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Lagos begins entrepreneurship training for youths

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Lagos begins entrepreneurship training for youths

Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment last Thursday launched a new entrepreneurship training initiative targeted at youths residing in blighted and underserved areas of the state. The initiative, which marked the commencement of the pilot phase of the programme, was held at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat.   

It is part of the mandate of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to tackle youth unemployment and foster inclusive economic growth.

The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe emphasized the urgency of addressing the opportunity gap and restoring hope to marginalised communities that have long been overlooked in mainstream development conversations.

According to the Commissioner, the programme is strategically designed to equip young people in these communities with practical vocational skills, entrepreneurship development, digital literacy, and access to finance and mentorship.

He said:  “We believe that true development must be inclusive. This initiative is not just about training; it is about transformation, empowering young people with the tools to thrive and become change agents within their communities.”

He added that the programme is a core component of the Lagos State Government’s broader agenda for inclusive economic development and social transformation, aligning with Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s commitment topeople-centred administration.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu reaffirmed the present administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development.

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He noted that the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to extend meaningful opportunities to areas that are often underrepresented in economic advancement.

“Our youths represent the heartbeat of our future, and we are intentional about investing in their potential,” Esv. Olayinka said. “Through this training programme, we aim to unlock new pathways to prosperity by equipping our young people with relevant skills and entrepreneurial mindsets that can lift them and their families out of poverty.”

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed that the Ministry is committed not only to training but also to building strong linkages between the trainees and market opportunities through business incubation support, mentorship frameworks, and funding access.

He encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the resources provided and become role models of resilience and innovation within their respective communities.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Akinpelu Johnson lauded the Ministry for bringing the pilot phase of the initiative to Alimosho, the largest local government area in Lagos.

He stated that the programme is set to reach thousands of young people through free vocational training, startup support, business incubation services, and job placement opportunities.

Hon. Akinpelu expressed his full support for the initiative and emphasized its significance to the economic and social fabric of Alimosho. He also pledged to replicate and expand the programme within the council in order to capture more beneficiaries across various communities.

“We still have a large number of youths, men, and women in need of government intervention. This initiative is a welcome development, and we commend Hon. Ajigbotafe for his forward-thinking vision in fostering a more self-reliant society, regardless of gender, tribe, or religion,” he said.

Lagos begins entrepreneurship training for youths

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Tragedy in Ibadan as Woman, 26, Dies at Boyfriend’s Residence

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Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade

Tragedy in Ibadan as Woman, 26, Dies at Boyfriend’s Residence

The Oyo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a 29-year-old man, identified as Quadri Mohammed, following the death of his 26-year-old girlfriend, Precious Mogaji, in Ibadan, the state capital.

Mogaji was reportedly found dead in the early hours of the day at the entrance of Mohammed’s room in the Oguntula area of Ojoo, Ibadan.

According to the police, the incident was reported at about midnight by a concerned resident who alerted officers at the Ojoo Police Division after noticing the lifeless body of the young woman.

Spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development, stating that officers were immediately deployed to the scene following the report.

Ayanlade said preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had visited her boyfriend prior to the incident.

“Upon receiving the report, officers from the Ojoo Police Division moved to the scene where the body of the 26-year-old woman was discovered at the entrance of the suspect’s room,” he said.

The police spokesperson explained that the prime suspect, Mohammed, was nowhere to be found when officers arrived at the location, raising suspicion about his involvement in the incident.

He added that the victim’s body was evacuated and deposited at a hospital mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Ayanlade also clarified that contrary to some reports circulating on social media, the incident occurred in the Ojoo area and not Akobo as earlier claimed.

The police assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and unravel the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The command has commenced a full investigation into the matter and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the suspect who is currently at large,” Ayanlade stated.

He further urged members of the public with useful information that could assist the police in tracking down the suspect to report to the nearest police station.

The tragic incident has sparked concern among residents of the area, with many calling for swift justice and improved safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.

 

Tragedy in Ibadan as Woman, 26, Dies at Boyfriend’s Residence

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Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund

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Court of Appeal, Abuja

Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund

The Court of Appeal of Nigeria has affirmed the conviction and prison sentence handed to former Major General Umar Mohammed over the diversion of billions of naira belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), the property and investment arm of the Nigerian Army.

