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The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Omosehin has called for stronger regional collaboration, improved claims settlement, and accelerated digital transformation to enhance the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme.

Speaking at the First Zonal Meeting of the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme held in Lagos, the Commissioner поted the importance of the initiative in promoting regional mobility and protecting road users across West Africa.

The meeting, hosted by the Nigerian National Bureau, brought together Commissioners of Insurance from member countries, chairmen of national bureaux, and key industry stakeholders to deliberate on challenges and opportunities within the scheme.

The Commissioner noted that the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme remains a critical instrument for facilitating the free movement of persons and goods within the region, while ensuring compensation for victims of cross-border road accidents.

He added that Nigeria has strengthened its implementation framework through the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025, which provides a flexible regulatory structure and reinforces the role of the National Bureau in governance and oversight.

Highlighting the need for operational discipline, the Commissioner stressed that prompt and fair settlement of claims is essential to maintaining confidence in the scheme.

He urged stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with operational guidelines, timely settlement of valid claims, and stronger collaboration among regulators and national bureaux.

According to him, delays in claims settlement and inconsistencies in applying rules could erode trust and weaken the effectiveness of the regional insurance arrangement.

The Commissioner also emphasised the importance of digital transformation in improving efficiency, noting that technology could enhance certificate verification, speed up claims processing, and strengthen fraud detection mechanisms.

The meeting, themed “The Digital Divide: Managing Change in the Brown Card Operational Strategy for Effective Cross-Border Claims Settlement,” focused on addressing gaps in digital adoption across member states.

While acknowledging the benefits of digitalisation, the Commissioner cautioned that the transition must be carefully managed, with attention to data governance, cybersecurity, system interoperability, and standardisation of processes.

He further stressed that the success of the scheme depends on mutual trust, reciprocity, and collective commitment among member countries.

Zonal engagements, he said, provide a platform to harmonise regulatory approaches, share experiences, and address operational challenges affecting the scheme.

Reiterating the core objective of the Brown Card Scheme, the Commissioner said it exists to protect motorists travelling across ECOWAS borders by ensuring a reliable compensation mechanism in the event of accidents.

He encouraged participants to engage constructively and develop practical solutions to strengthen the sustainability and operational effectiveness of the scheme.

The ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme is a regional motor insurance framework designed to guarantee compensation for third-party victims of road accidents involving motorists travelling across member states.

NAICOM Calls For Digital Shift, Stronger ECOWAS Collaboration is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigeria Police has acknowlegded what it described as the unfounded rumours circulating regarding the safety of certain centers in a North Central State for the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB examination scheduled to commence on 16th April 2026.

The NPF, in a statement signed by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, said the claims are without basis.

It said that while the NPF does not act on rumours, the concerns raised by members of the public have been duly noted as it concerns the safety, education and future of Nigerian children and wards, “and the Force has taken the following proactive steps to ensure the safety of all candidates,” it added.

“To this end, extra security has been deployed at examination centres nationwide, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents.

“This includes routine patrols, perimeter checks, and rapid response teams stationed at strategic locations. The Nigeria Police Force is collaborating closely with sister security agencies, to monitor and address potential threats effectively.

“Any individual or group attempting to disrupt the examination process will be swiftly identified and brought to justice.”

The Nigeria Police Force reassured candidates, parents, and the general public that every measure has been taken to guarantee a safe and conducive environment for all examinations.

“Candidates are encouraged to arrive early at their centres, adhere to examination regulations, and report any suspicious activities or persons to on-site security personnel,” it added.

It advised members of the public to disregard unverified information circulating on social media and to rely solely on official updates from JAMB and the NPF.

The Force said it remains committed to maintaining peace, security, and public confidence in all National activities, including the JAMB examinations.

JAMB: Police reacts to concerns about safety of certain exam centres

Energia Limited has announced the appointment of Oladimeji Bashorun as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the vacancy created by the exit of Mr Chidi Egonu.

Bashorun, who previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), steps into the role following years of providing strategic and operational leadership within the organisation.

According to the company, during his tenure as COO, he was at the helms of affairs of the company’s operations, driving operational efficiency and supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy.

A seasoned oil and gas professional, with over two decades of industry experience, Bashorun held several technical and leadership roles at Shell Petroleum Development Company and later at Sahara Upstream prior to joining Energia.

In these positions, he contributed to operational leadership, asset management, and initiatives focused on improving operational stability and performance.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman of Energia, George Osahon, said: “Oladimeji Bashorun has demonstrated exceptional leadership and deep industry expertise during his time as Chief Operating Officer. His commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth has been instrumental to Energia’s progress.

The Board is confident that under his leadership as the Chief Executive Officer, the Company will continue to strengthen its position as a key player in the industry, while delivering sustained value to its stakeholders.”

