used to assist them from his personal resources, with newsprints and other support mechanisms. He is also a publisher. So, he knows the ecosystem very well, and he believes in the independence of the press.
“For the past three years, have you heard of any harassment of journalists? His tolerance threshold is so high that people who are making incendiary remarks are allowed to have their day for peace to reign in the country,” he stated.
Pledging presidential support for the Council’s bid to get official national endorsement of the publication it is currently working on, VP Shettima also promised to appeal to governors of the 36 states of the federation to key into the project.
“The subnationals own the land, own the people. Their role is very pivotal in really pushing this country forward,” he stated, emphasizing why a buy-in from the governors is pivotal to the book project.
The VP further noted that the national compendium titled, “Nigeria: Documenting the Economic and Tourism Profiles of the 36 States and the FCT,” is a welcome development, expressing hope that the publication would sell Nigeria to the world.
“If you go to other countries, you will see similar books at the airport stands. In terms of the quality of the job, the writings are so top-notch that we can embrace it as our national treasure, and see to it that it is massively printed and circulated to our embassies,” the VP observed.
Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, thanked the Vice President for his continued leadership and support for initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s economic and cultural positioning.
According to her, the publication is particularly significant for the tourism and creative economy sectors, as Nigeria’s tourism assets, cultural heritage, and creative industries represent major drivers of economic diversification.
She, however, explained that for these sectors to attract investment and gain global recognition, they must be documented and presented in a structured and credible format such as the compendium, thereby bringing visibility to Nigeria’s cultural sites, tourism destinations, creative hubs, and heritage assets across all thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Also, Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, on behalf of the state Governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the country’s leadership, noting that if the document is approved, every state is likely to benefit based on its respective tourism potential.
For his part, the Executive Secretary of the NPC, Dr. Ezughah, expressed gratitude to the Vice President for granting an audience to the NPC Planning Committee while acknowledging his consistent support for sub-national economic development and national coordination.
He explained that the national compendium being developed spotlights Nigeria’s economic and tourism profiles and requires the Vice President’s strategic direction on the document.
Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications
(Office of The Vice President)
26th February, 2026
PRESIDENT TINUBU EXCITED AT ESTABLISHMENT OF LIFC, SAYS SANWO-OLU
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is very excited about the establishment of the proposed Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC).
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure on Sunday evening during the welcome dinner in honour of the delegates at the Nigeria Foreign Direct Investment Training Programme holding at the Moller Institute, University of Cambridge, England.
The training is at the behest of the Lagos International Financial Centre, organised by TheCityUK, and funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.
In his opening remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the stakeholders should be proud that President Tinubu is in support of the establishment of the Lagos International Financial Centre.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the Lagos International Financial Centre Council, said LIFC is not about any particular person or region but about the country to position Nigeria in global space.
He said: “President Tinubu is aware of this meeting and our activity. He was very excited when I spoke with him for almost one hour yesterday (Saturday). He is really expecting a memo from us on this, a high-level paper just to ventilate his thought process. He wants to take leadership and ownership of it, which we all can expect.
“We should be thankful that we have a President who can see very quickly and support what we are trying to build, the idea we are trying to conceive and the growth we are trying to give the country. So under his leadership, we all should be proud that if we get this, which we will by God’s grace given the calibre of the turnout, we will get to the final line.
“We have actually been changing the face of many things, and it is a starting point. I think in the next two days, we are going to further ventilate the idea. It is not about any particular person or region; it is about the country and the conversation on how big the country is that will need to use that platform to position the country in that global space where people can truly know that we are serious.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the commitment of major stakeholders in the LIFC project, which included international organisations, top officials of the Federal Government and Lagos State Government, members of the National Assembly, regulatory agencies and the EnterpriseNGR.
Also speaking, the co-chairman of the LIFC Council, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, expressed confidence about the establishment of the Lagos International Financial Centre based on the calibre of stakeholders behind the project.
Aig-Imoukhuede, who commended the unity and commitment of the key stakeholders to the LIFC project, reiterated the dedication of the private sector, saying, “Over the last few days, they have been getting us to see beyond what we are accepting to see and to think really big. It is very motivating to all of us in the private sector.”