In a judgment delivered by a three-member panel of justices, the appellate court upheld the earlier decision of a Special Court Martial which found the retired officer guilty of stealing and mismanaging funds belonging to the army-owned company during his tenure as its Group Managing Director.

The court also sustained the order directing him to refund more than ₦4 billion traced to the illegal transactions.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the justices dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging both the jurisdiction of the military tribunal and the outcome of the trial. The appellate court held that the court martial acted within the bounds of the law and relied on credible and admissible evidence to reach its verdict.

The panel—comprising Justice Abba Mohammed, Justice Okon Abang, and Justice Eberechi Nyesom‑Wike—ruled that the prosecution had successfully established the charges brought against the former general.

Mohammed was originally arraigned before the military tribunal on October 10, 2023, where he faced multiple counts of stealing, criminal misappropriation and financial misconduct involving funds belonging to the army property firm.

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After the trial, the court martial dismissed him from military service and sentenced him to imprisonment. The tribunal also ordered him to refund $2,099,700 and ₦1.65 billion to the company as restitution for the diverted funds.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mohammed approached the appellate court in February 2025 through an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, asking that the conviction be overturned on the grounds that the evidence used against him was weak and unreliable.

However, the appellate court disagreed.

The justices ruled that the defence presented by the former officer was riddled with contradictions and could not discredit the evidence already accepted by the court martial.

Part of the judgment highlighted inconsistencies in Mohammed’s testimony. During the proceedings, he had claimed that Nigerian Army Properties Limited did not operate berthing services, but the court noted that documentary records previously authored and signed by him indicated that the company was indeed involved in such operations.

The appellate court held that the conflicting statements weakened his credibility and strengthened the prosecution’s case.

Consequently, the court affirmed the conviction and sentence on most of the charges established by the tribunal, setting aside only the counts relating to alleged forgery.

Mohammed’s legal troubles extend beyond the criminal conviction.

In August 2025, the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Lagos, presided over by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth more than ₦5 billion linked to the former general and businessman Kayode Filani.

The shares—totalling 245,568,137 units—were found to have been purchased with funds suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities during Mohammed’s leadership of the army-owned company.

The forfeiture followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which told the court that its investigations had established that the funds used for the investment were unlawfully obtained.

EFCC counsel Hanatu Kofanaisa informed the court that the Special Court Martial had earlier convicted the former general on 14 out of 18 counts relating to stealing and financial misconduct.

She also explained that the commission complied with all legal procedures for final forfeiture, including public notification through newspaper publications. No individual or organisation came forward to challenge the application.

Justice Dipeolu subsequently ruled that the anti-graft agency had proven its case and ordered the shares to be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, in favour of Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

The forfeiture proceedings were brought under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

With the latest ruling by the Court of Appeal, Mohammed’s attempt to overturn his conviction has effectively failed, reinforcing the disciplinary action earlier taken by military authorities and marking a major judicial decision in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption within public institutions.

Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund

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JUST IN: Fire Guts Section of Federal Secretariat in Abuja

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Federal Secretariat In Abuja

JUST IN: Fire Guts Section of Federal Secretariat in Abuja

A fire outbreak at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja triggered panic on Monday morning after a section of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was engulfed in thick smoke.

The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m. and affected Section C of the multi-storey building located within the federal government administrative complex in Abuja.

Eyewitnesses said heavy black smoke billowed from the affected floor, forcing workers and visitors to evacuate the building immediately as the situation escalated.

Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from the structure while staff members hurried out of the premises as security officials began clearing the area.

Officials from the media department of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation later confirmed the incident, noting that the fire was restricted to Section C of the building.

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“The fire outbreak is limited to Section C of the building and is currently being attended to by emergency officials,” the office said in a statement.

Personnel from the Federal Fire Service and other emergency agencies were quickly deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the complex.

Security personnel also cordoned off sections of the secretariat while firefighters battled the flames.

The incident reportedly disrupted normal activities around the complex, with workers temporarily stranded outside the building and vehicular movement around the area slowed as emergency vehicles gained access to the premises.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were casualties or major structural damage, but officials said efforts were ongoing to fully extinguish the fire and secure the facility.

The cause of the fire had not been determined as of the time of filing this report, and investigations are expected to commence once the situation is brought under control.

JUST IN: Fire Guts Section of Federal Secretariat in Abuja

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