Speaking on his new role, Bashorun said, “I am honoured to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Energia. Working closely with a talented team that drives the company’s success, I look forward to building on our achievements and advancing Energia’s commitment to operational excellence, responsible energy development, and value creation for our stakeholders.”

Under Bashorun’s leadership, Energia will continue to focus on strengthening operational performance, expanding strategic opportunities, and contributing to Nigeria’s energy security while maintaining commitment to environmental stewardship and community development.

Energia Appoints Oladimeji Bashorun As Chief Executive Officer is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has urged staff of the commission to ensure that the mandate of the electorate determines the outcome of elections.

Agboke gave the charge during his farewell address at a handover ceremony held in Osogbo on Tuesday.

He cautioned staff against allowing themselves to be used for any form of malpractice, stressing the importance of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

According to him, “electoral officials must always reassure voters that their votes will count. INEC is constitutionally mandated to ensure credible elections.

“Always assure the voters that their votes would definitely count because INEC as a body is created by law to make votes count at all times.”

Agboke who warned that any process that determines election winners outside the will of the electorate would undermine democratic values and increase voter apathy advised staff to uphold the ethics of their profession and resist undue influence, reminding them of the consequences of compromising their integrity.

“Any other thing determining the winner of an election would not only be antithetical to democratic values but increase apathy in the political space.

“I leave you all to uphold the ethics of your profession. Do not be susceptible in any manner. Remember, if you are used, eventually you would be dumped,” Agboke stated.

Reflecting on his tenure, the outgoing Commissioner expressed appreciation to staff for their cooperation and acknowledged varying perceptions about his leadership style and emphasised his commitment to due process and credible elections, insisting that he would maintain the same principles under any circumstance.

“To some, Agboke was too tough. To others, too soft. Whatever perception you have, it was all in the name of instilling the spirit to do the right thing.

“I made it a duty to emphasise due process and votes being counted. If I die today and resurrect, it is the same method I will adopt,” he said.

Agboke also thanked stakeholders for their contributions to the electoral process in the state and called for continued collaboration to sustain credible elections.

The Osun INEC Administrative Secretary, Mrs Victoria Temitayo Adelusi in her remark described Dr Agboke as an administrator which transformed the Commission in the state.

She commended him for being exceptional during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR in the state.

She also revealed that due to his work ethics, Osun has continuously ranked third in the country with regards to the CVR exercise

“INEC Osun State will miss your presence and also take pride in knowing your legacy in the state will be ensuring. We thank you for your sacrifice and commitment to the ideal of the Commission,” she added.

She added that INEC being a family wished Dr Agboke success in his efforts to work towards fulfilling the Commission’s mandate.

DAILY POST recalled that Dr Agboke assumed duty in November, 2022 as the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and was last Wednesday redeployed to Ondo State.

INEC staff should uphold electoral integrity, due process — Dr Agboke

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday outlined a set of policy-driven security interventions aimed at curbing rising violence in Imafon, Igushin, and Ilado communities in Akure North Local Government Area, following recent deadly attacks in the axis. The governor made the declaration during a familiarisation and condolence visit to the area, reaffirming his administration’s […]

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Nigeria Police Force has said it is deploying extra security at all JAMB examination centres nationwide, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents following what it described as “unfounded rumours” circulating regarding the safety of certain centres in a state in the North Central region.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is aware of recent unfounded rumors circulating regarding the safety of certain centers in a North Central State for the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination scheduled to commence on 16th April 2026,” the statement said.

“The NPF wishes to categorically state that these claims are without basis.

“While the NPF does not act on rumors, the concerns raised by members of the public have been duly noted as it concerns the safety, education and future of our children and wards, and the Force has taken the following proactive steps to ensure the safety of all candidates.

“To this end, extra security has been deployed at examination centres nationwide, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents.

“This includes routine patrols, perimeter checks, and rapid response teams stationed at strategic locations.

The Nigeria Police Force is collaborating closely with sister security agencies, to monitor and address potential threats effectively.

“Any individual or group attempting to disrupt the examination process will be swiftly identified and brought to justice.

“The Nigeria Police Force reassures candidates, parents, and the general public that every measure has been taken to guarantee a safe and conducive environment for all examinations.

“Candidates are encouraged to arrive early at their centres, adhere to examination regulations, and report any suspicious activities or persons to on-site security personnel.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard unverified information circulating on social media and to rely solely on official updates from JAMB and the NPF.

“The Force remains committed to maintaining peace, security, and public confidence in all National activities, including the JAMB examinations.

“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation of all citizens and stakeholders in ensuring a smooth and secure examination process, especially sister security agencies.”

