Abiola Yahaya Shines at Brand Handlers Summit, Wins Emerging PR Champion Award

The Chief Executive Officer of LemonLime Nigeria Limited, Ms. Abiola Yahaya, has been named Emerging PR Champion at the upcoming Brand Handlers Summit & Awards 2025, organized by Marketing Space, one of Nigeria’s leading brand and marketing publications.

The Brand Handlers Summit & Awards is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious platforms celebrating excellence in the marketing and communications industry in Nigeria. With the theme “Advancing Nigeria’s Marketing Ecosystem to Drive Brand Growth”, the 2025 edition gathered top industry stakeholders, agencies, and decision-makers honoring outstanding contributions shaping the future of brand building.

Speaking on the award, the organizers commended Ms. Yahaya’s long-standing performance, innovative contributions, and commitment to elevating public relations and communications in Nigeria.

“We are delighted to confer this prestigious award on Ms. Abiola Aminat Yahaya for her remarkable achievements in the PR and communications sector. Her leadership at LemonLime Nigeria Limited embodies creativity, strategy, and impact in today’s brand ecosystem,” the statement from Marketing Space read.

In her role as CEO of LemonLime Nigeria Limited, Ms. Yahaya has consistently championed strategic brand positioning, reputation management, and innovative PR solutions that have empowered businesses and individuals to achieve greater visibility and influence. Her recognition as Emerging PR Champion affirms her growing influence as one of the industry’s rising thought leaders.

The Brand Handlers Summit & Awards 2025 did not only celebrate Ms. Yahaya and other honorees but also serve as a platform to inspire the next wave of leaders in Nigeria’s integrated marketing communications sector.
@wearelemonlime

…condemns calls for sack as terrorists’ propaganda

…hails CNS, COAS as outstanding officers globally respected for their performance

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has lauded the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the service chiefs for what he described as tangible and strategic gains in Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism, banditry and other crimes threatening national stability.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, said the current military leadership has reinvigorated counter-insurgency and counter-banditry operations in a manner that is restoring public confidence.

He insisted that recent calls in some quarters for the removal of the service chiefs were “propaganda warfare” from terrorist networks, designed to demoralise troops and distract the public from ongoing successes.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on his way to an international engagement, the UK-trained lawyer urged Nigerians to resist narratives that weaken the morale of fighting forces.

“The service chiefs have given us clear evidence that Nigeria can win this war. The terrorists and their enablers understand this, so they resort to psychological warfare. Their demand for a change of leadership is not for Nigeria’s benefit — it is a survival tactic for terror,” Agbese said.

He singled out General Musa for praise, pointing to his coordination of joint military operations and his ability to align the different services under a unified counter-terrorism framework.

According to him, the hosting of the African Defence Chiefs’ Summit in Abuja in August was a landmark achievement that showed Musa’s vision extended beyond Nigeria to the continent at large.

“That summit was not just a gathering; it was a statement. Nigeria, under General Musa, showed leadership by convening African militaries to discuss African solutions to African problems,” Agbese said.

Agbese also commended the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for his determined fight against oil theft, illegal refining, and maritime crime.

He said the Navy’s successes in protecting pipelines and curbing smuggling have translated directly into improved revenue inflows for the government.

“The Chief of Naval Staff has demonstrated uncommon commitment in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain. His leadership in curbing pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and other maritime crimes has not only secured vital national assets but also restored confidence in our waters. Today, illegal oil smuggling is no longer the thriving industry it once was, thanks to his strategic innovations and the dedication of naval officers under his command,” Agbese said.

“By protecting the nation’s blue economy, the Chief of Naval Staff has helped to stabilise government revenue at a time when Nigeria’s economic survival depends on it. His efforts resonate far beyond our shores, earning him respect in the global naval community. I commend him for showing that with vision and discipline, our armed forces can deliver solutions that transform both our economy and our security.”

On the role of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Agbese was emphatic that his field-driven leadership style has begun to turn the tide in troubled theatres of operation.

He said Oluyede’s tactical innovations and insistence on officers leading from the front have boosted morale among soldiers and shaken the confidence of insurgents and bandits.

“General Oluyede is not a desk officer; he is on the ground with the troops. His operational strategy has degraded terrorist enclaves in the North-East and weakened bandit networks in the North-West. Communities are regaining confidence because they see the Army’s presence and feel its renewed vigour,” Agbese observed.

