General
Ikorodu Roads Deadlier than Badoo Cultists—Security Expert
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Before now, Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos State, was always in the news because of the dreadful acts of the notorious Badoo cult group, which invaded residents’ homes and use pestle to smash victims’ heads to death.
But a foremost security outfit, Halogen Security Company Limited, has said the deplorable state of roads in the developing town is deadlier than the Badoo cult group.
As a result, the firm has appealed to federal government to urgently come to the rescue of residents in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
According to the organization, the traumatic experience of commuters on the Ikorodu-Shagamu road on a daily basis, coupled with the social problems they’ve had to endure in recent times were too much to bear.
“I think it is high time the government recognized the extreme risks commuters on the Ikorodu-Shagamu road are exposed to and act immediately.
“It is now commonplace for thieves, kidnappers, rapists and other criminal elements to lodge themselves in the worst portions of the roads where all vehicles practically come to a halt and carry out their nefarious activities especially at night.
“I cannot but agree with those who call that road a death trap. I dare say that the Ikorodu road at the moment is deadlier than the Badoo cultists that ravaged the communities a few months ago, Managing Director of Halogen, Mr Wale Olaoye, disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday.
Mr Olaoye lamented the fact that besides the dire security risks, the bad roads affect in no small way, the economic conditions in that axis.
“Commercial activity will suffer there because goods and services will be in short supply leading to price increases in virtually all consumer items.
“Vehicle owners cannot use their vehicles optimally as the many potholes and detours mean that vehicles keep breaking down and they end up at mechanics’ workshop at the end of most journey.
“The implication of this is that commuters plying that road are exposed to safety risk, health risk and their livelihood is also affected,” he said.
The security expert further emphasized that the presence of a number of federal and state institutions on the road, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), 174 Battalion Army Barracks, the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and many others, including major industrial companies explains the high density of vehicular movement on the road with associated security and enterprise risks.
Mr Olaoye advised the government to set up a think tank to develop a national security and enterprise risk policy to guide with short – and long-term strategies for improving the safety and security of the nation’s assets and its people.
“We can have a formula that looks at the management of our infrastructure from three perspectives. First is ‘Natural Events’ (Potential Disasters) such as flooding etc. Here we can analyse its frequency and severity based on actuarial data and it can be mitigated through sensors, design, and response.
“Next is what we call ‘Unintentional Events’ (Failures, Incidents). This can be gauged also by its frequency and severity based on experience and it can be managed through design, training, and response.
“The third perspective is that of ‘Intentional Attacks’ (Acts of sabotage, Vandalism). Here the frequency and severity is difficult to predict but it still can be mitigated through security, design, and response.
“Dilapidated roads affect both security and performance of a transportation system. There are a number of rehabilitation techniques that can both reduce the rate of aging of a structure and in turn, improve their security.
“We can utilize technology that would undoubtedly improve the government’s ability to effectively analyse its infrastructural assets and allocate resources to those that are most vulnerable,” Mr Olaoye submitted.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Three African subsidiaries of global advisory firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), have been debarred by the World Bank Group for 21 months after being found guilty of manipulating procurement processes for a major cross-border electricity project.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Washington-based multilateral lender said PricewaterhouseCoopers Associates Africa Ltd, based in Mauritius, along with its Kenyan and Rwandan affiliates, engaged in “collusive and fraudulent practices” linked to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, a flagship initiative to transmit hydropower from Ethiopia to Kenya.
The decision sidelines PwC from lucrative World Bank-funded projects on the continent, dealing a blow to one of the region’s most influential audit and advisory firms.
This development could reshape competition for high-value consulting work across emerging markets, potentially disrupting startups and tech firms reliant on World Bank funding, as scrutiny over governance and compliance tightens.
The World Bank, through its private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), offers grants and low-interest loans to startups across emerging markets.
Earlier this week, the IFC committed $20 million to invest in high-growth startups in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
“The debarment makes PwC Associates, PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda, and any affiliates they control ineligible to participate in Bank Group-financed projects and operations,” the World Bank said. “It is part of a settlement agreement under which the three companies admit culpability for sanctionable practices.”
