Economy
U.S. Seeks Partnership With Oyo State Government On Solid Minerals Development
U.S. Seeks Partnership With Oyo State Government On Solid Minerals Development
U.S. seeks partnership with Oyo state government on solid minerals development. She described Oyo State as one of the states with vast opportunities for America to explore.
The deputy political and economic chief, United States of America Consul-General, Lagos, Kenise Hill, has sought partnership with the Oyo State government in the area of solid minerals development.
Ms Hill stated this when she led a delegation from the United States Consul-General, on a courtesy visit to Gov. Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The deputy political and economic chief said that the U.S. government was ready to expand its trade and investment and unlock trading opportunities, such as solid minerals development.
She described Oyo State as one of the states with vast opportunities for America to explore, especially in solid minerals.
According to her, trade investment partnership between the U.S. and Oyo State will enhance job opportunities and boost the economy of the state and Nigeria.
“Our goal is to connect U.S. industries to Nigerian players, private or public sector.
“We are also trying to support the development of infrastructure projects, which we understand require significant resources in terms of financing and manpower.
“So, we provide grants, which typically ranges from $2 million to support infrastructure in the state and for Nigeria as a whole.
“So, we look forward to exploring how we can work with more entities as well and looking out for potential opportunities in the solid minerals sector,” Md Hill stated.
Responding, Mr Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, said that his administration was ready to partner with the United States to explore opportunities in solid minerals development.
He added that the partnership would not be limited to solid minerals alone, but also agribusiness, education and other investment opportunities that would benefit both parties.
Mr Makinde assured that his administration had put in place policies that would aid engagement on solid minerals development, environment, agribusiness and energy supply, among others.
He told the U.S. Consulate team that Oyo state has huge potentials that could be leveraged for partnership capable of immense benefit to both parties.
“Close to half of the entire land mass of the state has various solid mineral deposits that can be tapped and developed in partnership with the US government.
“The state government does not mind if you are relating with the private sector or directly with us.
“On environment, you can explore activities that could positively impact Oyo state, while agribusiness development is another area that is so germane to this government.
“In the current dispensation, we have put agriculture on the front burner, because we sincerely believe that we must be able to feed our people.

Oyo Gov. Makinde
“On education, we are quite aware that without education, you and I would not be here. So, we know that we need to educate our people.
“Not only in conventional education, but to also deploy technology to go in the global direction,”the governor said.
Mr Makinde equally stated that the U.S. government could also support the state government in the area of energy.
“We are ready to collaborate with the U.S. government on energy and in whatever activities you deem fit to engage with us in Oyo State,” he added.
Others on the U.S. delegation were Joshua Egba, (Country representative, trade and development), Banksharon Nwaneri (Commercial specialist, U.S. Embassy) and Kenechukwu Onyeke (Environment Sciences, technology and gealth specialist).
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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