The high level training is currently holding at the Moller Institute, University of Cambridge and participants include the Chairman of LIFC, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his co-Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, Senators Tokunboh Abiru, Adamu Aliero and Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, CEO of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms Aisha Rimi, representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other Senior Government officials.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
FEBRUARY 23, 2026
Begin golf training for 50 girls
Business mogul, Felix Aganbi, on Saturday expressed commitment to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria.
“All the young women, young kids out there, join us on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area”
He also urged parents in Nigeria and abroad to allow their daughters to attend the one day Canaan Land golf training and tournament in Koko, Delta State.
“The golf training and tournament will introduce girls to golf in a social and engaging environment. It will also help them build confidence, learn vital skills, and connect with others in a friendly community” Aganbi said in a statement issued Saturday morning.
Scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko, the event celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women as well as raise awareness for accelerated gender parity.
“A series of tests focusing on building foundation skills for some girls in preparation for the golf training took place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Cannan Land Golf Course, Koko” Aganbi said.
Tagged “The Biggest Giving Day of the Year” the event, according to Aganbi is projected to entrench attitude of excellence and develop young, highly quality golfers in terms of their golf quality and personal character,
“Open to girls in years 8-16, the training and tournament provide high quality coaching to assist the girl child in pursuing excellence in the sport of golf”
He listed technical skill development, comprehensive fitness and mental conditioning as key features of the training.
The statement emphasized the well-being of women and girls in Nigeria.
“The girls will learn the basics of golf grip, stance, posture alignment, golf rules and etiquette. They will also be taken for an 18-hole playing lesson”
It also highlighted the efforts of Akogate and Canaanland Club to help children and women obtain enough skills”
‘”The training and tournament will broaden opportunities for girls in Nigeria to realize their potential through education”
In particular, Aganbi invited young girls from Koko, Abigborodo, Asaba, Oghara, Mosogar, Jesse, Sapele, Warri, Ughelli and Benin to the training.
‘”Canaanland Country Club shall continue to encourage the education of females, improve the economic position of women and enhance their participation in matters relating to both the family and the society.
“It is also to join hands with the government in making our state a better place to live, campaign for the dismantling of systemic barriers and push for the power of reciprocity and abundant giving”
The girls will be taught techniques like chipping, putting and driving to give them a complete picture of the game. Our aim is to deliver great learning experiences which in turn encourages the girls to forge a lifelong love affair with the game’”
Driven by Sir Alfred and Mrs Warami Temile, Aganbi said the club would continue to provide necessary assistance for the general development of people, especially those who live in the rural areas.
“The March 8, 2026 training will celebrate women’s achievements, reinforce commitment to gender equality and rally for change”.
“Lunch will be served by Kashogi Restaurant during the International Women’s Day girl-child training session” the statement added.
The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Golf Classic, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko, has been cancelled” a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Hon Felix Aganbi, said.
“This is to ensure all parties are on the same page”
The statement expressed the commitment of Akogate Group and Canaanland Golf Club to improving the lives of Nigerian women and girls.
“We are currently working to get approval for the event” the statement said.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank our attendees for their understanding and continued support” the statement added.
If an individual can steal from the government willy-nilly and we find out many years later, and only after the fact, it means we have no checks and balances. Due to lack of checks and balances, the nation has become a prison where everyone is trying to escape.
Why was it easy for a former South-South governor to use state money for his campaign? What was the role of the members of the State House of Assembly? The primary responsibility of the members is to have oversight duties. They failed in this primary duty and the state is shortchanged.
This could have been prevented. Due to our military past, we have developed a culture of absolute power for the executive branch of government. The legislators see their roles as that of onlookers. They have a responsibility to devise checks and balances that will prevent executive lawlessness.
Finding out someone stole money only after they left office is a sign of timidity and lack of prerequisite for their positions. No one should have absolute power in a democracy. Executive arrogance, legislative incompetence and citizen apathy have become the standard practice in Nigeria.
It is difficult to prosecute such a person in a country with a rickety judicial system like Nigeria. The thieves have become the law and the nation is one big prison where all the inmates plan to escape.
