Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Asiwaju of Ijebuland, Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, on his 80th birthday, commending the industrialist for his significant contributions to national development.

In a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Adegunwa as a longtime friend, seasoned businessman, and philanthropist whose work has impacted people and institutions across Nigeria.

“As he clocks 80, we celebrate a remarkable Nigerian whose investments in key sectors continue to drive economic growth, create employment, and improve livelihoods,” the President said.

Adegunwa, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Essay Holdings Limited, the parent company of Rite Foods Limited. The company operates a modern food and beverage production facility in Ososa, Ogun State.

Tinubu praised Adegunwa’s leadership and philanthropic efforts, highlighting his role in building enterprises that promote both economic development and community well-being.

He prayed for Adegunwa’s continued good health and long life as family, friends, and associates gather to celebrate the milestone.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

The appointment was announced on Friday, April 4, 2025, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Sotinrin, a seasoned finance and agribusiness professional, previously served as Group Chief Executive Officer at SAO Group. According to the Presidency, his tenure at SAO Agro was marked by major agricultural ventures, including the development of a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava projects in Ondo State.

He also led SAO Capital, where he facilitated over $750 million in infrastructure and development financing, notably securing $200 million for the Akure Water Supply Project.

In the public sector, Sotinrin served as Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory from 2011 to 2015. He has also consulted for international development organisations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, DFID, and USAID.

His private sector experience includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.

Sotinrin holds an Executive MBA from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, a Master’s degree in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick, and an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation.

The Presidency said the appointment aligns with President Tinubu’s efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector, noting that Sotinrin’s expertise in mobilising capital and driving agribusiness innovation would support the BOA’s mandate for food security and rural development.

A prominent law firm, Crownfield Solicitors, has called for the removal of President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing alleged democratic violations in Rivers State.

In a letter addressed to the regional bloc, the firm accused Tinubu of imposing a “pseudo-military rule” in the state. The letter, signed by Chief Festus Ogwuche in collaboration with the Campaign for Social Justice and Constitutional Democracy in Africa, alleged that Tinubu’s actions violated regional treaties and threatened democracy in West Africa.

The firm claimed that Tinubu, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, suspended democratic institutions in Rivers State and installed a “neo-junta regime.” It argued that these actions contravened key international agreements, including:

• Article 4(g) of the ECOWAS Treaty, which mandates the promotion of democracy and human rights.
• Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens’ right to participate in governance.
• The ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), which requires member states to uphold democratic principles.

Crownfield Solicitors warned that Tinubu’s actions set a dangerous precedent that could encourage authoritarian rule in other ECOWAS nations. The firm stated that such developments undermine progress in stabilizing West Africa, particularly amid recent military coups in the region.

“These actions diminish ECOWAS’s credibility and its commitment to democratic governance,” the letter read in part. “If unchecked, they will embolden further violations across West Africa.”

The firm demanded:

• Tinubu’s removal as ECOWAS Chairman for failing to uphold the organization’s principles.
• The restoration of democratic institutions in Rivers State.
• Intervention by ECOWAS leaders to prevent further erosion of democracy.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Nigerian government, the ECOWAS Commission, Parliament, and Court of Justice.

The call for Tinubu’s removal follows his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, citing a protracted political crisis and vandalization of oil facilities. The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

Six months after its establishment, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development remains without a digital footprint, failing to engage journalists on its activities and raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The ministry, inaugurated following President Bola Tinubu’s creation of the presidential committee on livestock reforms, has repeatedly declined requests from media representatives to provide updates on its initiatives.

Journalists covering the ministry’s affairs lament the absence of press engagements, citing a communication strategy that relies solely on press statements without opportunities for direct interaction.
Journalists assigned to cover the ministry have expressed frustration over its reluctance to provide access to information. Despite repeated appeals to the ministry’s communications directorate, led by Ben Bem Goong, no significant change has occurred.

“So many press releases, don’t the ministry invite journalists for these meetings?” one reporter questioned. “This looks more like just dumping press releases on journalists.”

Another journalist criticized the approach, stating, “They are gradually turning us into press statement journalists. This is tele-guided journalism.”

A journalist from a national publication expressed concerns about the impact on accountability:

“It’s obvious they’re not interested in journalists witnessing their events. How do you report what you don’t see? How are you able to hold them accountable when there is no access?”

Despite these concerns, the ministry has not altered its approach. Even direct attempts to reach officials for clarifications have reportedly been ignored.

In response to mounting complaints, a ministry official, Kevwe Uchechukwu, acknowledged journalists’ frustrations but stopped short of providing a concrete resolution.

“We understand your concerns and sincerely acknowledge the frustrations regarding event coverage. Please know that we value your support and are working towards ensuring better collaboration in the near future,” Uchechukwu stated.

“As has been explained repeatedly, the issues at hand are multifaceted, ranging from inadequate office space to access to funding, but we are actively working to address them,” she added.

However, the official offered no timeline for when journalists would gain meaningful access to ministry activities, and no explanation was given for the lack of an official digital presence.

In an age where digital presence is crucial for accessibility and accountability, the ministry’s absence from online platforms remains a glaring omission.

Several checks confirm that FMLD is the only federal ministry in Nigeria without a website or official social media handles, making it nearly impossible for stakeholders to track its activities.

A government directive issued in December 2017 mandated all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to maintain functional websites to enhance transparency and facilitate access to information.

The directive, in line with the Ease of Doing Business initiative, warned against poor information accessibility, emphasizing the importance of open government partnerships and digital engagement.

Despite this directive, FMLD has made no visible effort to comply.
When contacted for comments on the issue, the Director of Corporate Communications at the Ministry Ben Bem Goong did not respond to the issue. No response to messages and calls.

The failure of the livestock ministry to establish a digital presence has sparked concerns among analysts and stakeholders. Many argue that a functional website is not just an administrative tool but a necessity for transparency and public engagement.

The absence of a digital platform is particularly concerning given the ministry’s mandate. With its focus on modernizing livestock production, promoting investment, and enhancing agricultural productivity, an official website would serve as a vital hub for disseminating information, engaging investors, and addressing public concerns.

The federal government has repeatedly emphasized the need for digital transformation within its agencies. In October 2023, the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy announced an e-government initiative designed to drive transparency and improve service delivery across MDAs. The initiative prioritizes open data, connected governance, and citizen engagement.

Additionally, the federal government has committed to fully digitizing the civil service by 2025, reinforcing the importance of digital accessibility.

Yet, the livestock ministry remains an outlier, failing to align with this broader digital strategy.
With Nigeria’s livestock sector facing significant challenges—including conflicts between farmers and herders, the need for better disease control, and opportunities for export—the lack of an official information hub for the ministry raises serious concerns.

Without a website or open communication channels, stakeholders are left in the dark, unable to access key policy updates, project reports, or investment opportunities.