General
2019: Williams Scores Buhari, Ambode, Badru Low
**Says PDP Not Dead in Lagos
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives hopeful, Ms Violet Olaitan Williams, on Sunday presented a detailed report to Lagos Island leaders on the poor performance of the lawmaker representing Lagos Island Constituency 1, Mr Enitan Dolapo Badru.
She also engaged the leaders with a larger vision for job creation to reduce unemployment in Lagos State.
“Well, people have different ideas to positions. Firstly, the incumbent is not from my constituency but a product of the leader says (Baba Sope). He is not a man of the people. Does he know the history of this community? The answer is no. He is a product of godfatherism. He hasn’t done anything. He is a failure,” she said.
Ms Williams, in an hour long meeting with the political leaders on Sunday, accused the lawmaker of contributing to stagnation of the area.
“There is nothing to show for the many years in the House of Representatives. It is not about summer school but empowerment. His constituency office is here. Has he ever been there? You won’t blame him much if his impact is so negligible. I’m an indigene of the community. I know the people and I know our challenges, hence my maritime education advocacy. Badru represents stagnation,” she said.
The politician, a stakeholder in the maritime sector, stated that the PDP was not dead in Lagos State contrary to the belief in some quarters.
“To Salvador, PDP is dead because he has left. He didn’t go with fifteen thousand people from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is just a figment of his imagination. From each local government, we have minimum of two aspirants jostling for one seat. How can you now say PDP is dead? Our leaders are intact. APC has so many factions.”
Ms Williams, who defected to PDP with Engineer Funsho Williams, promised to improve the coastal locations in Lagos Island.
“Nigeria is a maritime nation. Lagos state is a maritime hub. Why should we be talking of unemployment? I’ll eradicate joblessness amongst our teeming youths by advocating the use of our water ways effectively, creating cottage industries for our women and encouraging tourism.
“Since the global community is talking entrepreneurial skills, boat building will be encouraged. I’ll engage the youths to careers of the 21st century that will eradicate the menace of the area boys,” she stated.
Ms Williams said her chances of winning in the 2019 election in Lagos Island Constituency 1 remain very bright.
“My chances of winning the House of Representatives election in 2019 are bight. I am not a stranger here. This is the first time a native of the community, a grassroots politician and a mother will be offering herself to bring the past glories of the famous Olowogbowo back to her constituents. I contested in 2007 and came second in PDP primaries. So this time around, I know I’ve gathered enough skills to improve the lot of my people.”
She urged the leaders to support her ambition.
“It’s about genuine service to the community. They should know that it’s a four year mortgage if they don’t get it right and if they get it right, it will transform their lives. They should vote wisely for a better change and representation where prosperity will come into the community.
Ms Williams also spoke about the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode must improve the waste management services we have now. We’ve never had it this bad. It is near epidemic state. The trailer menace has crippled businesses and the bridges are becoming weak by the day. These two problems were addressed by Babatunde Fashola with promptness He is just after amassing wealth at the expense of the masses.”
“President Muhammadu Buhari is living in past glory of Mr No Nonsense. Sycophants are taking advantage of him. In the civil service rules, 65yrs is the statutory retirement age. Why is he clinging to power like most African leaders when we have the younger generation that can turn around the economy of the nation? I personally feel pained that a maritime nation with so many opportunities is talking about recession and unemployment. Our GDP should be one of the best because be it solid minerals, agricultural products and good weather. We are richly endowed but we lack strong, effective institutions that can curb the excesses of our people. The wrong person is in the right office all because of the Nigerian factor. We need proactive, dynamic youths that can compete with the global younger generation presidents.”
“We are looking at ideas and representation. It is not about political party. It is about the individual and the development of the community,” she added.
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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