He added that Oluyede’s outreach to local communities in conflict zones has also created fresh avenues for intelligence-gathering, which is proving decisive in anticipating and thwarting attacks.

“Security cannot be won by bullets alone; it requires the trust of the people. General Oluyede understands this and has fostered the kind of community collaboration that gives our troops a critical advantage,” he said.

Agbese, who is also a member of the Pan-African Parliament, pledged to use his continental platform to push for deeper regional defence cooperation.

“I will present model laws at the forthcoming Pan-African Parliament plenary in Johannesburg. Nigeria must not only lead the fight with strength on the battlefield but also with intellect at the policy level,” Agbese said.

He explained that the PAP develops laws for domestication across the continent, adding: “There is no better time to design a continental framework for combating insecurity than now, when Nigeria’s security architecture has taken the lead and is yielding results.”

On calls for the sack of the service chiefs, the deputy spokesperson said Nigerians must reject the “propaganda of despair.” According to him, those amplifying such calls are unwittingly aiding terrorist strategy.

“Our service chiefs are among the finest officers in Africa today. They are respected globally for their professionalism and results. To call for their removal now is to sabotage the progress we are making. We cannot allow terrorists to set our agenda,” he declared.

Agbese urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for the armed forces while holding leaders accountable through constructive engagements.

Public Space Tracker Names NUPRC Most Outstanding Agency, Commends Komolafe’s Leadership

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been named the most transparent and outstanding government agency in the country, with commendation for the leadership of its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, whose stewardship has set a new benchmark for accountability and efficiency in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

In a statement issued in Ghana on Wednesday, the Public Space Tracker in West Africa said NUPRC has demonstrated “remarkable openness, policy innovation, and integrity in the management of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum resources” since Komolafe assumed office.

The organisation described the Commission as a model of how regulatory agencies should function in a democracy, emphasising that transparency in resource governance is not merely a slogan but a measurable practice that has become synonymous with the NUPRC.

Dr. Ousman Zaharadeen, Convener of the Public Space Tracker, noted that the Commission under Komolafe has provided clear data on oil production, licensing, royalties, and revenue remittances in ways that have restored confidence among investors, civil society organisations, and citizens.

“Engr. Gbenga Komolafe has proven that with purposeful leadership, a government institution can be both transparent and efficient. The NUPRC has excelled in publishing credible information, engaging stakeholders with sincerity, and ensuring that Nigeria’s petroleum resources are managed with fairness and accountability. For us, this makes it the most transparent and outstanding agency in Nigeria today,” Zaharadeen said.

The group highlighted the Commission’s consistent practice of publishing industry statistics, ensuring compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and fostering trust through regular engagements with communities, operators, and civil society. It added that these steps have not only improved public accountability but have also enhanced Nigeria’s global image in resource governance.

According to Zaharadeen, NUPRC’s transparency initiatives have helped to reduce opacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, an area that has historically been dogged by secrecy and corruption.

He emphasized that by leading reforms in upstream petroleum regulation, the Commission has placed Nigeria on the path to greater energy justice and fiscal discipline.

“The Commission’s insistence on real-time monitoring of crude oil production and its strong regulatory oversight have curbed leakages and boosted government revenues. Its engagement with host communities has also demonstrated that extractive governance can be people-centred and inclusive,” the statement read.

Public Space Tracker in West Africa also commended NUPRC’s collaborative approach to tackling oil theft, insisting that the Commission’s role has been critical to recent improvements in production and revenue generation.

“The openness with which NUPRC operates has earned it credibility not only at home but also abroad. This is why Nigeria now attracts more serious-minded investors who can see that the rules are clear, consistent, and fairly applied,” Zaharadeen noted.

The organisation urged other government agencies to emulate the Commission’s approach, stressing that transparency and accountability are key to rebuilding citizens’ trust in governance.

“Beyond petroleum, Nigeria needs regulators in every sector who can match the example of NUPRC. This is not about propaganda but about measurable actions that strengthen institutions, reassure investors, and benefit ordinary citizens,” he said.

While calling for sustained reforms, Public Space Tracker in West Africa expressed confidence that under Komolafe’s leadership, the Commission would continue to deepen transparency, strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal base, and drive the country’s transition towards a more accountable resource economy.

“The NUPRC has earned our recognition as the most transparent and outstanding agency in the federation. We commend Engr. Komolafe for his exemplary leadership and urge him to sustain this trajectory of openness, accountability, and innovation in the service of the Nigerian people,” the statement concluded.