General
Egbin Power Tasks Women to Remain Bold in Pursuit of Excellence
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The need for increased participation of women in every facets of life for a sustainable future has again been emphasised by a leading power generation company in Nigeria, Egbin Power Plc.
At an event to commemorate 2025 International Women’s Day, the organisation underscored the invaluable contributions of women in the power sector and other sectors.
The chief executive of the GenCo, Mr Mokhtar Bounour, reaffirmed Egbin Power’s commitment to fostering gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, urging women to remain bold in the pursuit of excellence and confident in their various endeavours.
“At Egbin Power, we believe that diversity is not just a goal but a necessity for innovation and growth. Women play a vital role in society and the industry, and their contributions continue to drive our success.
“Today, we celebrate their achievements and reaffirm our pledge to create a workplace where every woman can thrive,” he stated.
Mr Bounour also commended women all over the world, and Nigerian women, particularly for their immense role in various fields and at the home front, noting that their significant impact is meaningful and has contributed to the development of the sector at large.
Part of Egbin Power’s initiative to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day included presentations, mentorship sessions, and an interactive workshop where two guest speakers engaged female employees in activities designed to broaden their horizons and empower women to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
One of the highlights was a presentation titled Accelerate Action: A Call to Do More, delivered by a guest speaker, the Managing Director of MML Consulting Ltd, Ms Ijeoma Nwakuche.
While providing insights on overcoming challenges, especially in a male-dominated industry, Ms Nwakuche noted that “women still need equality and equity in the world today; hence it is important to reinforce the call for women to rise up, to be seen, heard, and recognised for the things they deserve, particularly in the workplace.”
According to her, International Women’s Day provides organisations, governments, and individuals the opportunity to encourage women to believe in themselves, think boldly, and act decisively.
She commended the board and management of Egbin Power for their robust support of women in the organisation through various platforms, stressing these initiatives demonstrate that the company encourages women and provides an enabling environment for them to succeed.
The Managing Director of CECCY Health, Dr. Yomi Jaye, who was also a guest speaker, spoke on Mental Health and Lifestyle Approaches for Women.
He emphasised the need for women to prioritise their health to enable them actively play their roles in every field of life and at home, stating the importance of a healthy diet, quality sleep, and exercise in contributing to emotional and mental well-being.
To inspire women to utilise their unique skills and talents, the Chief Corporate Service Officer of Egbin Power, Mr Emmanuel Udu, spoke on Turning Your Passion into a Side Hustle, emphasizing that passion can be a powerful catalyst for entrepreneurship.
“By identifying what they love to do and the skills they have, women can transform their interests into viable business ventures that not only provide personal fulfilment but also financial independence,” Mr Udu noted.
At the event, the CEO of Egbin Power recognized some outstanding women for their contributions to the organization and the sector.
The CEO’s Special Awards were presented to recipients including Jadesola Ogundipe in Electrical Department; Endurance Otaru in Business Operations Department and Engr. Temitope Abdulsalam, a Senior Manager, TCN–Egbin Sub-Region.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 1.14 million hectares of degraded land have been restored by the Nigerian government, with more than 1.5 million trees planted across the country in the past year.
This information was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the 2026 Top Management Retreat and National Tree Planting Campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He said these achievements were made through initiatives of the federal government like the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.
According to him, the restoration of the land and the planting of trees demonstrate a clear national commitment to securing environmental sustainability while advancing economic growth.
The Minister reemphasised that the environment is not an abstract concept, pointing out that “it is the air we breathe, the land that feeds us, the rivers that sustain communities, and the climate that shapes the future.”
He praised Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his giant strides in the environment sector in the state, urging other state governors to emulate him by providing sponsorship for their students to the various Federal Colleges of Forestry Resources Management institutions located across the six geo-political zones of the country to encourage and boost Forest education in the country.
He described the decision of Mr Zulum to sponsor 540 indigenes of the state to a forestry college in Maiduguri as commendable.
Mr Lawal also informed the participants of the programme that the Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, is a key policy instrument under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying it protects Nigeria’s forest resources, curbs illegal logging, and encourages tree planting as a national duty.
He pledged the Federal Ministry of Environment’s continued partnership with state governments on afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and other interventions tailored to their needs.
“Nigeria’s environmental future can be secured by protecting natural heritage, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development for present and future generations,” he declared.
