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2027 election: Group honours Etsu Nupe, Minister of Women Affairs, 19 others
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) at the weekend honoured the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and 19 other distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to advancing gender inclusiveness and promoting the Reserved Seats for Women Bill across the country. com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
NILOWV honored them at its
concluding 2025 Annual General Meeting, National Conference, and Founders’ Day/Awards Night with renewed calls for collective action to strengthen women’s inclusion in politics, governance, and leadership at all levels.
Speaking, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who received the “Ambassador of Nigerian Women and Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award”, described NILOWV’s advocacy as “a light at the end of the tunnel for women in Nigeria.”
“Right from the time I heard about this organisation,” he said, “I became very, very comfortable that, yes, there’s light at the end of the tunnel in Nigeria for women. You are doing a very noble job in this struggle; you are actually actively participating and contributing your own quota for the development of human folk in the country.”
He said the inclusion of women in governance was essential to national growth, noting that “if you can govern very well in our homes, there’s nothing stopping you from governing the whole country. Every home in this country is being governed by women effectively and successfully, and so they can contribute even better at the national level. So we should give them the opportunity to also participate in the act of governance.”
The royal father urged women not to relent despite economic and political challenges, assuring that “we will continue to be with you, pray for you, and it shall allow you to achieve your desired objectives by the grace of God. I believe strongly, whatever you can do at your own level, you can equally do even better at the national level. So continue to struggle, and on our own part, will continue to be with you.”
Receiving an award as an “Icon of Gender Inclusiveness and Supporter of the Reserved Seats Bill”, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, challenged women to “first believe in yourself—you can’t win any fight if you don’t win within. You must believe you can for you to drive it.”
“Women constitute about 50 per cent of the population of this country; no man wins election without the woman. Vote yourself, support yourself, and remember—you are not fighting the men; we are complementing one another.”
Dantalle emphasised that the struggle for representation begins from within, urging women to find strength in solidarity.
“When you believe in yourself and in one another, the world begins to believe in you,” he said. “God did not create women to be servants to men but to complement them. You can’t have a better society when women are behind.”
Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Mrs Ola Erinfolami conveyed the minister’s goodwill message, stating:
“…She’s passionate about NILOWV. She prays that God will grant Dame Esther Uduehi many more years and give President Irene Awuna-Ikyegh wisdom to carry on this assignment. God will bless Nigeria, and God will bless all women.”
In a tribute to NILOWV’s Founder, Mrs Esther Uduehi, the President of NILOWV, Mrs Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, lauded her for her lifelong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
While recalling that she founded the League to mentor and foster solidarity among women advocating for their rights after participating in the Beijing Conference 30 years ago, Awunah-Ikyegh described her as “a visionary leader whose seed will not die.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Nikky Onyeri, appreciated the awardees and partners for their support, noting that the League’s vision would be incomplete without legislative reforms that ensure equitable representation.
She called for “concerted support from all quarters for the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill, which is central to deepening democracy and women’s voices in governance.”
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria seeks to economically and politically empower women while fostering solidarity among women advocating for their rights.
For nearly three decades, NILOWV has remained a rallying platform for women’s civic participation, advocacy, and leadership development.
Through partnerships, mentorship, and legislative engagement, the League continues to galvanise national support for women’s inclusion in politics and governance, building on its founder’s vision of equality and empowerment.
The Founders’ Day celebration, which climaxed the three-day national conference, reaffirmed NILOWV’s commitment to transforming women’s voices and votes into instruments of democratic victory and sustainable national development.
Among other recipients were the Conservator General of Nigeria, Dr Ibrahim Goni, and the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Women Development Centre, Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir, who was honoured as an Icon of Gender Inclusiveness and NILOWV Amazon of Democracy.
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NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature Exoneration
NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationThe Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the unfolding scandal surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the gravity of the allegations and the institutions reportedly involved make an ordinary investigation inadequate.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and National Secretary, Rowland Olonishuwa, the Guild faulted the Presidency’s swift public exoneration of the Chief of Staff to the President by the President’s spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, describing it as premature and inconsistent with the principles of natural justice.
According to the Guild, declaring any public official innocent before the conclusion of an impartial investigation undermines public confidence in the process and creates the impression that the outcome has already been predetermined.
“The hasty exoneration of any public official before a comprehensive investigation has been concluded negates the principles of justice, fairness and good conscience.
Every Nigerian deserves to see that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to have been done,” the statement said.
NGIJ said the controversy surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has become one of the most significant governance scandals in recent years, alleging that the sequence of events surrounding the Council points to a level of official backing that requires a truly independent investigation.
The Guild argued that several developments associated with the Council have raised serious questions that cannot be ignored.
According to the statement, available information indicates that an account was reportedly opened for the Council at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the controversial PFIPC was reportedly captured in the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly, office accommodation was allocated to the Council within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, and more than 300 personnel, including eight directors, were reportedly recruited or sourced to work for the Council.
NGIJ noted that these developments, if established through investigation, suggest that the activities attributed to the Council went far beyond the actions of a few individuals and may have involved approvals or support from influential actors within government.
