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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has donated N100 million and a brand-new Hilux vehicle to support the Iru Ekun Security Network, a community security outfit established by Yoruba Nation advocate, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The donation was announced on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Sunday Igboho and members of the Iru Ekun Security Network to the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife.

According to a statement issued by the Ooni’s Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch described the security outfit as a timely initiative created to complement existing security efforts in protecting the lives and property of Yoruba people.

The Ooni praised Sunday Igboho for what he described as his courage, resilience and commitment to the security and welfare of the Yoruba people. He said true leadership is reflected in selfless service and meaningful contributions to society.

He also said every son and daughter of Oduduwa has a responsibility to contribute to the peace, unity and development of Yorubaland, stressing that lasting development depends on a secure environment.

The monarch said the financial support and vehicle donation reflected his commitment to initiatives that promote peace, community harmony and the protection of Yoruba communities.

“I commend Chief Sunday Igboho for taking a bold step towards strengthening community security. Protecting our people is a collective responsibility that transcends political, religious and ideological differences. Every initiative genuinely designed to preserve lives and maintain peace deserves encouragement and support,” the Ooni stated.

The Ooni also called on prominent Yoruba sons and daughters, traditional rulers, traditionalists, community leaders, business executives, professionals and other stakeholders across the world to support the Iru Ekun Security Network.

Describing Sunday Igboho as a courageous and determined patriot, the monarch said history would remember those who stood up to protect their people during critical moments.

“Our strength lies in our unity. When we speak with one voice and work together, no force can undermine the peace and progress of Yorubaland. This is the time for all lovers of Yoruba culture and heritage to unite for a common purpose,” the Ooni added.

Responding, Sunday Igboho thanked the Ooni for the financial support and encouragement given to the Iru Ekun Security Network.

He described the traditional ruler as a leader whose humility, wisdom and commitment to Yoruba unity continue to inspire millions across the world.

“The Ooni is the father of all Yoruba people worldwide. He is God’s gift to our race. His love for the Yoruba nation, humility and kindness distinguish him among traditional rulers. I have come to receive his royal blessings as we continue our mission of protecting our people,” Igboho said.

He said the visit was also intended to brief the Ooni on the activities of the Iru Ekun Security Network and seek his continued guidance, prayers and endorsement for the initiative.

Igboho further revealed plans to organise a summit that would bring together traditional rulers from across Yorubaland to discuss practical solutions to the region’s security challenges.

He said the proposed summit, subject to the Ooni’s approval and blessing, is expected to hold at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, regarded as the ancestral and spiritual headquarters of the Yoruba people.

Igboho reaffirmed the commitment of the Iru Ekun Security Network to operating within the law while working with relevant authorities and local communities to promote peace, intelligence gathering and community policing across Yorubaland.

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has handed over the Digital Industrial Park and the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), to the Enugu State Government on a 15-year operational lease agreement.

The two digital assets were officially transferred to the state government during a ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.

Speaking during the signing of the agreement, Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, said the facilities were among six digital industrial parks established across the country to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
He explained that the facilities were designed to deepen digital skills, support startups, attract investments and create jobs.
Maida said it would also position Nigeria as a competitive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and other technology-enabled services.

According to him, the infrastructure was built not merely as physical assets but as platforms for developing the people and enterprises that would drive Nigeria’s digital economy.

Maida stressed that infrastructure only delivered value when effectively utilised, noting that innovation was driven by people, ideas and entrepreneurs working in partnership.
“The success of these facilities will not be measured by the quality of the buildings or equipment, but by the skills acquired, ideas developed, businesses created and jobs generated,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the Enugu State Government had demonstrated the vision and commitment needed to maximise the facilities through investments in education, innovation, infrastructure and digital capacity.
The executive vice chairman said the partnership would support Enugu’s ambition to become a leading destination for digital services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), startup incubation, outsourcing, research and technology-enabled enterprises.
He added that the collaboration aligned with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which sought to build a $1 trillion economy driven by productivity, innovation and private sector growth.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s digital future would require collaboration among the Federal and state governments, the private sector, academia and development partners.

Responding, Gov. Peter Mbah described the handover as a historic milestone that would position Enugu as Nigeria’s leading digital economy hub through strategic investments in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and talent development.
He announced that the Digital Industrial Park would be transformed into the Enugu Talent City, a knowledge-driven outsourcing hub providing Business Process Outsourcing and Knowledge Process Outsourcing services.