The role of democracy is to develop checks and balances that will prevent such occurrences. Democracy demands preemptive and proactive measures to prevent such occurrences.
Nigeria is still practicing military dictatorship. Wherever power resides in Nigeria, it is always absolute. It is not placed under check and scrutiny.
From local associations in the village to the highest places in Nigeria, those who have power become absolute and behave recklessly.
Just look at what the police and soldiers do at check points. They have absolute powers. Any person in uniform can order a person into an unmarked vehicle and that is the last we see of that person. This is a clear and present danger.
It is our duty to safeguard public safety by subjecting these actions to scrutiny and interrogations that are needed in a democracy.
Our failure here is due to years of military dictatorship and outright brigandage. That is the micro representation of Nigeria. Those complaining about the stealing now will not be different if they are given those positions. The reason is that the probability that they will get away with the abuse of office is one hundred percent.
A former governor in North-West made an allusion to this fact in his interaction with his most strident critic in Kaduna. After one abrasive criticism from this man, the ex-governor decided to invite him. He sent a cab driver to pick him up, asked the taxi driver to wait and take him back home. After the meeting, he gave the journalist about one hundred thousand (this figure may not be accurate) and fifty thousand for the taxi drive. The critic was told to give the driver 50,000. The Journalist was full of praise and ebullience. The journalist left. He gave the taxi driver N5, 000 and kept the rest of the money. After they exited the gate, the security stopped them to say the governor has one last discussion. When they arrived back, the governor asked the taxi driver how much was given to him by the journalist. The driver said he received only N5, 000.
This is our conundrum. The governor only wanted to make a point but people praised him for his wisdom.
I am not fooled. If the governor actually was interested in solving the problem, he would give the driver his money directly in the presence of the journalist. That would have been better news but he decided to entrap the journalist.
Wherever power resides in Nigeria, it is absolute. Nobody questions it. This behavior is antithetical to democratic norms. This is a carry-over from military dictatorship. We only knew late head of state stole money after he died. What about a former head of state from the North Central? How come no one talks about him? No one does because his power is absolute.
Democracy has to do with checks and balances at all level. Everyone in a democracy is a servant of the law. The opposite is true in Nigeria. Everyone is a servant of those who rule in Nigeria.
Those who hold power must be interrogated. The people in power in Nigeria are like kings and manors. Elected officials are not responsive to those who elected them. They behave as if they got to their present position through a coup. They are arrogant and distant from those who elected or rigged elections for them. They have no sense of justice and anything they say is considered the law by the oppressed. They bellow orders to Nigerians.
Where leaders of advanced democracies would tip toe around thorny issues, the Nigerian governor will come with a bulldozer and loudspeakers to intimidate the citizens. There is no intellectual application in finding solutions to problems because they consider themselves the law. The undeserving voters have surrendered and they just watch as those they elected violate and brutalize them.
If someone challenges these absolute monarchs, they pass an edict to make the illegal legal. They have supporters who they whip into emotional frenzy and use as an army of thugs to intimidate those who think otherwise.
No one personifies this arrogance than the governors in Nigeria. These people are dictators who have no understanding or respect for the rule of law.
Now let me settle on the whipping boy, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This is not because he is the worst; it is because he has the enviable position of being the governor of Lagos State which is a microcosm of Nigeria. Any action in Lagos State is under the microscope. If not for the seriousness of what he does, this man gives me comedy relief.
Apart from his demolition crusade in Lagos, there are things he does that are so funny and outright absurd. He has been sitting on the Supreme Court Judgement that told the people of Magodo to vacate and leave the place for the real owners. This man actually told those who won the case on national television that he is looking for alternative place so that they will leave the oppressors to enjoy their stolen land on Magodo. This is wrong. This people should vacate the place as ruled by the Supreme Court.
The governor refusing to surrender Magodo to those who won is a gross and severe violation of the law that he should be cited for contempt of the Supreme Court.
The time to negotiate with the original owner was before the court made a ruling. Any negotiation after the court ruling is a violation of the court order and continued abuse of his powers. You don’t mediate after a ruling has been made by the Supreme Court. He must be called to order on this.
