By Felix Aganbi

Churches in the Niger Delta region are set to honour Itsekiri Bible Translator and dominant political force during the Second Republic, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi.

“Hundreds of people, including high profile politicians, religious leaders and business moguls will honour Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in Koko” a statement by the chief executive of Akogate Group, Mr Felix Aganbi, said.

Tagged Koko Sings for Deacon Stephen Aganbi, the statement said artists and church choirs from across the country have been invited to the special carol service in honour of a man of character, courage and compassion.

The event scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 at Canaan Land, Koko Road will bring guests from Nigeria and abroad.

Deacon Stephen Aganbi was a lawyer, a community leader and a lover of God. He was a highly reputed politician of the Second Republic in Nigeria and the Olare-Aja (community leader) of Koko’’.

The nonagenarian, gifted interpreter and scholar died on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

The 99-year-old legal luminary, politician par excellence and an astute intellectual was interred on Saturday, May 9, 2020 in his hometown.

Deacon Aganbi served as chairman for the Itsekiri Bible Translation Project, the team that completed the Old and New Testament translation in the Itsekiri language.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Canaan Land Smart City Golf Tournament and Business conference will begin on Friday, December 12 in Delta State.

“Koko Town has the huge potential for investment, particularly in real estate, agriculture, health, tourism and other areas. So we are expecting investors and some of the most famous and highly-ranked golfers in the sport’s history and in the contemporary game from different parts of the world” Mr Aganbi added.

The golf tournament and business and conference will be held from 12-14 December, 2025 in Canaan Land, Koko Town.

“Koko Town is a hub for fishing and shrimping operations. There are a lot of oil and gas companies. Whether you are a local or foreign investor or looking at residential or commercial properties, there is something for everyone in Koko.”

The statement said “the event will showcase the diverse range of opportunities that the port town has to offer”

On security, Mr Aganbi said “Steps have been taken to ensure that visitors from within and outside the country have a secure and conducive atmosphere within which to assess the economic opportunities of Koko.”

He emphasized the tight security in Koko and the hospitality for which the residents are known.

“Top business men in Nigeria and abroad, members of the diplomatic corps and key actors in government across the country are looking forward to converging on Koko beginning from December 12, 2025. They are excited by the prospect of experiencing the hospitality for which the good people of Koko are known for and the vast opportunities for commerce, tourism and industry.”

According to Mr Aganbi, the event is expected to drive long term sustainable economic participation and create new opportunities for local and foreign investors in the area.

“It will provide valuable insights into untapped business opportunities, encourage private sector participation, showcase the real estate and tourism potentials of Koko and unite the people and the communities.

“Situated off Benin-Sapele expressway, the port town is 30 minutes’ drive from Benin City and over 45 minutes away from Warri town by road.  Koko has the best aquatic products in Nigeria as of today. Completion of the coastal road will reduce travel time between Delta and Lagos to less than two hours. There are ongoing refinery projects. People who are coming to Koko will be in for a surprise,” he added.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

It was a joyous moment recently at the headquarters of Airtel Nigeria in Lagos as Airtel Africa Foundation joined others across the globe to celebrate the International Volunteer Day 2025.

The organisation celebrated the impact of the Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP), a flagship initiative by which employees volunteer their time, expertise, and personal resources to advancing the foundation’s mission across 14 African markets.

The EVP has become a cornerstone of Airtel Africa Foundation’s community impact, empowering employees to drive local CSR initiatives and champion causes that promote education, digital skills, environmental responsibility, and youth empowerment.

Over the years, the EVP in Nigeria has delivered tangible outcomes through numerous impactful initiatives such as financial donations to the Lagos State Government COVID-19 control efforts.

In 2025 alone, volunteers have contributed more than 200 hours of service, reaching over 100,000 beneficiaries.

Through the programme, volunteers have contributed significantly to initiatives such as the International Day of Education Essay Competition, Teacher-for-a-Day sessions, beach clean-ups, market sensitisation exercises to reduce plastic waste, and the Airtel-3MTT NextGen Fellowship for young Nigerians.

“International Volunteer Day reminds us that real impact begins with people who are willing to show up and serve.

“Today, we honour the incredible dedication of Airtel employees, whose selfless commitment of time and talent is the engine behind our progress.

“Their contribution is the backbone of our work and the reason we continue to transform communities across Africa,” the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, commented.

On his part, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Femi Adeniran, said, “Volunteering is at the heart of who we are.

“Behind every empowered learner, every restored environment, and every connected community is an individual who believed in making a difference, and we are thankful for your participation.

“Our mission remains clear: to use technology, resources, and our collective humanity to build a digitally inclusive, socially responsible, and sustainable Africa.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said on Monday that the Nigerian government has rescued around 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.

According to a CAN spokesperson in Niger State, Mr Daniel Atori, the rescue was confirmed by government officials on Monday morning, without providing further details.

On November 21, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, a hamlet in Niger state, and abducted 315 people comprising over 300 pupils and students, including 12 teachers.

Fifty pupils managed to escape with help of farmers in the following hours, but since then, there had been no update on the whereabouts or conditions of the other children.

Speaking then, the chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN and Catholic bishop of Kontagora diocese, Mr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the pupils regained freedom were quietly reunited with their families.

“Note that, in the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders.

“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away.

“As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors,” he said.

However, it is not clear how the Nigerian government secured the freedom of the students. As of press time, the government has not made any comment regarding the issue.