The post Police to deploy extra security at all JAMB exam centres nationwide appeared first on Vanguard News.

A woman has died “suddenly” during a 17-hour flight from New York to New Zealand, despite efforts by crew members and medical professionals onboard to save her.

Emergency services were on standby when the aircraft landed in Auckland, where authorities later confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. A coroner is now examining the circumstances surrounding the death.

Airline officials confirmed that urgent attempts were made to revive the passenger mid-flight. “Urgent assistance was provided by crew and doctors onboard but sadly they passed away,” a spokesperson said. “In line with standard procedure, emergency services met the aircraft as part of the response.”

The airline also extended condolences to the woman’s family and friends following the tragic incident.

The case comes just weeks after a separate mid-air death on a British Airways flight from Hong Kong to London. In that instance, a woman in her 60s died about an hour after take-off, but the flight continued to its destination rather than turning back.

A source described the emotional toll on those onboard, saying: “Obviously the family with the woman were distraught, and so were the crew. “Many wanted to return to Hong Kong. But, to put it bluntly, if a passenger has already died, that is not viewed as an emergency.

“A discussion was had about what to do with the body — with the flightdeck’s request to lock it in a toilet rejected by crew. “So they had to isolate the body, wrap it in materials, and move it to a galley at the rear of the plane. “The galley had a heated floor, which some crew had overlooked, and towards the end of the flight there were claims that a foul smell was present in that region.”

On arrival, police boarded the aircraft and asked up to 331 passengers to remain seated for about 45 minutes while initial investigations were carried out.

Vanguard News

The post Woman dies mid-air on flight from New York despite rescue efforts appeared first on Vanguard News.

The International Energy Agency, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank Group have warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East is triggering a major global energy and economic shock, with far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

The institutions disclosed this in a joint statement issued after a high-level coordination meeting held on Monday to assess the impact of the conflict.

They noted that the crisis is already driving up energy and commodity prices, with widespread but uneven effects, particularly on energy-importing and low-income countries.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the organisations said:

“As we noted earlier this month, the impact of the war is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries.”
“The shock has led to higher oil, gas, and fertilizer prices, triggering concerns about food security and job losses as well. Some oil and gas producers in the Middle East have also seen a dramatic loss of export revenue.”
“The situation remains very uncertain, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is yet to normalize.”

“Even after a resumption of regular shipping flows through the Strait, it will take time for global supplies of key commodities to move back towards their pre-conflict levels—and fuel and fertilizer prices may remain high for a prolonged period given the damage to infrastructure.”

The institutions said supply disruptions are expected to affect multiple sectors, including energy, food, and manufacturing.

They further noted that the crisis is already impacting livelihoods and economic stability across regions. Rising energy and fertilizer costs are increasing pressure on food production and prices, while some Middle Eastern oil and gas producers are experiencing significant export revenue losses.

In addition, the conflict has led to the displacement of people, job losses, and a slowdown in travel and tourism activities, with recovery likely to be gradual due to infrastructure damage and ongoing supply chain disruptions.

According to the institutions, the full scale and duration of the impact remain uncertain.

The meeting forms part of a coordination framework established in early April to address the economic fallout from the conflict. The IEA, IMF, and World Bank Group said the initiative aims to align policy responses and strengthen support mechanisms for affected countries.

They added that disruptions to global supply chains—particularly in energy and key commodities—have been exacerbated by challenges in shipping through critical routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, amplifying existing vulnerabilities in global energy and food systems.

The institutions said they are working closely to support impacted economies through coordinated policy advice and financial assistance where necessary. The IMF and World Bank may provide financial support to countries facing severe economic shocks.

Further assessments are expected in upcoming reports, including the IEA Oil Market Report and the IMF World Economic Outlook, as the institutions continue to monitor developments and coordinate efforts to support global economic stability.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is intensifying efforts to secure global support amid the unfolding crisis. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is ramping up engagement with international partners as the country navigates rising oil revenues alongside mounting inflation pressures triggered by the conflict.

In a media brief ahead of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington DC, the Federal Ministry of Finance outlined key policy priorities to guide Nigeria’s engagement with global stakeholders.

IMF, World Bank, Others Warn Of Global Energy Shock is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Executive Secretary, Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong Jnr., has urged the Federal Government to resuscitate the country’s four refineries by handing them over to those who can run them efficiently in Nigeria. Isong said this while airing his views on the effect of the ongoing conflict between the United States […]

Ghanaian President John Mahama has explained why Nigeria’s economic and political stability is vital to Ghana, noting that developments in Africa’s most populous country have direct implications for regional security and migration across West Africa. Mahama made the remarks at the African Heritage Awards held in Accra on April 11, where he stressed that Ghana […]