Toyosi Adesanya, the Nollywood actress, is finally a
mother.

In a post shared on Saturday by Biola Adebayo, a
close colleague and friend, Adesanya welcomed her first child through a
surrogate mother.

Announcing the birth, Adebayo revealed that she has been
named the child’s godmother.

Adesanya first opened up about
her infertility struggle in 2024 when she recounted undergoing a laparoscopy
and two failed IVF attempts in 2009 and 2011.

She narrated that she sold her valuables to afford the
procedures, which cost N900,000–N1 million at the time.

The actress then added that she lost three other pregnancies
due to various medical issues.

“I got married in 2007, and I was already pregnant during
our wedding ceremony,” she said.

“Two months after we travelled back to Akure, where my
husband stays, I saw blood in my dream and also when I woke up. I told my
husband (now ex), and he said I might have lost the pregnancy due to stress.

“Meanwhile, I have not gone to any location; the one I had
to go to was still in December 2007, and I already lost the pregnancy in
September 2007.

“In 2008, Fathia Balogun encouraged me to try for pregnancy
again and introduced me to a woman.

“I went to the woman, she gave me some herbal medications,
and I got pregnant again. After a while, I lost the pregnancy.”

Adesanya started her acting career in the Yoruba film
industry over thirty years ago.

She has starred in films like ‘Alagogo Ide’, ‘Oru’, ‘Iwo’
and ‘Adeda’. She has also been recognised for her talent.

Aprokorepublic

The two remaining cocoa farmers abducted during a visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan on Saturday have been rescued.

Reports indicated that the victims were freed following a coordinated operation by security agencies, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to four.

Earlier, police authorities had secured the freedom of two of the victims and apprehended three individuals suspected to be connected to the abduction within 24 hours of the incident.

Sources also revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of N100 million before the victims were freed.

In a telephone interview, the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, confirmed that all the abducted farmers have now regained their freedom.

He explained that the successful rescue was the result of coordinated efforts among multiple security agencies, including the Police, the Directorate of State Services (DSS), the Western Security Network codenamed Amotekun, and local vigilante groups in Oluyole.

Olatunji further stated that the rescue team has since handed the victims over to the police.

He noted that the operation was coordinated by the Security Adviser to the Oyo State Governor, retired Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni.

The council chairman expressed appreciation to the security operatives for their “concerted efforts” and reassured residents of his commitment to continued collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.

Aprokorepublic

The National Youth Service Corps has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a female corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, confirming that a staff member is under investigation in connection with the incident.

In a statement on Saturday signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the Scheme said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of a Corps Member… under circumstances that are currently being investigated.”

The deceased, identified as Victoria Ariyo, was serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Her death is currently being probed by the Ogun State Police Command.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for the peaceful repose of her soul,” the NYSC said. It added that “the matter is currently under investigation by relevant security agencies, and the individual concerned has been taken into custody,” the scheme said.

It was earlier reported that Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the investigation, stating, “I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.”

Sources familiar with the case alleged that Ariyo died from complications arising from an abortion procedure. It was further gathered that an NYSC official, reportedly in a romantic relationship with the deceased, had been taken into custody, although authorities have yet to officially confirm the circumstances surrounding her death.

Reaffirming its stance, the NYSC said it “maintains a strict code of conduct for its staff and Corps Members and will not condone any act of misconduct or abuse of office,” adding that it is “cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure that the truth is established and that justice is served.”

The Scheme also urged restraint, noting that “while investigations are ongoing, we urge the public to refrain from speculations and allow due process to take its course,” while reiterating that “the welfare, safety, and dignity of our Corps Members remain paramount.”

The incident comes amid growing concern following the recent death of another corps member, Adeleye Mary, who was also serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. She was reportedly found lifeless in her residence near her place of primary assignment, with the cause of her death still unknown.

Both deceased corps members were said to be friends, raising unease among colleagues and residents, especially as Ariyo’s remains were reportedly buried at Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape-Sagamu Road. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing.

Aprokorepublic

A police inspector, Otor Ejiga, attached to the Mega IDP Camp situated along Gbajimba Road in Makurdi, Benue State, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen on Thursday evening.

The officer was reportedly attacked while operating an unauthorised solitary checkpoint close to the camp.