The determination was based on the company’s conduct between 2019 and the award of contracts for consultancy services and asset valuation work for the Ethiopian state power utilities.
According to the World Bank statement, the firm obtained confidential procurement documents to improperly influence the award of a contract for the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards at the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
They also attempted to steer a separate contract for a fixed asset inventory and revaluation for the power utility towards PwC Associates. During the bidding and execution of that contract, the bank found that the company misrepresented the availability and qualifications of key experts and failed to disclose the full list of subconsultants involved.
According to the World Bank, the debarment is shorter than would otherwise apply because PwC admitted misconduct. The advisory firm also agreed to a series of remedial measures, including internal investigations, disciplinary action against responsible staff, terminating relationships with all subconsultants involved, and additional staff training.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK‑based Asset Green Limited to advance the development of a $496 million large‑scale integrated dairy livestock production and processing platform set to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry and strengthen national food security.
This was signed on Tuesday in London ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit. The MoU outlines the framework for collaboration and the project‑development cost commitments leading up to the formal shareholders’ agreement.
It will combine 20,000 hectares of climate‑smart, regenerative crop and forage production with a modern 10,000‑milking cow dairy operation, supported by a state‑of‑the‑art processing plant capable of producing fresh milk, milk powders, butter, cream, and up to 15,000 metric tonnes of infant formula annually.
Designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported milk powder, the project aims to modernise agricultural practices, improve nutrition, and integrate up to 10,000 rural households into the supply chain through inclusive out‑grower schemes. Once operational, the platform is expected to generate over $620 million annually and create 2,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide.
Speaking on this, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, said, “Over a decade ago, the UK provided pivotal support to Nigeria in establishing the NSIA, offering legal and financial expertise that helped lay the foundation for its successful launch and strengthening its governance and credibility. That early institutional investment has paid dividends, helping to build a resilient Nigerian institution capable of creating jobs and driving transformational, long‑term development.
“The NSIA and Asset Green partnership is a powerful example of how that groundwork continues to deliver impact – a full‑circle moment that reflects the long-term economic cooperation between the UK and Nigeria and the shared commitment to deepening sustainable, private‑sector‑driven growth.”
The NSIA Managing Director, Mr Aminu Umar‑Sadiq, said, “NSIA is pleased to partner with Asset Green on this transformative investment. With a project size of almost US$500 million, this is one of the most ambitious initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition security in a generation. By combining climate‑smart farming, advanced processing capacity, and inclusive out‑grower participation, we are laying the foundation for a modern, competitive dairy sector that reduces import dependence, creates meaningful jobs, and delivers long‑term value for Nigerians.”
On his part, Asset Green’s Director & Agrium Capital Ltd chief executive, Mr Rod Bassett, explained that the partnership between NSIA and the firm is the business and investment innovation required to unlock the potential of the agriculture sector in Nigeria, with the development of such a future (dairy) food system.
“The foundation of the approach is one of collaborating with NSIA and their shared vision and purpose to establish a platform to catalyse the development of such a national strategic priority. We are incredibly proud to partner with Nigeria’s premier investment institution.”
“The development of greenfield projects has consistently played a major role in our history, establishing industries or nurturing young businesses that are able to deliver catalytic transformation. This $500 million greenfield investment in Nigeria’s dairy industry allows for the development of advanced and necessary infrastructure spanning the full production and supply system to enhance local production, reduce the reliance on the huge imports of dairy goods into Nigeria, deliver environmental services and strengthen national food sovereignty and nutritional resilience,” he added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has affirmed the right of Nigerians to film personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on duty.
The judgment was given by Justice H. A. Nganjiwa on Tuesday in a case filed by Mr Maxwell Uwaifo in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025.
The court held that Nigerians have the constitutional right to use any device to record police officers executing their official duties in public.
It was ruled that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens documenting their activities.
The court awarded the applicant N5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights and N2 million for the cost of litigation.
Business Post reports that the respondents in the case were the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the NPF, the Police Service Commission (PSC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The lawyer filed the case in accordance with Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 of the Constitution of Nigeria and others.
“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” Mr Uwaifo said after the judgement.
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