Headline

Monarch Hails Dangote Refinery, Fertiliser for Community Development Projects, Empowerment

Published

4 years ago

December 7, 2021

Eric

Dangote Oil Refining Company and Dangote Fertiliser Limited have been commended for their community development model adopted to fast-track improved education, training and development of youths in about 15 host communities around Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

Speaking during a recent award of scholarships to 137 students of tertiary institutions and secondary schools from the company’s 15 host communities, the Onilekki of Lekki Land, HRM Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun said Dangote’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility projects have begun to yield positive results.

The scholarships were presented by the Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, Dangote Group, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, to 19 tertiary institution students and 118 secondary school students from 15 communities in Ibeju-Lekki.

According to the monarch, majority of the youths who benefited from Dangote Oil Refining’s skill acquisition programmes are now gainfully employed by some of the company’s contractors, while others have become employers of labour. He noted that the Dangote Refinery project has become a blessing to all the host communities around Ibeju-Lekki.

Ogunbekun said the company had earlier trained Ibeju-Lekki youths on skill acquisition, which cuts across a wide range of vocational skills including welding, electrical technician, plumbing, auto mechanic, radio and television repairs, refrigerator and AC repairs, building and furniture making.

He added that the company had also donated classrooms block to serve the Abejoye Community in Ibeju-Lekki to provide quality education by way of provision of teaching materials and a conducive environment.

Ogunbekun noted that the move community development showed that the company is determined to carry along the host communities and to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the locality.

He urged the beneficiaries of the scholarship programme to study hard and focus on their education in order to better their lives and become worthy ambassadors of Ibeju-Lekki in future.

Speaking on the scholarship award, Edwin said the Dangote Group believes that education was the passport to the future and that an investment in knowledge yields the greatest dividends for mankind. He said the company had over the years supported the Nigerian educational sector by instituting scholarship award programmes.

According to him, this is part of the company’s education intervention initiatives for indigenous students of host communities impacted by its businesses.

He said, “In 2019, we executed a pilot of the scholarship programme where 51 secondary school students from our 15 host communities here in Ibeju-Lekki were awarded. However, as 2019 came to a close, COVID-19 hit the global community, leaving its indelible mark not only on businesses but on every household.

“As a result, we could not institute the second edition of the scholarship programme in the year 2020. As the curtain closes on 2021, we cannot but acknowledge the efforts that our scholars have put into their academic studies, to obtain such excellent results, which qualifies them as beneficiaries of this award.

“Hence, after a rigorous screening process, 118 secondary school students and 19 tertiary institution students from our host communities have qualified for this scholarship award.”

While congratulating the beneficiaries, he enjoined them to continue to work hard at their studies, strive to achieve excellence in all that they do and never stop giving their best.

“With the continuous support of the people and the Lagos State Government, we shall not relent in our efforts to be socially accountable while we positively impact our host communities. We look forward to a continuous peaceful and rewarding relationship with our host communities in Ibeju-Lekki,” Edwin said.

Headline

Supreme Court Fixes April 22 for Hearing in ADC Leadership Crisis

Published

10 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Eric

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.

Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.

The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.

It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.

The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.

Headline

Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.

First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.

The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.

The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.

Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.

According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.

The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.

The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.

INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.

Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Guardian

Headline

Shettima Lacks Respect, I Won’t Engage Him, Atiku Responds to VP’s Challenge

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at incumbent Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s poser over achievements in office, saying he won’t take the challenge because Shettima was disrespectful.

Shettima had reportedly challenged Atiku to provide details of eight projects he executed for the development of Northern Nigeria during his tenure as vice president for eight years, as well as name eight individuals he empowered while in office.

But, speaking in an interview with GTA Hausa podcast, Atiku said he would not engage the vice president on the matter.

“I will not respond to Kashim Shettima because he is disrespectful. I am older than him and I have more experience in governance than he does, so I will not respond to him,” he said.

The former vice president further argued that cultural values in Northern Nigeria discourage younger individuals from publicly challenging their elders in such a manner.

“It is not part of our tradition in the North to disrespect elders. You cannot look at someone who is above you in both age and accomplishments and start taunting him. That is not our tradition, so I won’t engage with him,” Atiku emphasised.