“Lagos is Africa’s foremost investment destination,” Speaker Obasa Declares

With a 20-million-strong population, $260 billion GDP, and status as West Africa’s maritime gateway, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa has once again declared Lagos as Africa’s premium business destination.

The Speaker reaffirmed this stance when he hosted a high-profile delegation from China’s Guangxi Province, led by Zhang Xiaoqin, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangxi People’s Congress, on Monday at the Assembly complex.

While hailing the visit as a ‘watershed moment’ for cross-continental collaboration, Speaker Obasa lauded the delegation’s expression of interest in deepening bilateral ties between Nigeria and China, with Lagos as a focal point – saying it underscores the state’s growing geopolitical clout as Africa’s fifth-largest economy and a hub of innovation, commerce, and cultural dynamism.

He said, “Lagos is more than a city – it is a vision of progress. Lagos is the best place to invest in Africa because we have the population and the enabling laws for ease of doing business. Our economy is huge and vibrant, one of the biggest in Africa. Whatever you invest here, you will recoup your investment. In the area of tourism, we are still expanding, and every idea is welcome to make us harness our potential.”

Further, he declared the state’s readiness to welcome investments in infrastructure, citing the existing collaboration between Lagos and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in the construction and operation of the Red and Blue Rail lines.

The proposed engagement with Guangxi Province, the Speaker said, unlocks doors for mutual growth in trade, technology, and cultural exchange. Therefore, he continued, “Our Assembly is committed to crafting legislative frameworks that foster sustainable development and global partnerships, and collaborating in the area of legislation and exchange of ideas for good governance.

“Lawmaking is the bedrock of progress. We will ensure our statutes align with global best practices to secure win-win outcomes for Lagos and our partners.”

Earlier, Xiaoqin had described the visit as “a foundation for enduring friendship,” with plans for follow-up technical exchanges. He described Lagos as a “vibrant economic ecosystem” and said that it shares maritime advantages with Guangxi that could be leveraged to grow tourism. “We are looking forward to enhancing collaboration in the area of trade, economy, and tourism. We hope you will provide more care for the Chinese citizens in Lagos,” he said.

Indeed, Guangxi, a southern Chinese region bordering Vietnam and famed for its ASEAN trade corridors, shares synergies with Lagos in port logistics, agriculture, and tourism. Guangxi’s interest signals China’s broader strategy to expand its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) footprint in Nigeria, with Lagos positioned as a linchpin.

For Obasa, the engagement is both diplomatic and symbolic: a reaffirmation of Lagos’s legislative maturity and its readiness to shape Africa’s 21st-century narrative.

From Skill to Wealth: Why Mastery, Not Luck, Creates Financial Freedom.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Wealth is not a miracle, nor is it a product of luck. It is the fruit of discipline, skill, foresight and relentless determination. The road to financial freedom is paved not with shortcuts but with the bricks of hard work, sacrifice and mastery. Every empire we admire today (from global retail chains to family-built enterprises) was birthed from knowledge applied with consistency. One must understand that wealth creation is not a mystical event; it is a DELIBERATE PROCESS that can be learned, replicated and expanded.

The Four Stages of Wealth Building.

The framework of wealth creation can be summarized in four simple yet profound steps:

Your skill earns you money.

Your money buys you assets.

Your assets bring you wealth.

Your wealth brings you freedom. At the core of this sequence is skill. If you do not come from a family with generational wealth or established business connections, your best entry point into financial stability and eventual prosperity is through acquiring a skill. Skill is the tool that transforms poverty into possibility.

As management guru Peter Drucker once said: “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged and increased constantly or it vanishes.” Without skill, money slips through your fingers like water. With skill, you create value and value, in turn, attracts wealth.

Why Skill Is the Cornerstone of Wealth. Many young people mistakenly believe that capital alone builds businesses. This is a dangerous illusion. The foundation of every great company is not money but knowledge applied to solve problems.