Following the incident, the assailants allegedly fled the scene with his Type O6 rifle.

A responding patrol team later recovered his remains and moved them to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary for an autopsy.

Sources indicated that security agencies have commenced a manhunt to apprehend those responsible and retrieve the stolen firearm.

It is also gathered that a full-scale investigation has been initiated, while the officer in charge has been queried over suspected supervisory negligence.

Aprokorepublic

Two people have died following a collision between a
fuel-laden tanker and a tipper truck on the Lekki–Epe Expressway, Sangotedo
area of Lagos state.

In a statement on Saturday, Margaret Adeseye,
controller-general of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the
accident occurred in the early hours of the day, prompting officers to rush to
the scene.

“It was reported that a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck from
the Epe end rammed into a stationary 30-tonne gas tanker that failed to pull
over from the highway,” the statement reads.

Adeseye said the collision sparked a fire that spread to
three warehouses and 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house,
before it was eventually brought under control.

She added that a Total petrol filling station, fully loaded
with a 33,000-litre PMS tanker, narrowly escaped a major explosion.

“After the blaze was extinguished, three Sienna buses, one
Toyota Corolla, and a forklift parked within the affected area were recovered.
Tragically, the tipper truck driver and his assistant, both adult males, were
burnt beyond recognition, while the gas tanker driver escaped unhurt,” Adeseye
said.

The agency said that efforts are ongoing to remove the
remains of both trucks from the highway, though normal traffic has largely
resumed at the scene.

Aprokorepublic

Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), says recent monetary and financial sector reforms have strengthened
Nigeria’s ability to withstand external shocks and restored investor
confidence.

In a statement on Wednesday, CBN said Cardoso spoke on
Tuesday at the Africa Capital Forum in London, held on the sidelines of Bola
Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.

The forum, themed “From Stabilisation to Capital
Mobilisation,” was jointly hosted by the CBN and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office (FCDO).

He said the apex bank has “created stronger capacity to
withstand shocks” through policy tightening and institutional reforms.

The CBN governor said the foreign exchange (FX) market now
operates with improved transparency and liquidity following recent reforms.

According to Cardoso, a new FX manual has removed several
capital control measures and simplified trade and investment processes.

Cardoso added that the bank has finalised a new payments
system vision aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s position in digital and
cross-border payments.

On the banking sector, the apex bank chief said more than 30
banks have met the new capital requirements, while verification is ongoing for
others.

“About 28 percent of investment in the recapitalisation came
from foreign sources,” he said.

Cardoso added that the development reflects renewed
confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

The governor also noted that diaspora remittances have
increased, contributing to the diversification of the country’s foreign
exchange inflows.

He said inflation has moderated while exchange rate
stability has improved following recent policy measures.

“We will continue to maintain stability, not only on
inflation, but in the FX market, with more transparency and consistent
reporting,” he said.

The CBN governor added that the apex bank will remain
vigilant in managing inflation.

“Our focus going forward is to protect the hard-earned
stability we have accomplished so investors and stakeholders can plan with
confidence,” he said.

Cardoso also emphasised the need for coordination between
monetary and fiscal authorities to sustain economic growth.

He said the inclusion of fiscal authorities in the bank’s
board and monetary policy committee strengthens policy alignment.

The apex bank chief also said the CBN is working with
financial technology firms to address regulatory bottlenecks and support
innovation in digital finance.

He added that ongoing reforms have shifted Nigeria from a
phase of stabilisation to capital mobilisation, positioning the economy for
growth, driven by domestic investment and improved global confidence.

Also at the event, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, CBN deputy
governor for economic policy, said the apex bank has achieved a significant
level of macroeconomic stability.

“We have seen stability. Net and gross reserves are high,
foreign reserves are over $50 billion, the foreign exchange market has
stabilised, and inflation is falling , but we are cautious,” Abdullahi said.

Philip Ikeazor, CBN deputy governor for financial system
stability, said the reforms are designed to endure beyond the current
administration.

“All the reforms that have been put in place cut across
stakeholders, ensuring that even at the end of this administration, people will
see the need not to reverse them,” Ikeazor said.

