The wanted former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has revealed why surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC after a prolonged snubbed of the anti-graft’s invitation to answer for alleged financial impropriety allegations of N80.2 billion levelled against his government.

A statement on Wednesday by Yahaya Bello’s Media office Director, Ohiare Michael, made available to newsmen stated that Bello ‘willingly” surrendered to the anti-graft agency because the former Kogi governor has great respect for the rule of law and supports President Tinubu’s fight against corruption in the country.”

He said, “This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.

“The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.

“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country.

“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State,” the statement reads in part.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has earned the commendation of the World Bank for the transformation recorded in the State over the last five years.

The multilateral institution said the State had not only been implementing programmes targeted at improving the quality of life for residents, but had also progressed in upgrading infrastructure to improve the socio-economic situation in the State.

The commendation came from the Bank’s Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Ndiama Diop, who led the institution’s top executive team on a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the State House in Marina, on Tuesday.

Diop particularly acknowledged the reforms being implemented by the Sanwo-Olu administration in the transportation sector, which has expanded multimodal transportation capability in Lagos. He said the delivery of intracity rail infrastructure and investment in waterways had positioned the State’s economy to be better than before.

He said: “I want to commend and congratulate the Lagos State Government under your leadership for the successful efforts and vision in transforming the transportation landscape of Lagos, which has been the model for a modern city.

“The administration’s successes across various sectors are visible and they have been strategic moves in catalysing more socio-economic development and growth of the private sector. The quality of infrastructure has also improved people’s lives significantly. These are commendable achievements and we can visibly appreciate the impacts of the great efforts.”

The World Bank chief pitched collaboration with the State Government in areas where the State had been experiencing gaps, pledging funding support to improve operational efficiency.

Responding, Sanwo-Olu welcomed partnership with the multilateral institution, noting that Lagos required strategic support to boost capacity in the transportation sector.

The Governor said the State had invested heavily in providing modern transportation infrastructure, but said the Government had started to move towards service that would reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

He said: “Our vision has been driven by the desire to create sustainable economic prosperity for Lagos. Through our clearly articulated development blueprint, known as THEMES+ agenda, we have been able to intervene in all aspects of governance, especially the public transportation, with the intention to move people in predictable time.”

Sanwo-Olu called for the World Bank’s collaboration in waste-to-energy and conservation drive being championed by the Government. He also wanted partnership with the Bank on job creation and skill development, stressing that rapid urbanisation had been putting pressure on the infrastructure and economic system of the State.

After a brief stay in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Bola Tinubu has arrived Beijing, China for his scheduled official visit.

Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, announced this on his X handle on Sunday morning.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives in Beijing for his Official State Visit to China. He will meet with President Xi Jinping and will hold meetings with Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation,” Dada posted.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state,who is also a part of the contingent,also wrote,'I am in Beijing, China, attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation alongside HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NGF Chairman Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq and Hon. Minister of Finance Wale Edun.

Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said, the President is expected to engage in a series of meetings and “activities with immediate and future benefit to the Nigerian economy and the people.”

He said President Tinubu would meet with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, where several MOUs will be signed on deepening cooperation, “green economy, agriculture, satellite technology development, media enterprise development and promotion, as well as blue Economic Development and National Planning Cooperation”.

“This is going to be part of a broader engagement where the two heads of state will discuss matters of mutual interest across, not just the economy, but also on issues of national, regional and international security,” he said.

Ngelale noted that President Tinubu would also join the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, where several African heads of state will be present to engage with Chinese leaders on various important matters.

Just as when many were asking about the whereabout of Presdent Bola Tinubu,since he addressed the community of Nigerians in China on September 5.The President appeared in London, on Wednesday,to a warm welcome for a private meeting with His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

This will be the two leaders’ first meeting since they met in Dubai at the COP 28 Climate Summit last year.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the latest meeting was at the King’s request.

“Both leaders discussed global and regional matters of shared priority, focusing on the urgent and complex challenge of climate change.”

“President Tinubu and His Majesty also explored opportunities for collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming COP 29 Summit in Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.”

“President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to addressing climate change in a manner that aligns with the country’s energy security objectives whilst affirming Nigeria’s readiness to adopt global strategies for sustainability.

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China, announcing the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

According to a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, the

leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.

The statement said this was the outcome of talks between the two leaders during President Tinubu’s official visit to China.

It said the President Tinubu’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to hold from September 4-6, 2024.

'This is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, as I arrive in my capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS. I thank you for the high-level of honour accorded to us.'

”Relations between China and Nigeria have indeed lasted for over half a century and should be further strengthened to advance our trade and economic development programmes.

