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Lagos Retreat: INEC Inducts New Leadership, Strengthens Institutional Capacity
Lagos Retreat: INEC Inducts New Leadership, Strengthens Institutional Capacity
Lagos Retreat: INEC inducts new leadership, strengthens institutional capacity. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has kicked off a crucial phase of preparations for the 2027 General Election with a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for its newly appointed leadership, holding from 9th to 10th, 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The host Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, in his remarks said the retreat brought together the Honourable Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Directors and top management staff of the Commission.
Welcoming participants, Prof. Salami described Lagos Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and one of its most politically vibrant states—as a fitting venue for the retreat at “a defining moment in the Commission’s institutional journey.” He noted that the engagement marked a significant milestone for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation, stressing that public expectations of the electoral process have never been higher.
“As we advance towards the 2027 General Election, early planning, strategic coordination and institutional cohesion cannot be overstated,” Salami said, adding that the retreat would strengthen leadership capacity, deepen institutional understanding and enhance operational preparedness.
In his opening address, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, underscored the historic responsibility placed on the Commission, describing participants as “custodians of the will of the Nigerian people.”
He emphasised that strategy must be matched with capable people and sound execution.
Reflecting on his assumption of office on October 23, 2025, the Chairman commended INEC staff nationwide for the successful conduct of the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election of November 8, 2025, describing it as a strong signal of the Commission’s readiness for future challenges.
While the 2027 General Election remains the ultimate goal, Prof. Amupitan highlighted key milestones along the way, including the FCT Area Council Elections in February 2026 and upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. According to him, these elections will serve as testing grounds to fine-tune INEC’s processes, from voter registry management to the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The Chairman reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to what he described as five non-negotiable pillars: free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections. He placed special emphasis on the growing population of young, tech-savvy voters, noting that winning their trust through transparency and technological integrity is vital to Nigeria’s democratic future.
“The rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system,” he declared, pledging strict adherence to the 2022 Electoral Act and subsequent amendments.
INEC
Over the course of the retreat, participants are expected to deliberate on 17 critical thematic areas, including logistics, personnel management, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), election security, inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation and internal democracy.
Earlier, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Omozua Ajayi, outlined the objectives of the retreat, which include inducting new Commission members into INEC’s institutional framework, familiarising them with the legal and administrative architecture of elections, and providing a platform for experience-sharing among implementers of electoral policies at state level.
As the sessions unfold, Prof. Amupitan charged participants to see the retreat as an opportunity to break silos, foster unity and build a globally respected electoral institution.
“Our goal is not just to conduct elections, but to make INEC the best Election Management Body in Africa—a beacon of integrity, technological efficiency and democratic values,” he said.
The Africa CEO Forum Convenes In Kigali Under The Theme ‘Scale or Fail
The Africa CEO Forum convenes this week in Kigali under the theme ‘Scale or Fail: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership’, a call for the continent’s industries to pool capital, infrastructure, and markets to compete at scale.
Eereporter.com
Within that frame, our EVP, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, joins the African Oil and Gas Coalition’s Strategic Roundtable, ‘Gas without Cash: Breaking the African Monetisation Deadlock,’ on Thursday, 14 May 2026 at 2:45pm WAT.
NNPC
The session will weigh the financing structures, payment architectures, and commercial models that can move African gas from stranded resource to bankable output.
NNPC Ltd. brings to the table the operational weight and partnership track record to help shape these answers.
ICPC Sensitised Members Of ICPC-NYSC CDS Group On Vital Roles They Can Play Against Corruption
Sokoto State office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recently sensitised members of its ICPC-NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) group on the vital roles they can play in the campaign against corruption.
The sensitisation programme, held recently at Federal Government College (FGC), Sokoto, was themed around empowering corps members to serve as grassroots change agents, promoting integrity, and raising awareness of the dangers of corruption within their places of primary assignment.
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Delivering the lecture on behalf of the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Deputy Superintendent Yusuf Kabiru stressed the importance of grassroots engagement in the anti-corruption crusade.
He urged corps members to seize the unique opportunity afforded by their postings to schools, organisations, and communities, using these platforms to enlighten the public on ethical values and responsible conduct.
“You are the frontline ambassadors of integrity,” Mr Kabiru told the gathering. “Your voices can reshape norms and deter dishonest practices at the community level.”
He further charged the incoming executives of the CDS group to demonstrate strong leadership and intensify sensitisation efforts, noting that sustained awareness campaigns remain essential to building a corruption-free society.
ICPC Sensitised Members Of ICPC-NYSC CDS
The event, which drew 67 participants – reflecting notable interest and commitment among corps members – also featured an interactive session in which attendees posed questions and shared insights on anti-corruption strategies.
The programme concluded with a renewed pledge by the corps members to uphold integrity and promote transparency in their respective places of primary assignment, after which a group photograph was taken.
Naval Chief Idi Abbas Pushes Manpower Development For Safe Navigation, Blue Economy
The chief of naval staff, Idi Abbas, has underscored the critical role of manpower development in ensuring safe navigation and driving Nigeria’s blue economy.
Mr Abbas said this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the hydrographer of the federation, Olumide Fadahunsi, to naval headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement on Tuesday.
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Mr Abbas reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to supporting the National Hydrographic Agency, particularly in the areas of manpower provision and capacity building.
He noted that a highly skilled hydrographic workforce remained vital to naval operations and maritime domain awareness.
The naval chief also lauded the agency for its outstanding hydrographic activities in Cross River and Imo, which he said had earned widespread recognition.
He urged the agency to deepen local capacity development by producing training charts for institutions such as the Nigerian Defence Academy Naval Wing and Nigerian Navy Training Schools.
He congratulated Mr Fadahunsi on his appointment and commended the strategic direction introduced under his leadership. He also encouraged the hydrographer to sustain the momentum by consolidating on the achievements of his predecessor.
Mr Fadahunsi expressed appreciation to the naval chief for the Nigerian navy’s sustained support to the agency.
He said that upon assuming office, he conducted a comprehensive review of the agency’s operations and subsequently developed a strategic plan that prioritised manpower development as a key enabler for maritime safety and economic growth.
The hydrographer noted that personnel of the navy constituted a significant proportion of the agency’s workforce. According to him, this underscores the longstanding institutional synergy between both organisations.
Naval Chief Idi Abbas
He further revealed plans to boost female participation in hydrography, in line with the global drive by the International Hydrographic Organisation to promote inclusivity and gender balance in the field.
The visit reinforced the navy’s commitment to strengthening hydrographic capabilities as a cornerstone of maritime governance, navigational safety, and sustainable national development.
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