Economy
World Igbo Day: Governor Soludo Calls For Collaboration, Seeks Release Of Nnamdi Kanu
World Igbo Day: Governor Soludo Calls For Collaboration, Seeks Release Of Nnamdi Kanu
World Igbo Day: Governor Soludo calls for collaboration, seeks release of Nnamdi Kanu. He urged the Igbo people to reflect deeply on their past and consider the path forward.
Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has called for local and intentional collaboration to build a liveable and prosperous homeland for the Igbo nation, adding that renewed dialogue is necessary.
Mr Soludo made the call on Monday in Awka at the 2025 World Igbo Day celebration organised by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The event had the theme – “Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya” (Be your brother’s keeper).
He urged the Igbo people to deeply reflect on their past and consider the path forward, emphasising their significant stake in the Nigerian project.
“We must begin the search for a new Igbo land. The time has come for us to have an honest conversation and collaboration with both regional and international blocs about our future,” he added.
The governor commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo for designating Sept. 29 as a day to honour those who lost their lives in the pursuit of Nigerian nationhood.
Mr Soludo described the remembrance as a solemn and necessary step towards healing and reflection.
He warned against craving for war, noting that only those who had never experienced its horrors would wish it upon a people.
“For those craving for war, it is because they never saw one and do not know what it looks like. Those who truly saw war will never pray for such to befall Igbo land, Nigeria, or any nation, “he said.
Mr Soludo also charged Ohanaeze Ndigbo to take a firm stand against insecurity and criminality plaguing the South-East zone.
He emphasised the need for a social and moral rebirth, calling for the revival of core Igbo values such as integrity, hard work and enterprise.
“We need the cleansing of Igbo land to revive and promote our value system. Ohanaeze must rise up and lead this moral transformation,” he said.
The governor also used the medium to call on President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to him, Mr Kanu needs to be part of the roundtable discussion on the future of the Igbo nation.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC–Delta), representing Delta North Senatorial District, called on Ndigbo to support the creation of Anioma state as the sixth state in the South-East geo-political zone.
Mr Nwoko also urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo and traditional leaders to safeguard and promote the cultures and traditions of the Igbo people.
He emphasised the importance of instilling in the younger generation the values of unity and hard work.
“Let us love and uplift one another and collectively rise to reject insecurity, while promoting peace, law and order in Igbo land,” he said.

Governor Soludo
In his remarks, John Mbata, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stated that the day was set aside to honour past heroes and celebrate the achievements of Igbos around the world.
Mr Mbata, who was represented by his deputy, Okey Nwadinobi, urged Ndigbo to support a united Nigeria.
“Let us do what is right and be our brother’s keeper. We do not want a desolate Igbo land; we want an Igbo land that will be a choice destination in Nigeria.
“Let us build an Igbo nation anchored on strong economic progress, peace and unity. We work and support a united Nigeria. A Nigeria that cares for all.
“As Ndigbo, we have contributed greatly to Nigeria and have made the nation proud; we deserve to also be recognised,” he said.
Highlights of the event included the conferment of a chieftaincy title of `Oku Nyelu Ife Ndigbo’ on Soludo, as well as cultural displays by various masquerades and performance groups.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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