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Stakeholders have urged the Nigerian government to urgently crack down on the spike in the rate of fake and illicit wines and spirits drinks in the country.

They made this demand at an event in Abuja on Wednesday.

In his remarks at the event, the president of the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Micheal Ehindero, emphasized the urgency of collective action while rallying stakeholders against the menace.

“Illicit trade in spirits and wines is not just an industry issue—it is a national concern. It undermines consumer safety, erodes government revenue, and distorts fair competition. Today’s engagement reinforces that sustainable solutions will only come from coordinated efforts across government, industry, and enforcement agencies,” Ehindero stated.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Association, Tony Okwoju, highlighted the importance of curbing illicit wines and spirits in Nigeria.

He said 40 percent of wines and drinks consumed in Nigeria are fake and illicit.

“Illicit drinks in Nigeria stand at 40 percent. This suggests that for every five bottles of spirits and wines drunk, two are illicit,” he said.

In his address, the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, FCCPC, Tunji Bello, hailed the association for canvassing against the illicit trade of wines and spirits in the country.

Crackdown on rising fake wine syndicates —Stakeholders tell Nigerian govt

Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has provided a persuasive narrative on how disciplined and strategic communication unified a divided opposition into a cohesive national movement that successfully challenged the ruling party in 2015.

During his address at Abbey College, Cambridge, UK, on Wednesday, Mohammed traced the origins of this transformation back to the aftermath of Nigeria’s 2003 general elections, which he notably referred to as a “political tsunami.”

“2003 was a year marked by a political tsunami in Nigeria, a year when the opposition faced what could be considered its most significant setback in the nation’s political history,” he stated.

“When Nigeria transitioned back to democratic governance in 1999, the distribution of states governed by the three principal parties post-elections was relatively even.

“The newly established ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secured 21 states, while the primary opposition All Peoples Party, APP, obtained nine states, and the Alliance for Democracy, AD, which I was part of at that time, won six.

“However, four years later, following the 2003 general elections, calamity ensued. The PDP acquired seven additional states, raising its total to 28. Five of these states were taken from my party’s six, leaving us with just one, Lagos.

“The APP, which had since rebranded as the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, lost two states but continued to be the leading opposition with seven states,” he elaborated.

The former Minister clarified that the election results stripped the AD of its power, structure, and influence, forcing it to pursue new alliances. These initiatives culminated in the establishment of the Action Congress of Democrats, ACD, which later transformed into the Action Congress, AC, and ultimately the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Despite having control over only one state at that time, he noted that the ACN harnessed the power of communication to position itself as the most prominent opposition force in the nation.

“In those times, communication served as our most powerful tool. Each word held significance. Every message needed to penetrate the noise, for if it failed to do so, we simply did not exist in the public’s awareness,” Alhaji Mohammed remarked.

Through consistent public engagement, strategic messaging, and unwavering advocacy, the opposition gradually restored public confidence and broadened its political presence.

He stated that the ACN expanded from one state to six, a progression that allowed it to build coalitions with other parties to establish the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2013.

He observed that the APC quickly emerged as the leading opposition force and subsequently triumphed over the ruling PDP in the 2015 general elections, marking a historic moment in Nigeria when a ruling party was ousted at the national level.

“That experience taught me that communication transcends mere speaking; it encompasses persistence, clarity, and strategic positioning,” the former Minister remarked.

Reflecting on his governmental tenure, Mohammed indicated that his experiences in opposition significantly influenced his governance approach when his party took power in 2015 and he was appointed Minister of Information and Culture.

“It solidified my conviction that communication is not an accessory to politics or governance,” he stated. “It is an essential tool for both.”

Lai Mohammed opens up on major factor in APC, Buhari’s victory in 2015

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has expressed concern over the attitude of motorists and other road users towards the maintenance of federal and various other roads across the country. Engr. Francis Isabiyi made this observation during an on-site assessment of the major structural failures along the Saki-Ago Are road. He stated that over eighty […]

The post FERMA raises alarm over man-made road damage, faults motorists appeared first on Tribune Online.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has announced the seizure of 1,800 cartons of alcoholic beverages valued at approximately N350 million in Lagos State, following coordinated enforcement operations targeting illegal production sites.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, the agency said its operatives uncovered and shut down two clandestine facilities engaged in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic drinks.

NAFDAC explained that acting on credible intelligence, its enforcement team carried out raids at Zamfara Plaza within the Trade Fair Complex and another location on Lagos Island, where large quantities of fake and substandard alcoholic products were recovered.

