BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—For many Lagos parents, the start of a new school session brings a familiar worry: how to cover school bags, exercise books and mathematical sets when even putting food on the table is a daily struggle.

This season, that pressure eased a little for families in six public schools, as Zenith General Insurance Limited stepped in with the supplies their children needed to begin the term prepared, and with a message that where they come from should never limit how far they go.

The initiative, implemented under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, seeks to ease the financial burden on parents, improve students’ access to essential learning materials and promote inclusive education, particularly among children in public schools.

Speaking during the presentation, Mrs. Dolapo Olatayo Talabi, General Manager at Zenith General Insurance Limited, challenged students to recognise their present academic experiences as the foundation for future achievements. Addressing students at Alimosho Junior Grammar School, Talabi engaged them in an interactive session around the theme, “Prepared for Success,” encouraging them to develop habits that would position them to take advantage of opportunities. She described the classroom, textbooks, assignments and everyday choices students make as essential parts of their preparation for the future.
Talabi identified purpose, preparation and persistence as three essential ingredients for success.

“Success is not an accident. Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” she said. She also cautioned against allowing their age or the location of their schools to limit their aspirations, stressing that greatness depends on preparation rather than geography. Describing the students as potential game-changers of today, rather than merely leaders of tomorrow, she encouraged them to commit themselves to academic excellence and personal development.

Explaining the rationale behind the donation, Hashim Okunbor, Head of Corporate Communications at Zenith General Insurance Limited, said the company regarded children as the foundation of the nation’s future and considered investment in education essential to sustainable community development.

According to him, the back-to-school initiative was designed to provide practical assistance to families facing the financial pressures associated with the beginning of a new academic session. “As a company, we believe strongly that children are the future. The Back-to-School Initiative allows us to maximise long-term social impact and build multigenerational brand loyalty. But more importantly, we know that the new school session comes with some financial pressure on parents, hence our decision to help in our own little way,” he said.

Okunbor explained that the beneficiary schools were selected in consultation with the relevant local government school district to ensure the intervention reached students across different communities.He expressed hope that the donated materials would support students’ academic activities and encourage them to pursue their ambitions.
“We hope that these items serve them well and encourage them to dream big,” he said.

He added that the initiative formed part of the insurer’s broader commitment to education and community development, recalling that the company supported a school library project in 2024.According to him, Zenith General Insurance conducts annual assessments to identify areas where its resources and expertise can deliver meaningful social impact.

He noted that the programme also demonstrated the human side of insurance by showing how businesses could support vulnerable communities, address practical challenges and contribute to restoring hope.

Responding on behalf of the six beneficiary schools, the Principal of Alimosho Junior Grammar School, Mrs Ige Adekunle Mary, commended Zenith General Insurance for the donation, describing it as timely and beneficial to students, parents and the wider school community. She observed that many parents struggled to provide basic necessities, including food, making it difficult to meet additional expenses for school bags, exercise books and other learning materials.

Mary said the intervention would provide financial relief to families while helping to reduce disparities between students from different economic backgrounds. She added that access to appropriate educational materials was essential for effective classroom participation, consistent learning and improved understanding of school subjects.

The principal called on other private-sector organisations to support public schools, describing them as critical platforms for grassroots development and national transformation.
“I wish to appreciate Zenith General Insurance and other private organisations and encourage them to see public schools as a rich field for grassroots nation-building,” she said. She also advocated increased investment in educational infrastructure and extracurricular activities to improve students’ learning experiences and promote their overall development.

The donation underscores the potential of corporate social responsibility programmes to complement government efforts to improve access to education in Nigeria.

For Zenith General Insurance, the initiative combines material support for students with a broader message: preparing young people for success requires access to learning resources, encouragement and the determination to make the most of available opportunities.

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The police said they would use a predictive and risk-analysis strategy to identify where trouble could erupt, which would guide their deployment of personnel.

 Dr Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioner of Police, Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Force Headquarters, Abuja, disclosed this during a panel session at the 2026 annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) held in Lagos. The conference ended Thursday, October 8, 2026.

The conference had as its theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities”.

Dr Shogunle was part of a four-person panel including Prof Tayo Popoola (Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos), Dr Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack (Creative Director, Gender Agenda, Founder of WEWE Network Afrique), and Mr Lanre Arogundade (Executive Director, International Press Institute, IPI). The panel was moderated by Ken Ugbechue, Publisher, Political Economist.

The panel analysed the keynote presentation of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, represented by the Lagos State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Ayobami Salami.

Dr Shogunle revealed that the Police have already started deployment for the 2027 election, even as he assured of an adequate number of personnel to effectively police the general elections.

He said: “We found out that we needed to do different things. We brought in the academic angle as it is done in other countries. The Anambara State election was our first test. For once, election was conducted in one day. There was no shooting, no killing. There rather was an increase in voter turnout.”