Sanwo- Olu never stops to tickle me. There was the case where he saw a soldier going the opposite way in a one-way street. This was a comedy of errors and was very hilarious to watch. Sanwo-Olu confronted the man, arrested him and put him in one of the convoy cars for violating the law. The soldier immediately protested and told Sanwo-Olu that he is a soldier and as such that one way rule does not apply to him. The governor told him he doesn’t care, nobody is above the law. He is right with this statement.
Let us scrutinize what happened there. The soldier believes he has a right to violate traffic law. Sanwo-Olu believes he has a right to arrest and detain this man because the man violated the law. Both are wrong. Sanwo-Olu does not have the power to arrest any citizen. He is not the DA or the police. He, like any other citizen, can only make a complaint to the appropriate authorities. The soldier is wrong for violating the law. No one is exempted from the law.
In a democracy, that soldier can sue Sanwo- Olu for wrongful detention and imprisonment. If that car moves from that location with the soldier still inside, the governor will be arraigned for kidnapping.
This is the level of idiocy of those in power in Nigeria. Their horizon is very narrow and they have egos that are unchecked. They have no respect for the rule of law because they think the law doesn’t apply to them and their followers agree.
Nigeria is a big theatre of the absurd. We need to restructure so that we can get away from this big tent of idiocy.
Any time I watch the robust debate of parliaments in other countries, I whip for Nigeria. In the midst of all the killings and centrifugal forces tearing the nation apart, why is the National Assembly so quiet?
Since the inception of this democratic order, there is no quotable quote from any of these Senators or representatives. There is no debate. The president is now the one that makes laws and no one is asking any questions.
Democracy requires vigilance and continuous interrogation of the status quo. Democracy dies when the citizens fall asleep. We must wake up to keep our democracy alive. Everyone has a role to play. Democracy is not a spectator’s sport. Everyone must be a participant. Any attempt to shirk this responsibility of citizenship is an invitation to tyranny.
Another election time is upon us and we are being inundated with an election by automatic ticket. There is no democracy if people are automatically selected. Democracy means the voters have to re-evaluate those they elected periodically. Any deviation from this is an assault on the will of the people. Any deviation from this is not a democracy but a bad omen that will truncate the rights of the people to choose.
DR AUSTIN ORETTE WRITES FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS
BREAKING: LIRS EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS TO FEBRUARY 7, 2026
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of employers’ annual tax returns by one week, from February 1 to February 7, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, explained that the statutory deadline for filing of employers’ annual tax returns is January 31, every year. He noted that the extension is intended to provide employers with additional time to complete and submit accurate tax returns.
Dr. Subair stated that employers must give priority to the timely filing of their annual returns, noting that compliance should be embedded as a routine business practice.
He also reiterated that electronic filing through the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved method for submitting annual returns, as manual filings have been completely phased out. Employers are therefore required to file their returns exclusively through the LIRS eTax portal: https://etax.lirs.net.
Describing the platform as secure, user-friendly, and accessible 24/7, Dr. Subair advised employers to ensure that the TaxID (Tax Identification Number) of all employees is correctly captured in their submissions.
For further enquiries or assistance, employers may visit any LIRS office or contact the Service through the following channels:
Signed
Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude
Head, Corporate Communications, LIRS
President General of Okpe Union (Worldwide), Prof. Igho Natufe, has urged the Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to uplift Okpe Nation and recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality; just as his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa did for his Ika and Ndokwa people.
‘’It is gratifying to have one of your own as the Governor of any state, especially for us in Okpe Nation. We are elated; and pray for his success. Fundamentally, we hope that he will uplift Okpe Nation and recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality; just as his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa did for his Ika and Ndokwa people. By doing this, Okpe Nation will become an equal partner with other ethnic nationalities in Delta State to benefit from the Governor’s MORE/RENEWED HOPE agenda. A recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality will allow us to be included as a direct participant and stakeholder in DESOPADEC’’
The illustrious son of Okpe Kingdom in Delta State, Nigerian-born Sovietologist, alumnus of the Peoples Friendship University, specialist in International Relations and Soviet/Russian Foreign Policy also echoed the place of democratic tenets in Okpe Kingdom.
