General
Creative Professionals, Policymakers, Others Head to Osun for 2025 SDG Conference
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
From January 28 to 30, 2025, some creative professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, and thought influencers will be in Osun State to explore how the state can harness its cultural and artistic assets to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These critical stakeholders will gather at the SDG Skill Acquisition Centre in Iragbiji, Osun State for this event, supported by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
A statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr Bamikole Omishore, disclosed that the programme seeks to position Osun State as a leading force in the creative economy.
According to him, particular focus will be placed on three SDGs: Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; and Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Mr Omishore the theme of the event Innovate, Create, and Transform: Unlocking the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development was chosen to highlight the vital role creativity plays in driving economic growth, noting that the conference reflects the administration’s commitment to using creativity as a catalyst for economic development.
He said the gathering would feature a variety of interactive sessions, exhibitions, and cultural displays designed to inspire and empower participants.
Key themes will include unlocking creativity for global opportunities, exploring investment opportunities in Osun’s digital and creative sectors, and shaping narratives for change and influence, alongside a cultural and Adire exhibition, he stated.
“This event, with over 700 registered participants, is in line with Governor Adeleke’s agenda to stimulate economic growth by harnessing creativity and innovation.
“Through collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Culture and Tourism, Agency on Creativity, Entertainment and Arts, stakeholders, private sector leaders, and development partners, who have worked relentlessly to bring this groundbreaking conference to life,” Mr Omishore explained.
Also commenting on the forthcoming programme, the Chairman of the Osun State House of Assembly Committees on ICT and SDG, Mr Adewumi Adeyemi, said, “The Osun State SDG Creatives Conference 2025 highlights the essential role of creativity and culture in achieving sustainable development.
“By fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation, this conference will help to build a more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant creative economy. We also hope this event will provide a sustainable framework to push Osun’s creative sector forward.”
On his part, the Special Adviser on Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Azeez Badmus, said, “Through the Osun SDG Creatives Conference, innovators and creators will drive Osun’s digital future, inspiring the youth to uncover their talents, share their unique stories, and shape their futures through the power of technology.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has pledged its commitment to provide the regulatory leadership, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement required to successfully develop and implement a robust National Action Plan on maritime decarbonization in Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Mr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during the National Stakeholders’ workshop on the development of a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan, further describing the workshop as a critical step in actualising the Federal Government’s blue economy and climate objectives.
Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Mr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG underscored the significance of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, a technical cooperation initiative /designed to support developing countries in implementing the IMO GHG Strategy.
According to him, the National Action Plan being developed will reflect national realities, leverage existing capacities, address identified gaps, and align with broader economic and environmental priorities of the federal government.
Mr Mobereola stressed that “this transition is not merely about compliance with international obligations, it is about safeguarding our marine environment, protecting public health, strengthening the blue economy, and ensuring that our maritime industry remains competitive and future-ready”, the DG said.
Also speaking at the event was the Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Ms Astrid Dispert, who highlighted that the overarching objective of the initiative is to advance a coherent and globally aligned regulatory framework to accelerate maritime decarbonization.
She also emphasised that NIMASA plays a pivotal role in driving the project at the national level.
The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project provides technical expertise and institutional support to assist countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans that promote sustainable shipping practices, encourage investment in clean technologies, and strengthen capacity for long-term emissions reduction.
Through this collaboration, the federal government is advancing deliberate steps towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the sector.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with its digital submission process effective March 1.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Director-General of the Bureau, Mr Adebowale Adedokun, noting that the move was part of the bureau’s commitment to digital transformation and paperless governance.
It explained that the transition followed an earlier circular of Aug. 4, 2025, which introduced electronic submission procedures.
According to the bureau, it has successfully moved from physical filings to a dedicated e-mail service for document submissions and is now advancing to a more robust and integrated system.
The circular announced the inauguration of the BPP Digital Submission Portal, a web-based platform designed to enable MDAs submit procurement-related documents directly to the Bureau.
It stated that the automated platform would streamline the submission process, enhance transparency and ensure accelerated tracking of procurement-related documents and petitions.
“With effect from March 1, all MDAs will be required to use the portal to submit requests for ‘No Objection’ Certificates, approvals for ‘No Objection’ for special procurements, clarifications and status updates on submissions,” the bureau said.
It added that the portal would be hosted on the Bureau’s official website and would become fully operational from the effective date.
The bureau warned that physical submissions or manual hand-deliveries would no longer be prioritised and would eventually be rejected following the full transition to the digital platform.
It urged accounting officers to brief their procurement departments and ICT units on the development to ensure seamless processing of procurement activities from March 1.
It further advised MDAs to contact the Bureau via its official email for information on the onboarding process and integration into the portal.
The bureau emphasised that full compliance by all MDAs was required to ensure a smooth transition and avoid delays in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal year procurement processes.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, from office.
The Senate Committee on Finance, while passing a resolution in Abuja on Thursday, accused Mr Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), of failing to honour the Senate’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
“He refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.
“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses,” the Chairman of the committee, Mr Sani Musa, said as the committee passed the resolution.
CAC was part of a group of agencies that the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended zero allocation for the year 2026, for allegedly failing to account for public funds appropriated to them.
The committee, at an investigative hearing held two weeks ago, accused CAC and some other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of shunning invitations to respond to audit queries contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s annual reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The PAC chairman, Mr Bamidele Salam, stated that the National Assembly should not continue to appropriate public funds to institutions that disregard accountability mechanisms, saying this will create fiscal discipline and strengthen transparency across federal institutions and conform with extant financial regulations and the oversight powers of the parliament.
“Public funds are held in trust for the Nigerian people. Any agency that fails to account for previous allocations, refuses to submit audited accounts, or ignores legislative summons cannot, in good conscience, expect fresh budgetary provisions. Accountability is not optional; it is a constitutional obligation,” he said.
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