 “Next were Abuja and Ekiti, and there were no issues, too. In Anambra, our academic approach was the use of the problem analysis triangle. For crime to happen, there are three factors that must come together: Perpetrator, lack of guardianship, and the victim. We removed all those that were against election”, he added.

He also spoke about activating ‘Deterrence theory’ to stop people who were having plans. “In Ekiti, we knew about their closeness to Kogi, Kwara, etc. We used multilayered approach.”

He said election security management has changed, noting that an election in only one state attracts many outsiders who could create problems.

He said the police would follow only what the law stipulated about elections, especially on who should announce results.

In his opening remarks, the Conference Chairman, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, described citizens as the major shareholders in the country’s democracy, urging, INEC to ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair and credible.

The former NBA president also raised the question of who has the constitutional authority to declare election results, owing to the proliferation of opinion polls, election projections and unofficial results shared across traditional and digital media. security

Welcoming members and guests, Danlami Nmodu, mni, GOCOP President, stated that the conference came at a very important moment in Nigeria’s history, being the eve of the 2027 general elections.

He said: “For me, the theme of the conference represents our contribution to deepening democracy in Nigeria. As the country moves towards another general election, there is a need for trust in institutions, transparency in the electoral process and a clear understanding that responsibility for credible elections does not belong to one institution or one group alone.

“I urge our politicians to always put the people first. Policies must be fashioned to improve the welfare of the masses. Those in power and those seeking to replace them must realise that the people matter always.

“Our duty as journalists is to put the spotlight on those in government as well as the opposition. We must report facts and be fair and balanced. Credible journalism is one of the ways we can contribute to a healthy democratic process.

“I also call on government to do more to tackle insecurity, enhance peace and support economic activity. Better security will give our people greater opportunity to work, invest and improve their lives”.

In a goodwill message, Gov Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who was represented by his Commissioner of Information, Declan Emelumba, urged the media to endeavour to remain objective and stay with the facts during elections.

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The Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2026 media conference in Lagos, saying both initiatives are aimed at improving the welfare of workers and retirees.

Speaking on the president’s role, she said: “Our president is a pro-worker and pro-retiree president, and the record proves it. History will remember this as the administration that turned Nigeria’s pension promise into Nigeria’s pension reality.”

She added: “After reflecting on pension reforms from the very beginning of the system in Nigeria, the president stands out as one of the most pro-worker and pro-retiree leaders the country has had.”

On the MPG, she said it will set a baseline income for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), making sure no pensioner receives less than a stipulated minimum in retirement. She said the guarantee has been in the pension law for more than a decade but never took effect.

The DG explained that the MPG will work alongside PenCare, a programme that aims to offer free health insurance to low-income retirees aged 60 and above who earn monthly pensions of ₦150,000 or less.

She added that the pilot stage will first reach roughly 30,000 retirees, after which it will be scaled up across the country.

Oloworaran noted that the reforms show retirement security should extend beyond regular pension payouts to include healthcare access and protection against poverty in old age.

“No Nigerian should retire into poverty, and no Nigerian should retire into ill health,” she said.

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Speaking at the 2026 PenCom media conference held in Lagos, the Director General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Bridget Oloworaran, said the week is part of efforts to make retirement security a regular topic of national conversation. The event will be held yearly.

According to her, it has been designed to engage Nigerians at different stages of life across different sectors of the economy, and will also support the Commission’s advocacy work.

On the actives lined up for the five day’s activities, lashes said the “Day one is Youth Engagement Day. Pension fund administrators, pension operators and accredited pension agents will engage young people on the importance of planning for retirement early. Cash prizes and other rewards will be presented to winners of a pension literacy essay competition, whose portal opened on October 1 for secondary school students, tertiary students and National Youth Service Corps members.

“Day two is the National SME Fair, focused on entrepreneurs, business owners and the self-employed. The official said it reflects the Commission’s commitment to expanding pension coverage to all sectors of the economy.

“Day three is Senior Citizens Day, when retirees will be engaged on their benefits, issues they may not understand and what is due to them. The official said discussions will cover PenCare and the minimum pension, which will start being paid from that week. The official expressed hope that pension fund custodians are ready for the payments.

“Day four is the National Pension Summit, bringing together regulators, pension professionals, employers and other stakeholders to discuss policy innovation, service delivery, leadership, accountability and how to improve pension inclusion.

“Day five is Press Day, an opportunity to reflect on the week’s engagements and for journalists to ask questions.”

The week will have a strong digital component. Nigerians unable to attend physically can take part through live-streamed sessions, digital activities and regular programme updates.

The aim according to her is for Nigerians to better understand the pension system, appreciate the importance of early planning and recognise the opportunities available to secure their financial future.