‘’We firmly believe that the observance of democratic tenets is fundamental for the growth and development of any system, whether monarchical or otherwise. Our position that Okpe Kingdom is not an absolute monarchy derives from the founding principles of the Okpe Kingdom by the four princely brothers – Orhue, Orhorho, Evbreke, and Esezi. Even though they were the great grandchildren of Oba Ozolua of Benin Kingdom (reign: 1481 – 1504), they established a democratic principle of electing an Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
The former Professor of Political Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana (1978-1980), the University of Benin, Benin-City (1980-1989), and Senior Advisor to the Government of Canada (1970-1978, 1989-2011), spoke in Lagos.
He said the choice of the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom was a marked deviation from the Benin tradition where the first son is crown king.
‘’In choosing the first Orodje of Okpe, the four Brothers settled on the youngest via a unique democratic formula. The eldest, Prince Orhue was too old and proposed that the youngest, Esezi ascend the Throne. This was because the two middle brothers, Orhorho and Evbreke were too quarrelsome. In a unique display of a novel democratic practice, the brothers decided to crown their youngest brother, who ascended the Throne as Esezi I, the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. It was a democratic experiment in contradiction to the absolute monarchical system of the Benin Kingdom. The four princely Brothers all agreed that the Orodjeship would rotate among the four Ruling Houses. The election of an Orodje is undertaken in two stages. Firstly, delegates from the particular Ruling House whose turn it is to produce an Orodje will vote for their candidates. The second stage is at the Udogun Okpe (Okpe Traditional Council) to ratify the election. On the other hand, it is incongruous to have an “absolute monarchy” in a democratic republican polity’’
The Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences (2013-2015 and 2018-2025), Director, Ukraine-Africa Centre, Institute of World History, said it was contradictory for a monarchy to coexist with a republican system in the bowels of the same polity.
‘’This contradiction is exacerbated when a monarch attempts to rule a polity in which he possesses no defined constitutional authority to rule. When Nigeria became a Republic on October 1, 1963 it retained a House of Chiefs in each of the then four federating regions, in an attempt to replicate the British House of Lords, as the upper house in each of the regions. This gave the chiefs, who were traditional rulers in their respective domains, a constitutional role as parliamentarians. Thus, they saw themselves as both parliamentarians in the House of Chiefs and as monarchs in their respective kingdoms. This admixture was a conceptual blunder infused into the political system by the Nigerian political leaders in 1963. This blunder has been aggravated by the continuous failures of succeeding political leaders to resolve the contradiction resolutely by deciding on this crucial issue: Remain a Federal Republic of Nigeria and abolish traditional rulership or declare the country a United Kingdoms of Nigeria. In the former, traditional rulers will be extinguished as their existence contravenes the dictat of a Republic, while the latter recognizes their constitutional role as heads of states of their respective kingdoms’’.
Even as a head of state of a given kingdom, if we were in a United Kingdom of Nigeria, the role of a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, according to Natufe will be defined by whether the system is a constitutional monarchy (like the United Kingdom) or an absolute monarchy (like Saudi Arabia).
‘’If Okpe Nation were a constitutional monarchy the Orodje would reign but cannot rule. Conversely, if Okpe Nation were an absolute monarchy the Orodje will possess and exercise an unquestioned political and legislative power and authority to reign and rule as he pleases in accordance to the mediaeval concept of the divine right of kings, whose pronouncements are considered law, final and binding on all citizens. Constitutionally speaking, Nigeria is not a monarchy. Therefore, it is severely injurious to the political system to speak of monarchies in the polity. This injury is exemplified by the way several political leaders have used and abused traditional rulers across the country since 1960’’.
He stressed the main thrust of Okpe Union’s ideological construct.