Colin du Plessis, the founder of Talisman Hire, did not start with immense wealth. He began as a mechanic with deep knowledge of machines and the hire industry. In 1993, with little more than his skill and determination, he started Talisman Hire. Today, the company has grown into a leading equipment rental business in South Africa.

The story of WeBuyCars follows the same principle. The Fouché brothers, Dirk and Faan, did not inherit millions. They inherited knowledge (the art of mechanics) from their father. With skill as their currency, they built WeBuyCars into South Africa’s dominant pre-owned car buying and selling empire.

Even Shoprite, Africa’s largest retail giant, was not born out of endless capital. Whitey Basson, often regarded as South Africa’s greatest retailer, acquired just eight small stores in 1979. Through strategic foresight, hands-on experience and a deep understanding of retail dynamics, he transformed Shoprite into a massive retail chain employing over 140,000 people across Africa.

These stories emphasize one timeless truth: skill and mastery, not luck or inheritance, are the real engines of wealth creation.

The Harsh Reality: Wealth Demands Excellence. One indisputable fact must be hammered into the consciousness of every aspiring entrepreneur: Wealth is not built by mediocrity. You cannot stumble your way to financial freedom.

If you are a carpenter, you must strive to be the carpenter whose craftsmanship speaks louder than words. If you are a teacher, you must be so effective that your name commands respect. If you are a business owner, you must understand your industry so deeply that you can predict its shifts before they occur.

As Aristotle famously said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

The marketplace is ruthless. Customers will not reward incompetence. Investors will not fund ignorance. Only those who rise above the ordinary by excelling in their craft can reap the benefits of wealth.

Skill as an Equalizer: The Path for the Ordinary Person. We live in a world where inequality is vast and opportunities are often distributed unfairly. Skill is the equalizer. You may not inherit a trust fund, but you can learn coding, carpentry, medicine, mechanics or entrepreneurship.

Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, put it plainly: “Wealth is a person’s ability to survive so many number of days forward; if I stopped working today, how long could I survive?” That ability to survive and thrive in the absence of daily labor depends entirely on how you convert your skill into assets and ultimately, into wealth.

If you lack the resources to launch a business today, do not despair. Begin with skill. Master it, monetize it and reinvest the earnings.

The Role of Knowledge in Business Expansion. A business is not a lottery ticket; it is a battlefield of ideas, strategy and execution. Without profound knowledge, businesses collapse like houses built on sand.

Consider this: statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) reveal that 20% of businesses fail in the first year, 50% within five years and 70% within ten years. The common denominator among failures is not just lack of funding but lack of knowledge, poor planning and weak execution.

Renowned economist Adam Smith once declared: “The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.” But aspirations alone are insufficient. Aspiration must be married with preparation and execution.

This is why every successful entrepreneur invests heavily in continuous learning. Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, taught himself rocket science before founding SpaceX. Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors alive, spends 80% of his day reading. Knowledge is the compass that guides wealth creation.

Wealth and Freedom: The Ultimate Goal. Money, by itself, is not wealth. Wealth is the ownership of assets that generate income whether you work or not. True wealth gives birth to freedom; the freedom to live life on your terms, the freedom to walk away from toxic jobs, the freedom to provide generational security for your family.

Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, warned: “Never spend your money before you have earned it.” This advice remains relevant today. Acquiring assets (real estate, stocks, businesses or intellectual property) ensures that your wealth compounds while you sleep.

Wealth is not just about personal luxury; it is about impact. As Andrew Carnegie said, “The man who dies rich, dies disgraced.” Wealth becomes meaningful only when it is used to uplift others, create opportunities and transform society.

Practical Steps to Begin Your Journey. Acquire a skill. It could be digital, vocational or entrepreneurial.

Master your craft. Excellence makes you indispensable.

Earn and save. Avoid unnecessary consumption; reinvest profits.

Buy assets, not liabilities. Assets generate wealth; liabilities drain it.

Expand your knowledge. Read, research and forecast industry trends.

Build systems. Create businesses that function beyond your presence.