According to the agency, the operation at the Trade Fair Complex revealed makeshift production areas fitted with plastic mixing containers, improvised filtering equipment, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used for the production of counterfeit beverages.

A separate operation on Lagos Island reportedly led to the arrest of a suspect believed to be involved in the illegal manufacture and distribution of the adulterated drinks through a retail outlet. All recovered items were confiscated and removed for further regulatory investigation.

NAFDAC cautioned that the consumption of adulterated alcoholic products poses severe health risks, including poisoning, organ failure, and possible death.

It advised members of the public to patronise only authorised outlets and report suspicious activities to the nearest agency office.

NAFDAC seizes N350m worth of fake alcohol in Lagos raids

Ranchers Bees earned promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, despite going down 2-0 to Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium on Wednesday.

The Kaduna-based club needed just one point to secure their return to the top-flight but the result didn’t matter much after their rivals Jigawa Golden Stars lost 3-0 away to Kebbi United.

Ranchers Bees finished top of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Conference D with 20 points.

They will be making a return to the NPFL after 26 years.

Jigawa Golden Stars finished third with 18 points.

DAILY POST recalls Doma United, Inter Lagos, and Sporting Lagos have earlier secured promotion to the NPFL.

NNL: Ranchers Bees clinch NPFL promotion

Shareholders of Afriland Properties Plc have approved a total dividend payout of N329.7m for the 2025 financial year, as the company reported steady revenue growth and a significant expansion in its asset base to N65bn.

The approval was granted at the company’s 13th Annual General Meeting, where management presented audited results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The declared dividend of 24 kobo per ordinary share comprises an interim dividend of 13 kobo already paid and a final dividend of 11 kobo, reinforcing the company’s commitment to consistent shareholder returns.

Afriland Properties posted revenue of N4.07bn, representing an 8 per cent increase from N3.75bn recorded in 2024.

Gross profit also rose to N3.51bn from N3.13bn in the previous year, supported by improved operational efficiency and tighter cost controls across its business segments.

However, profit before tax declined to N2.60bn from N3.70bn in 2024, reflecting prevailing macroeconomic pressures and cost dynamics.

The company’s balance sheet showed notable strength, with total assets rising by 33 per cent to N65bn, up from N48bn in the prior year. Shareholders’ funds also increased to N36.09bn from N34.93bn, indicating sustained value accretion despite earnings pressure.

Chairman of the Board, Emmanuel Nnorom, said the 2025 performance underscores the company’s resilience and disciplined approach in navigating a challenging operating environment.

He noted that the firm remained focused on preserving value, strengthening its asset base, and delivering sustainable returns to investors.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Azubike Emodi, described the results as a reflection of the company’s strong operating model and execution capabilities.

He said Afriland continued to record progress across its core business areas, including property development, facilities management, asset enhancement, and investment activities, while maintaining efficiency and long-term value creation.

Emodi added that the company is entering a new phase of growth, driven by a pipeline of ongoing and upcoming projects in key markets such as Lagos and Abuja.

He also highlighted efforts to reposition underutilised assets to improve yield and optimise returns over the long term.

Looking ahead, Afriland Properties expressed optimism about opportunities within Nigeria’s real estate sector, particularly in residential housing, mixed-use developments, and commercial real estate.

The company said it would continue to leverage innovation, strategic partnerships, and disciplined execution to sustain growth and enhance stakeholder value.

Afriland Properties Shareholders Approve N329.7m Dividend, Assets Rise To N65bn is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The First Lady of Taraba State, Mrs Agyin Agbu Kefas, has called on mothers and communities to prioritise routine immunisation as a critical step in safeguarding the health of children across the state.

She made the appeal during a state-level advocacy campaign on routine immunisation and primary health care held on Wednesday in Jalingo, the state capital.

Mrs Agyin Agbu Kefas acknowledged recent improvements in immunisation coverage and access to primary healthcare services, commending health workers for their resilience and dedication, particularly in rural communities.

She, however, expressed concern over the persistence of zero-dose children—those who have not received any vaccines—and urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure no child is left behind.

As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots awareness, Mrs Kefas launched the “Mama Ambassadors” initiative.

The programme, DAILY POST learnt, is designed to mobilise women across the 16 local government areas of Taraba State to promote healthcare-seeking behaviours, including attendance at antenatal clinics and routine immunisation for children.

She reassured residents of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, calling for sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa, commended the state government’s support and lauded the First Lady’s commitment to improving maternal and child health.

He reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to delivering quality healthcare services across the state.