‘’The main thrust of Okpe Union’s ideological construct is to promote, propagate, and defend the interests of the Okpe Nation in a multi-ethnic Delta State and in Nigeria. Towards this end, we consider it existential for the Government of Delta State to recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, a distinction which was extinguished by the British Colonial Government by wrongly classifying Okpe as Urhobo. Phrased differently, we are demanding the rights of Okpe Nation to self-determination. Fighting for freedom, the liberation of a people, a Nation, is a noble but risky venture which only a conscious minority is called upon by History to undertake. Historically, not all enslaved peoples want or understand freedom. Harriet Tubman, one of America’s most revered abolitionists of the 19th and early 20th centuries risked her life so that Black Americans could be free. Her “underground railway” project led to the freedom of millions of Black Americans, and defined the self-determination movement of Black Americans in the 20th century. The Okpe Union is playing a similar role in Okpe Nation’.
Natufe paid tribute to the following founding fathers that had the foresight to establish Okpe Union and served in the first National Executive Council of the Union.
‘’It gave me great joy to preside over the 95th Anniversary Celebrations of the Okpe Union on May 15 – 16, 2025, at Obalende, Lagos. For those who may not know, Okpe Union is the oldest ethnic organization in Nigeria. We paid tribute to the following founding fathers that had the foresight to establish Okpe Union and served in the first National Executive Council of the Union: Thomas O. Ake of Mereje Town: President, M. A. Ero of Ughoton: Vice President, Inspector Odeghe (later known as Chief Odeghe) of Oha: General Secretary, J. K. Ogodo of Sapele: Auditor, Uweriavwe Ake of Mereje Town: Treasurer, J. U. Igberiewe of Okuokpokpor: Assistant Treasurer, J. E. Uwerhievwe of Esubi: Member, Uko of Jeddo: Member and J. E. Ewhiewhie: Member’’.
The renowned political scientist commended Okpe Union members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora who made the 95th Anniversary a huge success
‘’I do not have sufficient words to thank all our members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora who made the 95th Anniversary a huge success, considering that they graciously provided the resources as their altruistic contributions to the growth and development of the Okpe Nation. Members of the National Planning Committee and the Local Planning Committee were marvelous. They are the pillars of the Okpe Union that did the heavy lifting’’.
Natufe spoke on the landmark achievements of the Union in 2025 and expectations in 2026.
‘’Keeping the Union focused on our goals and objectives. The celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Okpe Union definitely was the highlight of 2025. We registered new branches and members across Nigeria and the Diaspora. In 2026, we shall intensify our sensitization and outreach programme to various Okpe organizations and leaders (traditional and political) in pursuit of the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. We shall, simultaneously, intensify our advocacy for the renaming of Okpe LGA and Sapele LGA to Okpe East LGA and Okpe West LGA, respectively’’.
He called for true federalism in the country.
‘’Okpe Union strongly supports the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism. We are working collaboratively with other ethnic nationalities in different national organizations across Nigeria to affect this restructuring. For example, we actively participated in the drafting of an Executive Bill on the subject which was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as a submission to the Federal House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee. We are working with other ethnic nationalities and national organizations to ensure the success of these initiatives in 2026’’.
He also spoke on bursar award, sensitization and outreach programmes to various Okpe organizations and leaders (traditional and political) in pursuit of the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
‘’The motive is simple: we initiated a bursary programme for Okpe students in higher institutions as part of our efforts to actualize the vision of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union and to provide less privileged but talented Okpe nationals with higher education. The 2025 Bursary was awarded to 12 (twelve) Okpe sons and daughters, in line with the vision of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union to establish a base for human capital and economic development of the Okpe Nation. Recall that the Founding Fathers offered scholarships to FOUR Okpe sons to study overseas in their individual field of endeavor. This laudable policy initiative of our Founding Fathers should not and must not be allowed to die due mainly to the present economic hardship in Nigeria today. Hence, for the past three years, the Okpe Union has limited the award to Bursary in the meantime’’.
Currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants INC and author of Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev and Russian Foreign Policy in Search of Influence, Natufe emphasized the need to defend Okpe national interests and territorial integrity.
‘’We do not want to recast any distortion of facts regarding Okpe Identity that emanated from some media houses in the past year. We have moved forward beyond that. We are in a democratic political system where freedom of speech is highly recognized. But be rest assured that we are vigilant in reviewing all publications regarding Okpe Nation and we remain resolute in defending Okpe national interests and territorial integrity’’.