Give back. Use your wealth to uplift others and strengthen communities.

Final Word: Your Destiny Is in Your Hands. Whether you inherit a business or start from scratch with a skill, the path is equally honorable. Do not allow lack of capital, lack of support or fear of failure to cripple you. History has shown us that the greatest wealth builders were not always the richest at the beginning; they were simply those who mastered their craft and persisted.

As Confucius wisely said: “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

So, start today. Acquire a skill. Build assets. Seek knowledge. And remember, wealth is not an end; it is the means to freedom.

Ajadi’s Legal Team Writes U.S. Embassy, Demands Review Of Denied Visa Applications

The legal team of Nigerian business mogul and former gubernatorial candidate, Ambassador Comrade Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has written to the United States Embassy demanding a formal review of the recent visa denial issued to Ajadi and his wife, Mrs. Oyindamola Motunrola Ajadi.

In a strongly worded application dated August 18, 2025, the law firm Izunya Izunya & Co., signed by the head of the chamber, Barrister Isaac Izunya, the couple’s lawyer, alleged that the refusal was “erroneous, issued without specific reasons, and in violation of bilateral diplomatic principles.”

The demands addressed to the U.S. Consular General at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, requested the embassy to exercise supervisory powers to review the decision, which was premised on Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. To reinforce the demands, the letter was also copied to the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria in Abuja, urging high-level intervention.

Ajadi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited — with business interests spanning beverage manufacturing, real estate, entertainment (Bullion Records), and sports (boxing promotions) — and his wife had applied for a U.S. business visa following an official invitation from Tunnad Properties, a registered American real estate company. According to documents attached to the demands, including the invitation letter dated May 15, 2025, the couple fulfilled all requirements, submitted all relevant documents, and answered questions at the Abuja visa interview.

Despite this, the couple was issued a refusal notice on August 4, 2025, citing Section 214(b), which presumes visa applicants may not return to their home country unless they demonstrate strong ties.

Barrister Izunya, however, argued that the embassy’s denial letter was “vague, generic, and improperly drafted,” failing to contain the names, application numbers, or passport details of the applicants. He maintained that the decision did not tie the cited law to the Ajadis’ case and thus fell short of international best practices.

“We refuse to admit that the United States of America, the most powerful country on planet earth, will issue a visa denial letter without being properly addressed to the applicant and without reason for such denial,” the demands read.

The legal team further noted that both Ajadi and his wife have established strong ties to Nigeria, with ongoing businesses locally and investments in Grenada and the United Kingdom. According to them, the absence of specific grounds for denial violates the spirit of the Nigeria–U.S. visa reciprocity agreement.

The demands warned that the refusal has caused “psychological trauma and pain” to the applicants, who, it argues, were denied transparency in the process.

Among the prayers submitted, the legal team demanded that the Consular General:

Review the CCTV footage of the visa interview and the audio tape.
Re-examine all documents submitted by the applicants.
Provide clear, specific reasons if the denial must stand.
The demands also copied the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria in Abuja, urging high-level intervention.

This development comes just some days after Ajadi himself publicly accused the U.S. of using visa applications as a tool for “economic exploitation and second colonisation.” Speaking in Ogun State, he had decried the practice of collecting full visa fees from Nigerians while issuing mass printout denials without stating the applicant’s identity. Claimed that the process is not a transparent justification.

“Nigerians are financing the American system,” Ajadi said. “The visa fee is $185 per person, non-refundable. Multiply that by hundreds of thousands of applicants every year, and it becomes a billion-naira pipeline flowing from Nigeria straight into American coffers. My name is unique, just like every applicant’s. Each individual deserves a letter stating clear reasons for denial. What we have instead is not transparency but institutional deception. Nigerians deserve better.”

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja is yet to respond to either Ajadi’s public allegations or his legal team’s demands. But observers note that the matter is rapidly evolving from a personal grievance into a larger diplomatic question about fairness, transparency, and reciprocity in international visa regimes