General
Ogunbiyi Vows to Replicate Mutual Benefits Assurance’s Success in Osun
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The governorship candidate of Accord Party in the forthcoming election in Osun State, Mr Akin Ogunbiyi, has promised to replicate the success he achieved at Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc in the state if elected governor this year.
Residents of the 30-year-old state head to the polls on July 16, 2022, and Mr Ogunbiyi, who is the founder and group chairman of Mutual Benefits, believes he has what it takes to provide a sustainable economy for the state.
In a chat with newsmen in Osogbo, the entrepreneur said Osun State should not have any reason to be in the same sentence with underdevelopment based on the huge human and material resources it is blessed with.
According to him, the state has arable farmland covering over 9000 kilometres, mineral deposits, tourist sites, and aquatic habitat, among others, but despite these, it “remains in the backwater of underdevelopment.”
He pointed out that the resources have been badly managed to the extent that it ranks third in the list of most indebted states in Nigeria, with over N200 billion debt overhang; while it receives a lean N1.7 billion monthly allocation from the federation account (due to deductions) and generates a lowly N13 billion monthly revenue.
The graduate of Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, said with very few viable capital projects, which come in form of future investments, Osun State battles low productivity, unemployment and poverty.
But he assured that if elected next month, he will transform the state into an enviable one as he will reengineer the economy to become more viable and buoyant, a far cry from its present comatose state.
The self-acclaimed “venturer” stressed that he will look “for opportunities to create and deliver value” as he will “approach leadership from an entrepreneurial and revenue-generating mindset and not just sit down and depend solely on monthly federal allocation.”
“We must strive to end Osun State economy rallying around three services: civil servants, teachers and peasant farmers,” he said pledging to work in tandem with his Accord Party’s philosophy and manifesto, which is anchored on “corporatism, popularism and capitalism.”
“If elected governor, l will first and foremost, work to guarantee the security of lives and property in the state. Since security is the main purpose of government, we will rejig the security architecture in the state to ensure better results.
“We will invest in these two sectors to ensure sound minds, healthy and wealthy citizenry.
“We will also create jobs for our teeming but now largely idle youths. We will also do this by creating an enabling environment to will Osun State an investment-friendly state.
“If elected governor, l will also initiate and sustain an agricultural revolution in the state, by utilising our vast arable land, not only to attain food security but to generate huge revenue from the sector.
“We will make soft loans available for small-scale farmers to produce food and crop crops and by so doing, provide jobs for many Osun youths,” Mr Ogunbiyi promised.
Speaking further, he vowed to pursue massive infrastructural development in the rural areas and concentrate his envisioned agricultural revolution among the rural populace.
“We will unleash our energies and resources to boost industrialisation in the state by maximizing the benefits of our vast mineral resources-gold, kaoline, iron ore, Talc, columbite, etc. located in different parts of the state.
“We will intensify the mining of these deposits at a commercial level that will be beneficial to the state. We won’t play politics with such revenue-yielding ventures or enter into deals that will short-change the state.
“We will also assist artisans, women groups and youths through skill acquisition and soft loans to enable be self-sustaining and become employers of labour,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn