Economy
PINL Hosts Community Stakeholders In Yenagoa, Honours INC President, Okaba
PINL Hosts Community Stakeholders In Yenagoa, Honours INC President, Okaba
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL)—a renowned pipeline surveillance firm safeguarding the Trans Niger Pipeline—has once again recorded zero infraction over the past one month while contributing to the crude oil production output of the country.
The feat was disclosed on Friday by the Community Relations Consultant of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, while speaking at the August stakeholders meeting organised by the company in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
Mezeh noted that the “Federal Government met its 2025 oil and gas sector revenue due to peace and stability in the communities hosting oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.”
He added that the development underscores the strength and effectiveness of PINL’s partnership with the federal government on security of critical oil facilities in the Niger Delta especially in the eastern corridor.
He attributed PINL’s success to the firm’s consistent application of proven strategies like safety measures for surveillance personnel, timely salary payments as well as rapid dispute resolution within communities, inter alia. .
While speaking on incidents in the past one month, Mezeh however noted that there was attempted infraction on TNP–Bodo, in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State where culprits were swiftly apprehended due to strong community resistance, with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He also disclosed that there was a discovery of illegal refinery infrastructures in Umuebele in Oyibo LGA also in Rivers State by dedicated surveillance guards in collaboration with Special Prosecution Taskforce recently inaugurated by federal government where suspects were apprehended, and compound confiscated for necessary action.
“PINL remains committed to local content policy in all Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ensuring that they are guided by proper NEEDS assessments, thus prioritizing the welfare of the communities.
“The scholarship programme selection process has commenced with application forms distributed to community leaders through the contractors.
“Communities are encouraged to return completed forms promptly while hoping that they will prioritize bright but financially disadvantaged students when nominating beneficiaries. After which our team will verify the academic credentials before disbursement,” Mezeh hinted..
He said the preparatory activities for the women training program for the third quarter are ongoing.
“The curriculum framework has been developed and arrangements are in the final stages,” he said.
He however noted that community stakeholders’ engagement is highly needed to ensure strong participation when the programme is launched in the fourth quarter.
Earlier, the PINL consultant thanked stakeholders and community leaders for their continued dedication and collaboration with the company to demonstrate shared commitment to creating sustainable impact in the Eastern Corridor which is host to critical oil and gas assets, including the Trans Niger Pipeline.
Mezeh assured that PINL will continue to provide platforms, such as the monthly stakeholders meeting, for robust engagement with critical stakeholders to safeguard oil and gas pipelines in the Eastern Corridor.

Bayelsa
He also reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable energy security, in full alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu.
“We have a shared responsibility to rescue our economy from further bleeding, and achieving this goal requires that all hands remain on deck,” he stated.
The August appraisal meeting was well-attended by prominent Bayelsa traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, women and youth leaders who commended the company for professionally discharging its duties and implementing far-reaching initiatives in their domains.
The company seized the moment to celebrate Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who clocked a new age yesterday.
In his response, Professor Okaba profusely thanked PINL for honouring him and carrying Ijaw people along in the scheme of things.
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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