‘NIGERIA’S NEXT REFORMS SHOULD FOCUS ON TRANSLATING INTEREST
TO CAPITAL FLOWS’

Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria,
said the next phase of reforms should focus on translating renewed investor
interest into tangible capital inflows.

“The next phase of the reforms should be converting renewed
investor interest into long-term sustainable investments,” Baxter said.

He added that the UK remains a key partner in Nigeria’s
banking and capital markets.

Odile Renaud-Basso, president of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), also highlighted Nigeria’s economic
potential.

“We see all the potential in the economic stabilisation in
Nigeria, the growth of the population, the appetite, the investment in new
technologies, and the ability of the people to embrace new technologies,” she
said.

On his part, Steve Gray, head of West and Central Africa at
UK Export Finance (UKEF), emphasised the role of transparency in sustaining
investor confidence.

“Confidence is built through full fiscal transparency. But
the reforms in Nigeria are providing transparency and building confidence,”
Gray said.

Melis Ekmen Tabojer, managing director for policy strategy
and delivery at the EBRD, said the reforms are already influencing investor
behaviour.

“The recent reforms that Nigeria has had have had a huge
impact in attracting investors and how policies are made,” she noted.

Speaking on behalf of the federal government, Sanyade Okoli,
special adviser to the president on finance and the economy, said Nigeria is
now focused on attracting long-term capital to drive growth.

“We need to work with partners who will bring the sticky,
equity capital,” she said, noting that the government alone cannot fund the
country’s growth ambitions.

Banking sector leaders, including chief executives of major
Nigerian lenders, also backed the reforms, saying they have improved confidence
and strengthened the capacity of banks to finance projects.

Aprokorepublic

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has announced
plans to contest for a Senate seat in 2027, reversing an earlier position where
he vowed on national television not to seek any elective office after
completing his tenure.

The governor, who is serving his second and final term, is
now set to vie for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat in the next general
elections.

Sule had previously ruled out any future political ambition
during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television in January 2024.

“I came in only to be a governor. I have no intention to run
for the office of a senator. You can keep this tape and play it one day,” he
had said at the time.

However, in a recent development, his Special Assistant on
Social Media, Ango Ngharni Emmanuel, disclosed in a Facebook post that the
governor has now decided to enter the race.

According to the aide, Sule “has accepted the clarion call
to contest” for the legislative position, following mounting pressure from
political stakeholders and supporters within the ruling party.

Sources indicate that the push for his candidacy has largely
come from loyalists, appointees, and beneficiaries of his administration who
are urging him to represent the district at the National Assembly.

Born on December 26, 1959, Sule was first elected governor
in 2019, succeeding former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who is widely
credited for his role in shaping the state’s modern political landscape with
the nickname, “the Architect of Modern Nasarawa.”

Aprokorepublic

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Asset Green Limited to develop an
integrated dairy production platform in the West African nation.

Asset Green Ltd is a UK‑based private investment group,
focused on large‑scale, commercially viable agricultural and food‑processing
platforms across emerging markets via its agri-food investment platform Agrium
Capital Ltd.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday in London ahead of
President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom (UK), according to a
statement on Wednesday from the British high commission in Nigeria.

The commission said the project would transform Nigeria’s
dairy sector and strengthen national food security.

The commission said the MoU provides a framework for
collaboration and project development, which will culminate in a formal
shareholders’ agreement.

The initiative is said to be ranked among Nigeria’s most
ambitious dairy investments, combining 20,000 hectares of climate-smart forage
production with a 10,000-milking cow operation.

The project is also expected to include a processing
facility to produce fresh milk, milk powder, butter, cream, and up to 15,000
metric tonnes of infant formula annually.

“Designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported milk
powder, the project will modernise agricultural practices, improve nutrition,
and integrate up to 10,000 rural households into the supply chain through
inclusive out‑grower schemes,” the statement
reads.

“Once operational, the platform is expected to generate over
US$620 million annually and create 2,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs
nationwide.”

Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria,
said the partnership reflects enduring economic ties between Nigeria and the
UK.

Baxter noted that the UK supported the establishment of the
NSIA more than a decade ago by providing legal and financial expertise that
strengthened its governance.

“That early investment has paid dividends, helping build a
resilient institution capable of driving long-term development,” he said.

