General
Oyo Sensitises Butchers, Cattle Dealers on Anthrax
The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, sensitized butchers and livestock dealers on the deadly anthrax disease as it strengthened surveillance of abattoirs for detection and prevention of the animal disease.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said it is part of the state government’s efforts to forestall the outbreak of anthrax disease in the state.
According to him, anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria – Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in the soil and affects domestic and wild animals.
He said people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Mr Olaleye said the awareness was to inform stakeholders, especially butchers, cattle dealers/sellers, and consumers, on the need to guard against anthrax disease.
The Commissioner stated that there was currently no suspected or confirmed case of anthrax in the state. Rather, preventive measures must be adhered to.
He said the essence of the sensitisation was to create awareness on the preventive and control measures to tackle the menace of anthrax.
According to him, butchers and cattle dealers/sellers need to know the symptoms of anthrax disease and how to prevent it.
“The state government under the leadership of Mr Seyi Makinde has put every machinery in place with necessary stakeholders to curtail the outbreak of the anthrax. Part of it is that information has been sent to all veterinary doctors and directors of agriculture across the 33 local governments in the state to be on red alert”.
The Commissioner, however, called on the association of butchers, cattle dealers, and cattle sellers to support the government’s effort in preventing anthrax by ensuring that the cattle to be slaughtered were well observed by the veterinary Doctors.
He also advised the general public to be cautioned on animals they consume, having in mind that the disease can only be contracted through animals.
The Commissioner said the deadly disease that had claimed some lives was a bacteria disease that affects both animals and man.
Speaking on the Anthrax disease, the Deputy Director, Veterinarians Services, Mrs Mofoluwake Ibitoye said anthrax is an infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis that occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals.
According to her, the affected animals would go off feed, weak, may have fever for a while, when it dies, there would be unclotted blood (watery blood) bleeding through all the openings in the body, such as anus, nostrils, mouth and ear. When these are noticed, they should inform the nearest veterinary Doctors or contact the ministry.
She added that the ministry is collaborating with other MDAs to ensure people are fully aware of the disease.
Mrs Ibitoye equally urged butchers and the general public to be cautious and ensure they patronise only government approved abattoir as well as to go for hygienic animals for their consumption.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Butchers Association, Ibadan North Chapter, Mr Nureni Areo commended the government for being proactive, stressing that the government should ensure total enforcement.
He advised that only Government approved abattoirs in the state should be patronised, urging the government to ensure proper screening of animals before entering the state.
He expressed readiness of the association to support the government.
Places visited for the awareness were Amosun central Abattoir, Lam Adesina International Cattle Market, and Goat sellers market at Akinyele local government, amongst others.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”
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