Business

AMBODE, DUKE DEMAND MORE FUNDS FOR LAGOS TO SAVE NIGERIA

Published

8 years ago

May 25, 2018

Akinwunmi Ambode - Your Excellency, I'm not happy with you

…As Lagos Gov Receives Leadership Award

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke on Thursday raised alarm over the danger of abandoning Lagos State to shoulder the developmental challenges posed by incessant migration from all parts of the country alone.

Warning that the continued expansion of the 24 million population within a territorial land mass of 923, 773 square kilometres is leading to huge infrastructural deficit that federal allocations and internally generated revenue have not addressed, both urged State Governments to create productive economies to stem the drift to Lagos.

Duke spoke as the guest speaker at the LEADERSHIP 2017 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, organized by the Leadership Newspapers at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, where Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan received the Governor of the Year Award.

Noting that the N1.4trillion budget of the State for 2018 was too meager to fund needed infrastructures, Duke said, “the leadership at the State and Federal level must recognize that a State that contributes more than 50 percent of the Gross Domestic Product and majority of industrial activity needs urgent support.”

Accepting the awards on behalf of the Governor, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan adopted the positions canvassed by Duke while dedicating the awards to Lagosians for working with the Ambode administration for better governance.

“Governor Ambode’s determination to put his expertise and experience at the service of the people to ensure continuous infrastructure and human development as well as sustain the economic growth of the State is not in doubt. That is his social contract with the people which he is totally committed to fulfilling,” he said.

Earlier, while declaring the Conference open, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo advocated that States must operate as if they are countries by drawing inspiration from the Western Region which executed landmark projects and programmes in the First Republic.

He said the giant strides of Lagos State since the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu which planned the re-development of Lagos on aggressive internally generated revenue has demonstrated the importance of taxation to the provision of infrastructures.

Welcoming guests and awardees, the Chairman of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah urged Governors to act as the Chief Executive Officers of companies who must make profits for their firms to keep their jobs.

“The days when States would go cap in hand every month to the Federal Government will soon be over because the Federal Government itself will be too busy struggling to solve its own federal problems. The good news is that every State in Nigeria can survive as a rich entity, with a little imagination from its leaders,” Nda-Isaiah said.

Nda-Isaiah postulated that, perhaps, it might take the states to suffer some hard times in order to come to terms with the new reality.

“Lagos State found out the hard way that it could earn much more than its monthly allocations from Abuja when the then President Olusegun Obasanjo illegally impounded the monthly allocations of its local governments for selfish reasons.

“That was when the governor then, Bola Tinubu, knew the real definition of IGR. Since then, the State has not looked back,’’ he said.

He further averred that States needed to develop their own proprietary methods of boosting their IGR, noting that Lagos chose corporate taxes because that was where its advantages lay.

“It could be abundant mineral resources for some, and yet for others, it could be massive land resources. Any state government that gives the impression that it is waiting for a constitution amendment before it can take advantage of the state’s mineral resources is simply dumb.

“State Governments can apply to the Federal Government for mining leases in their states and simply become mineral-rich. The problem is that no state has been able to do this. Some states are succeeding with agriculture, especially rice cultivation using the CBN intervention funds. It is the same logic”, Nda-Isaiah said.

Business

ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ADVAN Earns Global Recognition As WFA President’s Award Winner For “Project Freedom”

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been recognised on the global stage as a recipient of the prestigious WFA President’s Award, presented by the World Federation of Advertisers during its Global Marketer Week in Stockholm. The recognition places ADVAN among a select group of leading industry associations worldwide acknowledged for driving meaningful impact in marketing and society.

The WFA President’s Awards, established in 2010, celebrate national industry associations whose initiatives advance the marketer’s agenda and contribute to positive change. This year’s honours were awarded following a rigorous selection process involving 38 submissions from associations across the WFA’s global network, with winners chosen for their measurable impact and potential for replication across markets.

ADVAN’s recognition comes through its advocacy initiative, Project Freedom, a bold and strategic effort focused on addressing the challenges of stifling, non–data-driven regulations affecting businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. The initiative underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking while championing the constitutional right to freedom of commerce.

Through Project Freedom, ADVAN has taken a proactive leadership role in engaging key stakeholders and shaping conversations around fair, balanced, and transparent regulation. The initiative reflects a shift toward constructive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support innovation, protect consumer interests, and enable sustainable business growth.

By earning this global recognition, ADVAN reinforces the growing influence of African marketing institutions in shaping international discourse. Its work highlights how local advocacy, when rooted in data and guided by clear principles, can deliver impact not just within national borders but across the global marketing ecosystem.

The award also affirms ADVAN’s commitment to strengthening self-regulation within the industry, fostering accountability, and promoting standards that align with global best practices while remaining relevant to local realities.

As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ADVAN’s recognition by the World Federation of Advertisers signals a strong endorsement of its leadership and vision. It positions the association as a key voice in advancing responsible marketing, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring that businesses can operate in an environment that supports both innovation and economic freedom.

Business

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

***PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status**

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

Thank you.

Business

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

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About Laffmattazz

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.