The envoy described the NSIA-Asset Green collaboration as a
“full-circle moment” in bilateral relations and a signal of shared commitment
to sustainable growth.

Also speaking on the deal, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the managing
director and chief executive officer (CEO) of NSIA, said the project is a
transformative investment valued at nearly $500 million.

“By combining climate-smart farming, advanced processing and
inclusive out-grower participation, we are building a modern, competitive dairy
sector,” he said.

“This will reduce import dependence, create jobs and deliver
long-term value for Nigerians.”

Also commenting, Rod Bassett, director at Asset Green, said
the partnership would unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

Bassett, who is also chief executive officer of Agrium
Capital Ltd., said the greenfield investment would develop infrastructure,
boost local production, and cut import dependence.

He added that the project would support environmental
sustainability while strengthening food sovereignty and nutritional resilience.

Aprokorepublic

A Nigerian woman from Ibadan, Oyo State, identified as
Ogundele Oluwakemi Victoria, is reportedly in critical condition in Iraq after
being trafficked under deceptive circumstances, with allegations of abuse,
starvation, and a suspected organ harvesting attempt.

The case was brought to light by Damilola Adekola of Hopes
Haven Foundation, who said Victoria’s condition has deteriorated significantly.

“She is currently in a critical state, with reports
indicating she may have lost her sanity,” Adekola said, citing claims of
prolonged abuse and neglect.

Victoria’s sister, Titilayo Victoria, said the family only
became aware of her travel plans shortly before she left Nigeria.

“Two days before she travelled, she called to inform me,”
she said. “The agent warned her not to tell anyone until everything was
completed.”

Despite attempts by family members to stop her, Victoria
reportedly went ahead with the trip after being told the process could not be
reversed.

After arriving in Iraq, she maintained limited contact with
her family, during which she allegedly complained of mistreatment and lack of
food.

“She told us they were maltreating her and starving her,”
her sister said.

A Nigerian acquaintance in Iraq, identified as Lady B,
described a troubling account of Victoria’s experience, including alleged
financial exploitation and threats from her employers.

“She said her agent kept demanding money even after she had
paid several months’ salary,” Lady B said.

She further alleged that Victoria narrowly escaped a
suspected organ harvesting attempt.

“She was taken to a hospital, and a nurse warned her to run
for her life because they wanted to harvest her kidney,” she claimed.

According to the account, Victoria later fled to a police
station but was returned to an agency, where she was allegedly resold to
another household.

At the second location, she was reportedly denied access to
her phone and threatened.

“One day, her employer warned she would be shot if seen
using a phone again. That was the last time we heard from her,” Lady B added.

Months later, Victoria was reportedly traced to an agency
office in Baghdad, where she was found in a severely weakened state.

“She was lying on the floor and could not speak. They said
she was not mentally stable,” Lady B said.

She was said to have remained there for weeks without proper
care until concerned Nigerians intervened to provide basic support.

Another Nigerian, identified as Mama Tee, confirmed efforts
to assist Victoria.

“I sent a nurse to assess her, and the report was that she
was not mentally okay,” she said, adding that the agency had threatened to
abandon her if no one took responsibility.

Victoria has since been moved from the facility and is
currently under the care of concerned persons, but remains in urgent need of
medical attention.

“She needs immediate help,” Mama Tee stressed.

Victoria’s agent, identified as Mr Kazeem, admitted
facilitating her travel but denied responsibility for her current situation.

“I handed her over to another agent. I don’t have access to
the office handling her case,” he said.

He added that efforts were being made to support her
treatment but offered no clear plan for her return to Nigeria.

“Let us keep praying for her. By God’s grace, she will
recover,” he said.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in
Persons (NAPTIP) has condemned the incident and pledged to intervene.

Spokesperson Vincent Adekoye said the victim may have
bypassed earlier interception efforts by the agency.

“We usually intercept such cases, but she may have evaded
our officers,” he said, adding that NAPTIP would take immediate steps to rescue
her and investigate those involved.

Victoria’s case points to ongoing concerns over human
trafficking involving Nigerian women to the Middle East, where many reportedly
face exploitation under abusive labour conditions.

Rights groups warn that without stronger enforcement and
public awareness, such cases may continue to rise, putting vulnerable
individuals at risk.

Aprokorepublic