”Nigeria holds great potential as the country with the largest population in Africa and is the biggest economy with a very young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programmes.

”We have upgraded the relationship to more than what is just strategic — but a comprehensive developmental partnership.

”This comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region. This is very crucial,” President Tinubu said.

On economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu told his Chinese counterpart that his administration remains committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms.

”We believe that President Xi has demonstrably reformed the Chinese economy, and our reform programme in Nigeria is on a similar course. I am a reformer with verifiable antecedents.

”We have recognized the need to reform our economy, and we are doing so diligently across tax and tariff reviews, to various other segments of our nation’s economy.

”Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out,” the President stated.

In his remarks, President Xi noted the strong mutual understanding between Nigeria and China since the establishment of diplomatic ties over the past 50 years.

”We have found the path of seeking collective strength, through unity, and win-win cooperation.

”China and Nigeria, as major developing countries, strengthening strategic coordination, will inject fresh impetus to China-Africa relations in the new era and spearhead common progress among Global South countries,” President Xi said.

According to the Chinese leader, the 2024 FOCAC Summit provides an opportunity to reflect on mutual friendships and advance the consolidation of China-Africa relations.

He pledged that China and Nigeria would continue to work closely within the FOCAC framework as a model of cooperation between nations.

During the meeting, both presidents witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on various areas of mutual interest: Cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative; Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the peaceful application of Nuclear Energy; Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation on Human Resource Development under the Global Development Initiative; Memorandum of Understanding on Media Exchange and Cooperation; Memorandum of Understanding between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.

The statement informed that earlier, on Monday in Beijing, President Tinubu visited the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), during which he acknowledged the company’s role as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme, commending its ongoing railway projects in the country.

”It is equally very important that we give assurances to the Nigerian people across our local communities that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments will be completed and done to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large.

”We will support your investment in solid minerals and other ventures in Nigeria. I am here to assure you that Nigeria is ready to do business with you,” the President said during a meeting with the Chairman of CRCC, Mr. Dai Hegen, following a tour of the CRCC and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) office in Beijing.

Mr. Hegen informed the President that CRCC has been involved in Nigeria for 43 years, implementing over 300 projects and training over 100,000 local workers.

”The Abuja-Kaduna Railway and Lagos-Ibadan Railway have transported approximately 9 million passengers and 180 tonnes of cargo. The Lagos blue line has transported over 1.6 million passengers,” he said.

In a separate engagement, President Tinubu visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities.

During the President’s meeting with Huawei’s leadership, led by Mr. Liang Hua, Chairman of the Board of Directors, the company said the initiative would operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year.

Acknowledging the ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to train 3 million technical talents (3MTT) and equip the country’s young population with the skills necessary for present and future economic opportunities, Huawei’s leadership said the DigiTruck initiative will complement the programme.

Mr. Hua praised the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for identifying digital technology as a critical driver of economic growth.

“This is very encouraging for us. Huawei is fully prepared to offer its ICT expertise and become a reliable partner of the Nigerian government to support the country in achieving its policy objectives and furthering its digital, intelligent, and low-carbon development.”

Also speaking, Mr. Chris Lu, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Nigeria, expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), an initiative that seeks to position Nigeria as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa.

“In the future, we hope to continuously develop the NOC and expand its capacity so that it can meet the requirements of more African markets, thus facilitating more Nigerian technology talents in serving more overseas’ markets and helping to achieve the goal of NATEP,” Mr. Lu said

During the tour of the Huawei Research Centre’s exhibition hall, President Tinubu and his delegation were introduced to Huawei’s latest innovations in e-government, smart education, smart grid, and solar power, demonstrating their potential to enhance public services, digital governance, and Nigeria’s inclusive development agenda.

As part of the efforts to achieve the aforementioned goals, Huawei also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Fellows in the pioneer cohort of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) had an exciting departure on Wednesday, reminiscing about their journey in driving positive change in their communities through the one-year fellowship.

The 29 fellows graduated from the leadership programme initiated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to train and raise a new generation of leaders that would deploy practical skills and leadership to solve identified challenges across areas of needs.

The graduands bowed out of the academy, equipped with governance knowledge and empowered to take up new responsibilities that would impact their careers and communities.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu personally presented certificates of completion to the fellows at a ceremony held at Marcellina’s Place in Ikeja GRA, which was attended by members of the State’s Executive Council, government functionaries and executives in the private sector.

The graduation followed a final mentoring session and a dinner earlier held with the Governor at the State House in Marina on Tuesday evening.

The fellows had a direct mentoring with Sanwo-Olu, who appointed them as  Special Assistants in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to identify gaps in their areas of responsibility.