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A statement released today by Abdullahi Maiwada, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, National Public Relations Officer, for Comptroller-General of Customs, said the operation is the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and the safe return of a trafficked animal to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.

The statement added that Bili was rescued in August 2023 by officers of the Service during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation, Calabar, for rehabilitation.

The statement explained that after a DNA test confirmed Bili is from the Republic of Congo, officials arranged his repatriation from Calabar to Lagos, then airlifted him to the Congo by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.

It reads further “ In line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, as the gorilla (Bili) is listed under Appendix I of CITES and is therefore afforded the highest level of protection as a species threatened with extinction.

“Moreover, as a signatory to CITES, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of endangered species and the responsible enforcement of international wildlife protection obligations.

“Through the SWO, the Service remains committed to strengthening its enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and to building partnerships that ensure rescued animals receive proper care and are safely returned to their appropriate destinations and natural habitats. Bili’s repatriation therefore represents the culmination of interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife.

“Furthermore, this repatriation comes amid intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trade. Between January and September 2026, the SWO and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects. The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, alongside various live endangered and protected species intercepted across different locations. Enforcement operations during the period included seizures and rescues in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna, and Lagos, among other locations.

“Notable interventions included the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as the interception of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September. The operations also led to arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, further demonstrating the Service’s sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade.

“The Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management team acknowledges the invaluable support of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Government of the Republic of Congo for welcoming Bili home, while reaffirming that the Service is not only focused on revenue generation but also on national security and the protection of the environment and urges members of the public to report any information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.”

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Building on the inaugural edition, which brought employees and communities together through activities including blood donation, environmental sanitation, market clean-ups, food and incentive donations, free eye testing, and medical care, the 2026 programme extends these efforts through another cycle of health interventions, environmental action, and employee participation, while strengthening partnerships with communities across Nigeria and beyond.

For its second edition, Leadway cares week involves environmental sanitation, clean-up initiatives, tree-planting activities, and blood donation drives across more locations in Nigeria, including Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna and Abuja, alongside cross-border participation in Côte d’Ivoire. The activities are designed to mobilise employees and partners around practical interventions that address health and environmental needs.

Speaking on the initiative, Group Chief Executive Officer, Leadway Holdings, Tunde Hassan-Odukale, highlighted the importance of sustained social investment. He said, “We believe our responsibility goes beyond business. Leadway Cares is about showing up beyond our offerings, taking consistent and deliberate action, and creating opportunities for people and communities to grow and thrive.”

Niyi Abiola, Head Corporate Services, Leadway Group, also commented on the initiative. “Leadway Cares Week allows us to move beyond conversations about social responsibility and translate our commitment through concerted action. The strength of the programme lies in bringing our people, partners and communities together to address immediate needs, while creating opportunities for employees to contribute their time, skills and resources.”

Health remains a key focus of the 2026 programme, with Leadway employees supporting efforts to improve blood availability through the blood donation drive. Environmental sustainability also receives greater attention through tree planting, environmental sanitation and coastal clean-up activities.

These interventions are designed to encourage collective responsibility towards a better future that is positive and good for all.  It also provides a practical way for employees, partners and communities to take part in meaningful ways that contribute positively to society

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The Centre has been designed to provide a conducive and contemporary environment for learning, collaboration and knowledge exchange. Equipped with modern multimedia facilities and technology-enabled infrastructure, the facility is positioned to enhance the experience of both internal and external users.

For AIICO, the investment represents an expansion of its workplace infrastructure to support the growing learning and development needs of its people.

It provides dedicated spaces for training programmes, workshops, seminars, meetings and collaborative sessions, creating an environment that encourages interaction, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Oluyemi Obakin, Chief Human Resources Officer, AIICO Insurance Plc, said the new Centre reflects the company’s approach to creating an environment where people can learn, collaborate and grow.

“Learning is most effective when people have the right environment to engage, exchange ideas and apply knowledge. The transformation of our Learning and Conference Centre gives our people a purpose-built space that supports training, collaboration and continuous development.

“Beyond the physical infrastructure, the Centre creates an ambience that encourages people to interact differently, think together and share knowledge. It gives us greater flexibility in how we deliver learning and development programmes and provides a space that is aligned with the kind of employee experience we want to create at AIICO.”

The facility also represents a strategic investment for the company, particularly in reducing the need to rely on external venues for some of its training programmes, strategy sessions and other corporate engagements.

According to Mrs. Bisola Elias, Chief Financial Officer, of the insurer, the investment provides both operational and strategic value to the organisation.

“The Centre is a strategic investment in infrastructure that serves both our people and our business. Historically, organisations often have to commit significant resources to external venues when hosting training programmes, strategy sessions, workshops and other corporate engagements. Having a facility of this standard within our own premises gives us greater flexibility and allows us to retain more of that value within the organisation.