“The establishment of banking arrangements, budgetary provisions, office allocation, recruitment of hundreds of personnel and appointment of directors are not processes ordinarily executed without official authorisation and institutional support. These issues raise legitimate public interest questions that deserve thorough and independent scrutiny,” the Guild stated.
It added that the scale of the allegations has created widespread public concern and, if left unresolved, could erode confidence in Nigeria’s governance institutions and anti-corruption framework.
The Guild expressed reservations over allowing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to solely investigate the matter, arguing that given the alleged involvement of powerful figures and the institutional implications of the case, a broader and more independent mechanism would inspire greater public confidence.
According to NGIJ, the investigation should be handled by an independent judicial panel comprising retired judicial officers, forensic auditors, representatives of relevant anti-corruption institutions, professional bodies and civil society organisations, with full powers to examine documents, invite witnesses and recommend appropriate actions based on its findings.
The Guild further urged the National Assembly to commence a public legislative inquiry into the establishment, funding, operations and legal status of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
It maintained that no public official, irrespective of rank or political influence, should be insulated from investigation where credible allegations exist.
NGIJ stressed that the circumstances surrounding the controversial PFIPC have made the matter unprecedented and deserving of the highest level of independent scrutiny.
The Guild said only a transparent, credible and independent investigation can establish the true facts, identify any wrongdoing where it exists, protect innocent persons where appropriate, and restore public confidence in the administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency and the rule of law.
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NewsJuly 15, 2026NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationNewsJuly 1, 2026MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New ProductNewsJune 29, 2026Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme BorderNewsJune 12, 2026June 12: Ajia Congratulates Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Calls for Youth Inclusion and Grassroots Development
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MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New Product
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Lagos, Nigeria — July 2026 — MeCure Industries Plc closed the first half of 2026 on a strong note, marked by the affirmation of its national scale issuer ratings by GCR Ratings, the award of Halal certification, and the launch of two new products. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
GCR Ratings affirmed MeCure Industries Plc’s long-term issuer rating at BBB(NG) and short-term issuer rating at A3(NG), with the company’s long-term outlook revised to Stable. The rating agency said the decision was supported by improvements in MeCure’s competitive position, sound earnings performance, ongoing expansion, product innovation, and wider market penetration. GCR also noted the company’s diversified portfolio of more than 140 formulations across five therapeutic classes, its extensive distribution network, and its relationships with suppliers and technical partners.
During the period, MeCure also received Halal certification, reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality, compliance, and broader consumer accessibility. For the everyday consumer, Halal certification means that the certified products have been reviewed to ensure that their ingredients, sourcing, handling, and production processes comply with recognised Halal requirements. In practical terms, it gives Muslim consumers greater confidence that the medicines they use are permissible, while also providing an additional layer of assurance around transparency, product integrity, and manufacturing discipline.
The certification is expected to support trust among customers, healthcare professionals, distributors, and institutional partners, while strengthening MeCure’s positioning in markets where Halal-compliant products are an important consideration.
In June 2026, MeCure further expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of Fluconazole Capsules and EBU Suspension. Fluconazole Capsules add to the company’s antifungal offering, while EBU Suspension, an ibuprofen oral suspension, strengthens MeCure’s paediatric and family care range. The launches reflect the company’s continued focus on affordable, locally manufactured medicines across key therapeutic needs.
As MeCure enters the second half of 2026, the company said it remains focused on deepening local manufacturing, improving access to quality medicines, expanding its product pipeline, and delivering sustainable value to shareholders.
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NewsJuly 15, 2026NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationNewsJuly 1, 2026MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New ProductNewsJune 29, 2026Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme BorderNewsJune 12, 2026June 12: Ajia Congratulates Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Calls for Youth Inclusion and Grassroots Development
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Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme Border
Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme Borde
By Usman Aliyu | June 27, 2026
Ajaka, Kogi State — The family of Sgt. Benjamin Etuh, a native of Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has appealed to the public for information regarding his whereabouts following reports that he may have been involved in a drowning incident at the Seme Border area of Lagos State.
According to information available to the family, Sgt. Etuh, who was last known to be serving at the Seme Border Patrol, was reportedly involved in an incident on the water around the border community. However, relatives say they have not received any official confirmation regarding his condition or whereabouts.
The uncertainty surrounding the incident has left family members distressed and searching for answers. Efforts to contact the officer through his mobile phone numbers have also proved unsuccessful, as the lines have reportedly remained unreachable for several days.
Family sources expressed concern over the lack of verified information and appealed to the relevant authorities to provide clarity on the officer’s status. They also called on security agencies, colleagues, residents of the Seme Border area, and members of the public with any useful information to come forward.
Efforts by reporters to obtain official confirmation from the Ikeja Command were unsuccessful, as no response had been received at the time of filing this report.
As of the time of publication, there has been no official statement confirming Sgt. Benjamin Etuh’s whereabouts or condition. The family continues to appeal for credible information that may help establish the facts surrounding the incident.
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NewsJuly 15, 2026NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationNewsJuly 1, 2026MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New ProductNewsJune 29, 2026Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme BorderNewsJune 12, 2026June 12: Ajia Congratulates Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Calls for Youth Inclusion and Grassroots Development