Sanwo-Olu described the passing-out ceremony as “a significant milestone” in leadership development in Lagos and the country, stressing that the achievement testified to the enduring legacy of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, first civilian Governor of Lagos in whose honour and memory the academy was established.

The Governor said the fellowship was conceived to nurture the next generation of leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the public sector and lay ethical foundations necessary to drive positive change.

He said: “Over the past one year, I have closely followed the journey of these fellows, and I must say their transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. They have embraced the rigorous and diverse curriculum of the Academy, which seamlessly blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

“Through their engagement in thought-provoking workshops, innovative problem-solving sessions, and mentorship from global leaders and industry experts, these young men and women have not just learned, they have thrived, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, creativity, and integrity.”

Sanwo-Olu told the fellows that their graduation from the academy was the beginning of a lifelong leadership journey, urging them to show courage and determination as they take on new challenges.

The Governor shared his excitement on the inaugural graduation in the academy, pointing out that the objectives of the fellowship were being realised given the impacts recorded by the inaugural fellows.

He said: “The beginning of this programme was very rough and we encountered challenges that made me questioned myself if we made the right decision. I am grateful that the fellowship has been on the right track and has achieved beyond what we imagined. The project has been driven by sincerity of purpose and I appreciate the trust which the fellows placed in me.

“Fellows, as you step out into the world, you carry with you not only the knowledge and skills you have acquired but also the hopes and aspirations of countless others who believe in your potential. You are the torchbearers of a new era of leadership, one that will define the future of Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, and the world.”

LJLA Executive Secretary, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, thanked the Governor for his commitment and support for the programme, which, she said, had been driving social change and community service in Lagos and beyond.

She said the Leadership Academy had gone beyond being a fellowship programme, noting that the platform had become a beacon of hope and opportunity for future generations of leaders, dedicated to shaping a future where leadership would be synonymous with service, compassion and progress.

Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, told the fellows that the fellowship had equipped them with valuable knowledge and experience to explore new opportunities.

He said: “You cannot lead people to where you have been; as leaders, you can only lead effectively when you lead people to where you have not been. From now on, you would have to be identified by your impacts in the society. This is a challenge you must never fail.”

In his remarks, Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, said Lagos got to an important moment on the day the initiative was launched, describing the fellowship as “a game changer” in raising future leaders and policy makers.

The monarch urged the State Government to engage the fellows, saying: “The knowledge and experience the fellows have gathered must not be allowed to waste.”

Speaking on behalf of the fellows, Bashirat Shodipo, noted that the journey started on an uncertain step, but added that their collective passion and understanding of their differences enhanced their teamwork capability to overcome the challenges.

The fellows thanked Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the opportunity and the investment in their future, saying posterity would be kind to the Governor for instituting the fellowship.

The debate between US Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President, Donald Trump, on Tuesday, started with a handshake and ended with the candidates painting one another as awful leaders who should not be elected.

Moderated by ABC News, the debate took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lasted one hour and 45 minutes.

The two political heavyweights clashed on key issues ranging from abortion rights to immigration, as both candidates sought to sway voters in a tightly contested race.

Harris adopted a strategy aimed at baiting Trump, while Trump repeatedly returned to conspiracy theories and false claims.

Harris and Trump traded barbs  in a debate that was light on substantive policy and heavy on personal attacks.

Trump tried to portray Harris as a far-left candidate who would pursue open-border policies, ban fracking and confiscate people’s guns. He also pushed to link her to President Joe Biden, painting them as fundamentally the same type of politician.Harris responded by questioning Trump’s fitness for office and calling him a “disgrace”. She also attempted to dismiss the former president as an object of ridicule. At several points, she appeared to be suppressing her laughter as Trump spoke.

Even pundits on conservative channels like Fox News observed that Harris seemed to leave Trump rattled. And in the minutes following the debate, pop star Taylor Swift offered Harris her endorsement.

Here are a few takeaways from the debate — the first meeting of the two candidates.

Trump rambles, repeatedly invokes immigration

Trump’s rhetoric throughout the debate zigzagged across an array of topics, rarely sticking with the subject matter presented in the moderators’ questions.

One moment Trump would be talking about the economy, and the next, he would be talking about pipelines.

In one breath, he would talk about healthcare. In the next, he would bring up immigration. Then he would talk about something else, then immigration again.

Trump struggled to stay on message throughout the debate. His answers lacked focus, and he appeared more concerned with landing blows against Harris.

Again and again, he boomeranged back to immigration, hoping to score points by invoking Harris’s record on the issue. At several points, he also promoted the falsehood that Haitian migrants and refugees in Springfield, Ohio, are eating people’s pets.

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” he said.