“Importantly, we have also designed the Centre to serve beyond AIICO. Organisations, professional bodies, businesses and other groups looking for a well-equipped venue in Victoria Island can access the facility for their own conferences, exhibitions, seminars, symposiums, training programmes and other events.”

Strategically located in Victoria Island, one of Lagos’ major commercial and business districts, the Centre is positioned to respond to the growing demand for quality conference and event facilities within the Island. Its location provides convenient access for businesses, professionals and organisations operating within Victoria Island and other parts of Lagos.

The facility’s configuration and modern multimedia capabilities make it suitable for a range of engagements, from corporate meetings and executive strategy sessions to larger conferences, exhibitions, seminars, symposiums and training programmes.

The environment is designed to support presentations, hybrid engagements and other formats that require reliable audiovisual and multimedia capabilities.

By opening the facility to external users,the company  is extending the value of the investment beyond its immediate organisational needs and creating an additional platform for professional interaction, learning and knowledge exchange.

The Learning and Conference Centre adds to its broader investment in creating an environment that supports its people while contributing to the business community in which it operates.

About AIICO Insurance Plc

AIICO Insurance Plc is a leading composite insurer in Nigeria, with a 63-year record of accomplishment in delivering quality service to its clients. Founded in 1963, AIICO provides life and general insurance, health insurance, and investment management services to create and protect wealth for individuals, families and corporate customers.

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The fire, which reportedly started at about 10:23am following an electrical surge in the conference room, spread to other sections of the building.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that officers on duty made frantic efforts to contain the fire before officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at about 10:45 am

The Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Timothy Jonah, who had just resumed at the command to take over from his predecessor, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said: “I just resumed duty to take over, only to witness this fire outbreak.

“Every challenge, though negative, is an opportunity to strengthen our operations.

“In the meantime, we will set up a committee to investigate the cause of the fire.”

Jonah commended the swift response of personnel on duty and their collaboration with the fire service, saying measures would be taken to strengthen safety protocols and prevent a recurrence.

NAN

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It o‍p‍erationalises the L‍agos Declaration of Zero Tolerance f‍o‍r All Forms of SGBV and marks a shift from a largely response-centred‌ a‍pproach to⁠ a stronger institutionalised pr⁠evention strat‌egy focuse‌d on addressing root causes, harmful s‌ocial norms,⁠ pro‌tection and accountability.⁠

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DS‍VA), Mrs. Titilo‍la Vivo⁠ur-Adeniyi said the policy‍ provides a‌ structur‍ed frame‌work for making prevention a sustained and colle⁠ctive respons‍i⁠bility.

She said, “‌W‌e‌ cannot continue to focus only on‍ what⁠ happens after violence occurs. Prevention‍ requires us‍ to iden‍tify th⁠e fact‍ors that enable violence, challenge h‍armful social‌ norms‌ and strengthen the systems that protect people bef‍or⁠e harm o‌ccurs.‌ This policy‍ gives us a clear framework to‌ coo‍rdinate these efforts across sectors and communities.”

The policy is built around four in‌terco‌n‍nected p‍illars: Primary Preven‍tion through E‍ducation a‍nd Awaren‌ess; Secondary Pr‍evention thr‌ough S‍trengthened Legal and Policy⁠ Frameworks‍; Tertiary Prevention through Survivor-Centred Se‍rvices‍; and Quaternary P‍revent‍ion through Capacity Building of⁠ First Responders.

The Primary Prevention pillar focu‌ses on education,⁠ awarene‍ss and social norm t⁠ra‌nsformation, promoting consent, bodily autonom‍y and digital safety. The Secondary Pr‌evention pi‌llar streng‍thens le‍gal and institutional m‍echanisms for early inter⁠vention and a⁠ccountabi‍lity, including streamlined Standard Op‍erating Proced‍ures for⁠ law enforcement and the use of the⁠ Lag‍os State Sex Offenders R‍egister.

The Tertiary Prevention pillar promotes survivor-centred services, prioritising survi⁠vors’ rights, choices, d⁠ig⁠nity‌ and privacy while improving access to medical, legal, psychosocial and economic support.

The fourth pillar focuses on strengthening the capacity of first responders and se⁠rvi‍ce provide‌rs to prevent and res‍pond effec‌tive‌ly to SGBV.

Implementation will be overseen b‌y a multi-sector⁠al‌ Technical Working Group anchored by‍ the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in co⁠l⁠laboration with‍ rel‌evan‍t Ministries, Department‌s and A⁠ge‌ncies a‌nd civil society pa⁠rtners.‌

The framework also provides for localised data indicators, heat mapping, quarterly reviews and p‌public re‌po‍rting to monitor progress and ensure that intervention⁠s rem‍ai⁠n resp‍onsive⁠ and acc‌ountable.

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