On his part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Bordiya G. Buma, represented by Mr Chufor Harmony, said the government is strengthening primary healthcare through facility upgrades, provision of medical equipment, and recruitment of additional health workers to enhance service delivery.

In her remarks, Hajiya Halima Mohammed, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), praised the Taraba First Lady’s initiative and reiterated the Forum’s commitment to collaborating on programmes that improve the health and wellbeing of women and children in Taraba State and across Nigeria.

Taraba First Lady urges routine immunisation to protect children

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation and proposed the establishment of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigeria’s power, gas, and related sectors.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State. He, however, emphasised that sustaining and consolidating the gains recorded in the power sector requires stronger coordination at the highest level, including the appointment of a central authority to harmonise policy direction and execution.

Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said the Minister expressed deep appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.

Adelabu noted that his decision aligns with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which precludes serving political office holders from contesting elections. He further disclosed that his gubernatorial aspiration dates back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In his three-page letter, the Minister outlined key achievements recorded during his tenure, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the electricity market and improved the investment climate. He highlighted that peak power generation rose to over 6,000 megawatts, driven by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal power plants. Transmission capacity was also strengthened through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.

He further cited notable improvements in the distribution segment, including enhanced regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection, and progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses. Efforts to close the metering gap, he added, gained momentum through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).

On the financial front, Adelabu stated that tariff reforms and a ₦4 trillion debt restructuring programme increased market revenues from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion in 2025, restoring investor confidence and placing the sector on a path to sustainability.

Despite these gains, the Minister acknowledged persistent challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain. He therefore proposed key measures to sustain progress, including the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained transmission investments, and strengthened regulatory enforcement.

Central to his recommendations is the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic oversight and ensure synergy across power, gas, water resources, and environmental sectors. According to him, this approach is critical to improving gas supply for thermal generation, optimising hydroelectric resources, and accelerating renewable energy deployment.

Tunji added that Adelabu remains committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless handover process, while expressing gratitude to the President for the confidence and support extended to him throughout his tenure.

The Niger State Government has assured that it will begin the release of budgeted funds to strengthen preparedness and response to disasters, as part of efforts to reduce the impact of future shocks across the state.

This follows recent warnings by the Federal Government that 33 states, including Niger, may experience flooding this year.

The Commissioner for Planning Commission, Mustapha Ndajiwo, disclosed this at a three-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the Niger State Shock Response Framework, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in Minna.

He said provisions had already been made in the 2026 budget for disaster response, counterpart funding, and related interventions, stressing that funds would be deployed when necessary.

Ndajiwo noted that Niger State remains highly vulnerable to disasters, adding that the government is reviewing existing strategies to improve response and build a more coordinated system.

He further explained that while policies exist in sectors such as agriculture, food security, and nutrition, implementation has often been fragmented, making it necessary to develop a unified Shock Response Framework that integrates planning, emergency management, and social services.

Speaking in an interview, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Mohammed Inga Ibrahim, said the ministry would work with stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and community resilience.

He stressed the need for proactive measures and sustainable financing, noting that emergency response must be backed by a clear funding mechanism to enable rapid action before crises escalate.

Ibrahim also called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination and the use of early warning systems based on data such as rainfall patterns, food prices, and nutrition indicators to trigger timely interventions.

In her goodwill message, UNICEF WASH Specialist for the Kaduna Field Office and Emergency Focal Person for Niger State, Theresa Pamma, said the meeting aims to mobilise resources for effective disaster response, adding that UNICEF would continue to provide technical support.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Planning Commission, Aishatu Usman, warned that Niger State remains exposed to recurring shocks such as flooding, inflation, and insecurity, which often erase years of development gains and hit vulnerable households the hardest.

Niger govt to release budgeted funds for disaster response

Former Chelsea player, Jason Cundy, has slammed the Blues following their ‘disgusting’ performance against Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Cundy said he was ashamed of Liam Rosenior’s side against the hosts at the Amex Stadium as they were thrashed 3-0.

The result leaves Chelsea in seventh position on the Premier League table with less than four matches to conclude the season.

“That was absolutely disgusting,” Cundy told talkSPORT while reacting to Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton. “I am ashamed of that performance. Absolutely ashamed. It’s gutless.

“They absolutely battered us. They embarrassed us. At 2-0, I’m thinking the scoreline just doesn’t do it justice. And at 3-0, it still doesn’t.”

EPL: Absolutely disgusting, I’m ashamed of your performance – Jason Cundy blasts Chelsea