City officials have dismissed these accounts as untrue.

Still, Trump has always been known for his rambling speaking style, so it is not certain that voters will view him more negatively after Tuesday’s debate performance.

Harris sharpens attacks on Trump

Harris, meanwhile, launched pointed barbs at Trump and appeared to get under his skin, calling him a “disgrace” on several occasions.

The vice president also highlighted the Republicans and former aides who turned against Trump after he won office in 2016.

Borrowing a leaf from Trump’s playbook, Harris called the Republican candidate “weak” as well. She repurposed the Trumpian accusation that the world would laugh at US leadership and directed it back at the former president.

It is “absolutely well-known that these dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again”, Harris told Trump

She added that it is “so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favours, and so many military leaders who you have worked with have told me you are a disgrace”.

Both Republican and Democratic administrations, however, have maintained close ties to autocratic governments and leaders across the world.

Trump paints Harris as far left, distorting her record

In his rebuttals, the former president pushed to portray Harris as more left-wing than she actually is. He even called her a “Marxist”.

“She has a plan to confiscate everybody’s gun,” said Trump, in another exaggeration.

Harris responded that she and her vice presidential pick Tim Walz are, in fact, gun owners.

Trump also accused Harris of planning to defund the police.

As a senator in 2020, Harris voiced support for efforts to reexamine the budgets of police departments, but she has not called for defunding the police. The Biden administration has also backed increasing the number of police officers nationwide.

On healthcare, Trump said Harris “wants everybody to be on government insurance”. While Harris previously voiced support for universal, government-funded healthcare, she changed her position while running for president in 2020.

Trump’s charges at the debate fit into his larger campaign strategy of arguing that Harris is a far-left “radical” Democrat. That strategy, experts say, is designed to dissuade independent voters from backing her.

Candidates repeat familiar lines on Gaza

When asked about the war in Gaza, both candidates reached for their usual talking points.

Harris said she backs a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would see the release of Israeli captives, but she renewed her pledge to continue to arm Israel. She also voiced support for the two-state solution.

“Israel has a right to defend itself… and how it does so matters, because it is also true far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed — children, mothers. What we know is that this war must end,” she said.

“I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself, in particular, as it relates to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies pose to Israel.”

The language she used echoes previous statements she and other Democratic officials have made, including at August’s Democratic National Convention.

For his part, Trump reiterated his position that the war in the Middle East would not have broken out if he were in office. He also accused Harris of having a bias against Israel.

“She hates Israel. At the same time, in her own way, she hates the Arab population because the whole place is going to get blown up — Arabs, Jewish people, Israel. Israel will be gone,” he said.

In addition, Trump falsely asserted that the Biden administration lifted US sanctions against Iran.

Candidates express differing views on Ukraine

More than two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, support for the war has become a dividing line between the two major political parties in the US.

Many Republicans are wary of offering more aid, while Democrats largely support bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

That division was visible on Tuesday’s debate stage. On the subject of Ukraine, the two candidates did not appear to be on the same page.

While Trump said he would push for a deal to end the conflict, Harris stressed the need to support Ukrainian forces to push back against the Russian invasion.

Asked whether the US should continue its push for Ukraine to win the war, Trump said: “I think it’s in the US’s best interest to get this war finished and just get it done and negotiate a deal because we have to stop all of these human lives from being destroyed.”

Trump argued that the lack of leadership in the Biden administration allowed Russia to invade Ukraine.

 Harris slammed the former president’s reluctance to pledge full-fledged support for Ukraine, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be in Kyiv by now if Trump were in office.

“Understand, our European allies — NATO allies — are so thankful that you are no longer president and that we understand the importance of the greatest military the world has known, which is NATO,” she said.

“The reason that Donald Trump says that this war would be over within 24 hours is because he would just give it up.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Vice President Kashim Shettima on his 58th birthday, describing him as a reliable, competent, loyal and trusted partner to President Bola Tinubu in the Renewed Hope agenda. 

The Governor also described Vice President Shettima as a visionary and passionate leader who has distinguished himself in both private and public office. 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Vice President Shettima is a committed and selfless public servant whose vision aligns well with that of President Tinubu on how to take Nigeria out of the current state to a place of economic stability, social development and political stability.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Vice President Shettima has, over the  years, displayed pragmatic leadership  in different areas at the state and national levels, in the private and public sectors.

He said: "On behalf of my family, the government, and the entire people of Lagos State, as well as leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I congratulate Vice President Kashim Shettima on his 58th birthday.

“On this occasion of his 58th birthday, I wish Vice President Kashim Shettima good health and wisdom as he continues to render more service to our dear country, Nigeria."