By Adedapo Adesanya

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has promised sweeping reforms in education, healthcare and human capital development if elected.

In a statement on X on Wednesday to mark the beginning of July, Mr Obi recalled his decision to contest the presidency, saying he remained committed to placing Nigeria on the path of unity and national transformation.

Mr Obi, who is set to contest against the incumbent President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announced plans to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in the coming weeks and months.

He said the framework was aimed at tackling abuse in government, reversing the declining quality of life, and fostering national unity, peace and sustainable prosperity.

According to the former Governor of Anambra State, his proposed agenda is anchored on the principles of unity, inclusion, social justice, equity and the freedom of every Nigerian to pursue legitimate aspirations.

He identified education and healthcare as the pillars of human capital development, describing a skilled and healthy population as the foundation for economic growth, improved public services and national development.

Mr Obi said his administration would, from inception, establish a task force to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children across the country.

He also pledged to prioritise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as part of a broader strategy to drive industrialisation through agriculture, value addition and the establishment of industrial parks across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

According to him, improved funding and equipment for TVET institutions, supported through partnerships involving government, the private sector and faith-based educational organisations, would create apprenticeship opportunities modelled after Germany’s dual education system.

The NDC chieftain argued that Nigeria must address the paradox of high unemployment alongside the shortage of skilled labour, which has compelled many Nigerian entrepreneurs to establish businesses outside the country.

He said resolving the skills gap would be critical to shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to one powered by production and industrial growth.

“Doing so is essential for the common good and for facilitating our transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one,” he noted.

The politician also promised to strengthen character and civic education, saying his administration would promote values that build trust, encourage responsible leadership and foster national cohesion, maintaining that these reforms would form part of a broader governance framework designed to unlock Nigeria’s human capital potential and deliver inclusive economic development.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Director of Strategic Business Initiatives for ipNX, Mr Olusola Teniola, has been inducted into the prestigious DigitalSENSE Africa Hall of Fame.

This was done at the 17th edition of the annual Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum, recently held in Lagos, themed Sustaining WSIS Vision with Multi-stakeholder Synergy in Nigeria.

The event brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, civil society groups, and technology stakeholders to explore pathways for strengthening the nation’s digital future.

Mr Teniola’s inclusion in the group is as a result of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, spanning more than three decades of leadership in telecommunications, broadband advocacy, internet governance, and technology policy development.

The honour celebrates his enduring commitment to advancing digital inclusion, affordable connectivity, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Serving as chairman of the forum, Mr Teniola used the platform to challenge stakeholders to move beyond discussions and focus on tangible outcomes that will accelerate national digital development.

“As we deliberate today, we must be intentional about concluding with concrete, measurable, and actionable outcomes. We must identify practical steps that can be implemented, monitored, and evaluated. We must commit ourselves to actions for which we can be held accountable long after this event has ended,” he stated.

Highlighting the core principles of the WSIS vision, he noted that digital transformation must remain focused on people, inclusion, and sustainable development.

“Technology must serve people, not the other way around. The ultimate measure of digital transformation is the positive impact it has on citizens and communities,” he said, calling for a digital future in which every Nigerian has the opportunity to participate and benefit from the digital economy, regardless of location, gender, age, disability, educational background, or economic status.

He also underscored the critical role of technology in driving economic growth, improving governance, expanding access to education and healthcare, creating jobs, and fostering innovation across the country.

The DigitalSENSE Africa Hall of Fame is reserved for distinguished individuals whose contributions have significantly shaped the continent’s digital landscape.

Mr Teniola joins an elite group of industry leaders recognised for their impact on technology development, policy advocacy, and infrastructure growth.

His induction reflects not only his personal achievements but also ipNX’s continued commitment to building world-class digital infrastructure, enabling connectivity, and creating possibilities for Nigeria and the African continent.

Speaking on the significance of the recognition, the forum organisers described Mr Teniola as a leading voice in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem whose work has consistently advanced broadband expansion, internet affordability, and stakeholder collaboration.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Ikeja Electric Plc has announced a widespread power outage across several parts of Lagos following severe flooding at the Oworonshoki 132/33kV Transmission Station.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the electricity distribution company said the flooding affected two power transformers and several 33kV/11kV feeders, resulting in outages across multiple communities.

The affected feeders include Ladilac, Bariga, Alapere, Oworo, Gbagada, Pedro, GTB, Anthony, Agboyi, Ifako, Araba, Hospital and Bakare.

According to the company, the disruption was caused by floodwaters that submerged critical transmission infrastructure at the Oworo Transmission Station.

“Ikeja Electric is working closely with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore supply as soon as the transmission facilities are back in service,” the notice stated.

The electricity distribution company apologised to customers for the inconvenience and appealed for patience while efforts are underway to restore normal power supply.

The development comes amid heavy flooding in several parts of Lagos, which has disrupted transportation, businesses and other economic activities across the state.

In flooding-related development, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted Lagos residents and other coastal states to a heightened risk of flash flooding on Tuesday, June 30.

The warning was contained in NiMet’s Tuesday Weather Outlook for June 30, 2026.

The update, which sustained rainfall across the southern region throughout the day, comes following forecasts of widespread rainfall across southern Nigeria.

According to the agency, continuous rainfall could trigger flash flooding in coastal and low-lying communities, particularly in Lagos and other states along Nigeria’s southern coastline.

The forecast also outlined expected weather conditions across the northern and North Central regions while advising residents and key sectors to take precautionary measures.

NiMet forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states during the morning.

The agency added that rainfall would intensify later in the day, with moderate rainfall expected across the entire southern region during the afternoon and evening.