According to the governor, the initiative would enable talented young people in the state to provide services to global companies without leaving Enugu.
Mbah also disclosed that the Digital Bridge Institute would be upgraded into a world-class AI Institute and an AI certification centre serving the African continent.

“We see these assets as facilities that will deepen innovation in our state, unlock opportunities, create employment and position Enugu as a leading digital economy in this country,” he said.

The governor noted that artificial intelligence was projected to contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030, stressing the need to equip Nigerian youths with relevant digital skills to compete globally.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to Mbah on SMEs and Digital Economy, Mr Arinze Chilo-Offia, said the handover would enhance growing partnership between the Enugu State Government and the NCC.

Chilo-Offia thanked the NCC leadership for entrusting the facilities to the state, describing the collaboration as a major boost to Enugu’s ambition of becoming Nigeria’s premier destination for digital innovation, technology-driven investment and high-value employment.

Also speaking, a Non-Executive Commissioner of the NCC, Mr Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, expressed confidence in the Enugu State Government’s capacity to maximise the facilities to advance Nigeria’s digital economy.

He said that both facilities were university-sized and strategically located along the Enugu-Ugwogo Expressway and the GRA Expressway.
Offiah said that they would serve as major centres for innovation, digital skills development and economic growth in the state.

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for a shift away from over-reliance on oil revenue, urging both local and foreign investors to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, energy, transportation, the blue economy, solid minerals and digital innovation.

Speaking at the close of the second day of the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, the governor said the state must broaden its economic base to achieve sustainable growth, create jobs and improve living standards.

He said discussions at the summit highlighted Delta State’s vast but largely untapped potential across several non-oil sectors, including agriculture and livestock, energy, transportation, the blue economy, solid minerals, digital innovation and investment-friendly legal reforms.

“We can no longer depend on one source of revenue. We must diversify our economy by attracting strategic investments into sectors where Delta State has a clear comparative advantage. That is the pathway to creating jobs, growing businesses and improving the quality of life of our people,” Oborevwori said.

The governor explained that the summit was designed as a private sector-led initiative, with government playing the role of facilitator by connecting investors with viable opportunities capable of delivering long-term value.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment through investor-friendly policies, infrastructure development, improved security and stronger collaboration with the private sector.

Oborevwori also disclosed that the state had acquired suitable land and taken other strategic measures to attract investments into priority sectors. He added that investment promotion missions had already been conducted in countries including China and Brazil to market Delta’s economic opportunities.

According to him, the summit has gone beyond policy discussions to become a practical platform for linking investors with viable projects and converting investment interests into real business ventures.

He expressed confidence that the partnerships and commitments made during the summit would translate into concrete investments capable of driving industrial growth, generating employment and positioning Delta among Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.

During the technical sessions, resource persons identified agriculture, livestock development, mining, the blue economy and investment-friendly legal reforms as key sectors with strong potential to attract long-term investments.

Speaking at the agriculture, agribusiness and agro-industry panel, former South-South Vice President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Chief Eta Enahoro, urged the state government to invest more in fish and poultry production, describing both industries as major drivers of job creation and economic transformation.

He said that with the right support, many young people seeking political appointments could become successful entrepreneurs through commercial poultry and fish farming.

Brazilian agribusiness investor Roberto Fonseca announced plans to collaborate with the Delta State Government on an integrated cattle and beef value chain covering breeding, ranching, abattoirs, meat processing, cold storage, refrigerated logistics and distribution.

Fonseca said Delta’s climate and environmental conditions closely resemble those that helped Brazil become a global leader in cattle and beef production, adding that the partnership could position the state as a major livestock hub for Nigeria and neighbouring African countries.

At the session on the blue economy and transport infrastructure, Dr. Uche Igwe called on the state government to tackle illegal and unregulated fishing in order to maximise the economic potential of its waterways.

Managing Director of Mosra Energy, Ramos Olukayode, disclosed that Delta State has more than 200 million tonnes of coal deposits in Obomkpa, Ugbodu and Ukunzu, which he said exceed the reserves found in Enugu and Kogi states.

He described the deposits as a significant resource that could support industrial expansion and revealed plans to establish a 600-megawatt power plant in Obomkpa, noting that more than 200 hectares of land had already been secured for the project.

Olukayode added that the area also has substantial deposits of kaolin and clay that could support manufacturing activities within the proposed industrial cluster.