By Aduragbemi Omiyale

President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday.

The recruitment follows a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State by a high-powered federal government delegation on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

The team, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, was in the local council following the abduction of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026.

Residents of the communities were promised the safe return of the victims. They were also informed that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be conveyed to the President for consideration and approval.

In addition, Mr Tinubu has directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Mr Gbajabiamila, while addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource towards securing the victims’ release.

“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective.

“Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms.

“Mr President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts. Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims,” he said.

The delegation was also at the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Mr Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to commiserate with him and his people. The group also met with the wife of the deceased school teacher, Mrs Mary Oyedokun, and her two children.

Other members of the team were the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, Mr Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The duo of Mr Olusola Teniola and Ms Funke Opeke are now on the newly inaugurated Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) council board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The team was constituted as part of a broader industry effort to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to IPv6.

It has Mr Muhammed Rudman as Chairman, Mr Chris Uwaje as Vice Chairman, and Ms Mary Uduma, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, Mr Lanre Ajayi, and Mr Latif Ladid as members.

At the inauguration in Ikeja, Lagos, NCC said it created the group as part of its renewed commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to IPv6, a critical enabler of the country’s digital future.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr Teniola, a director at ipNX, expressed appreciation to the NCC for the opportunity to serve and reiterated the importance of collaborative action in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“The transition to IPv6 is no longer a future consideration; it is an immediate priority for Nigeria’s digital economy. As data consumption grows and emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI become more pervasive, we must ensure that our underlying infrastructure is scalable, secure, and globally competitive,” he said.

He further emphasised that achieving meaningful IPv6 adoption will require strong alignment across stakeholders, including telecom operators, internet service providers, enterprises, academia, and government.

“This is a collective responsibility. We must invest in capacity building, drive awareness, and create the right policy and regulatory environment to accelerate adoption. Nigeria cannot afford to lag in an increasingly connected world,” he added.

The IPv6 Council Board has been tasked with developing and overseeing the implementation of a national IPv6 strategy, monitoring progress, and providing periodic updates on adoption levels across the country.

The team will also play a key role in addressing infrastructure challenges, strengthening technical expertise, and recommending policy incentives to support nationwide deployment.

Mr Teniola’s appointment reflects ipNX’s continued commitment to shaping Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and advancing the development of resilient, future-ready network infrastructure across the country.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Axxela Limited has appointed Mr Moshood Olajide as its new chief executive, following the retirement of Mr Timothy Ononiwu.

According to the company, Mr Ononiwu retired after attaining the official retirement age, following nearly a decade in top leadership roles, including his time as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and later GCEO.

Under his leadership as CFO and then later as GCEO, Mr Ononiwu played a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s financial stability, overseeing expansion plans, and fostering strong partnerships across the energy value chain.

Speaking on Mr Ononiwu’s retirement, the Chairman of the board of Axxela, Mr Nzan Ogbe, expressed deep appreciation for his leadership and contributions to the organisation.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Timothy Ononiwu for his commitment and significant contribution to Axxela as Group Chief Executive Officer and, before that, as Chief Financial Officer.

“Axxela has benefitted immensely from his dedication and strategic leadership over the years. His efforts have positioned the company for financial strength and long-term success, and we are grateful for the strong foundation he leaves behind.

“Following Timothy Ononiwu’s retirement, Moshood Olajide will assume the role of GCEO, where he will bring his visionary leadership to guide the company through its next phase of growth. His vast industry experience and deep understanding of the company’s post-divestment strategy position him well to lead the organisation to its next frontier,” he stated.

Reflecting on his retirement, Mr Ononiwu said: “As I begin this new chapter, I do so with immense pride in what we have built together. Leading Axxela has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life. I am deeply grateful to our employees, partners, and stakeholders whose dedication, innovation, and resilience have shaped our success. I remain confident that the strong foundation we have built will continue to drive growth and excellence for many years to come. I look forward to watching the next chapter unfold and wish the entire team continued success.”

The newly appointed GCEO is bringing extensive leadership experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, with a strong track record in operational excellence, business growth, and strategic transformation, leveraging a legal, accounting, and corporate governance background.

In his new role, Mr Olajide will lead Axxela through its next phase of expansion, focusing on advancing natural gas advocacy, expanding integrated energy offerings, deepening regional market footprint, and accelerating the delivery of cleaner and more reliable energy solutions.

The company also announced the appointment of Ms Yetunde Demuren as Chief Financial Officer, an elevation from her previous role as Head of Corporate Finance and Treasury Management.

She is a seasoned finance executive with nearly two decades of experience in financial strategy, project viability assessment, cash flow planning, and capital management.

Her appointment is expected to further strengthen the company’s financial performance as the company continues to pursue ambitious growth plans and expand its infrastructure investments.