General
CHALIFF to Feed 1,000 Lagos Families Weekly
In its efforts to fight hunger, reduce poverty and provide access to potable water to the most vulnerable households and communities across Lagos State, a humanitarian organisation, Champions of Life Fellowship Foundation (CHALIFF) said it had concluded arrangements to feed about 1,000 families every week.
Founder of the organisation, Mr Olusegun Akanji, disclosed this at the handing over ceremony of two boreholes and complete water treatment systems with electricity-generating sets donated by his foundation to communities in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Mr Akanji explained that the gesture was borne out of a compelling desire to provide regular access to and supply of potable water, which is lacking in the entire area.
He said: “The need to provide access to water to the most vulnerable people has become expedient in the face of ravaging coronavirus disease, where water for washing hands and sanitation, which plays a critical role in the control of the spread of the disease, is scarce and rarely available to most residents.
“This is our third project in Ajegunle. The first one was ‘Standing Tall’, where we collected clothes, food items and distributed them to the people.
“Under this project, what we did was to give people in the neighbourhood experience of shopping.
“The second project was the one we did with children where we had a programme for over 250 students from various schools in Ajegunle.
“We have a 7-point curriculum that we teach on personal development. Then, we did school supplies such as bags, shoes, exercise books, and many others.
“Our next project is called Feed a Family. Our plan is to feed a thousand family within a week, depending on how people respond.
“That’s the project we are about to start now. The project will enable families that need food to be able to access food from us. We are not talking of cooked food, but uncooked packed food.
“Basically, Champions of Life Fellowship Foundation is involved in empowering people, particularly children. Our projects focus on people. We empower communities to drive systemic change.
“What we are doing today is to fulfil the promise we made to the people last year to provide portable water in the two communities, located in LA Primary school in Amukoko and at the Ebenezer Primary school, Awodiora.
“The water projects will serve both the schools and communities. We sited the projects in the schools where they can be controlled and not where they can easily be destroyed. That’s why we handed them over to the schools so that they can take responsibility.”
The foundation, which started operations about two years ago has embarked on many live changing programmes across the state.
Though it had not received funding from any individual, group or organisation, CHALIFF said it is open for partnership and collaboration.
Education Secretary, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Aboluwodi Adobufe, who received the donations on behalf of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, commended CHALIFF for the kind gesture.
Reacting, a teacher, Mrs Abakpa Martha, who represented Ebenezer Primary School at the commissioning, expressed gratitude to the foundation, describing the intervention as timely.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
