…project ‘ll create 100,000 jobs, Oyebanji assures

The President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, for sustaining and promoting the spirit behind the concept of Ekiti Knowledge Zone(EKZ), saying the project has a good prognosis of becoming a viable Nigeria’s hub of Innovations, research and skill development in the future.

The President described Ekiti as the home of scholars and posited that the EKZ, as a state government propelled investment, is capable of radicalising the potentials of talented Nigerians and serve as a launchpad for their relevance at the global stage.

The President spoke on Tuesday, during the turning of the sod for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone located at Ago Araromi in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, said education remained the most viable inheritance of Ekiti people and commended Governor Oyebanji for demonstrating visionary leadership in governing the State through strategic alliances with critical stakeholders.

Describing the EKZ project as a masterpiece, the President said it was in alignment with Singaporean vision that any economy can be unlocked through education and technological innovation, assuring Governor Oyebanji and the entire citizens of the federal Government’s support to make the project thrive.

“Under President Tinubu’s administration, we are gradually moving from dependency to sustainability and self sufficiency. We are determined to encourage research, innovation and technological development to create jobs for our teeming youths.

“We are focused about this and I thank Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his leadership and initiative”.

Also speaking at the event , Governor Oyebanji revealed that the Ekiti Knowledge Zone was conceptualised to unlock the hidden potentials of Ekiti citizens and make the state the frontliner in skill, innovation, research and human capital development worldwide.

The governor said Ekiti has been known to be intellectual hub and for having the highest number of Professors in the country, who deserves serious attention in the area of innovation.

He added that the project commenced August 12, 2013 under Governor Kayode Fayemi-led government, with the intention to build the potentials of Ekiti citizens.

Oyebanji stated that he decided to sustain the EKZ in demonstration of the continuity agenda of his government as well as making significant investment in technology, industrial development, healthcare , research, science and innovation, and many other pivotal areas of the economy that would make Ekiti epicentre of development .

“This project is part of the 30 years Development Plan of this administration in its efforts to unlock the economic potentials of our state. And we are happy that we had been able to raise $80 million financial capital through the federal government and African Development Bank. We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and AfDB for approving the deal.

“You could all remember that that the EKZ was designated as a Free Trade Zone by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. This EKZ is not only going to be the giant of innovation in Africa, but it represents a world class economic ecosystem that will serve as a catalyst for industrial development, innovation, job creation, opportunities for technology driven industries and skill acquisition platform.

“I am glad to inform you that the first phase when fully completed, over 20,000 jobs will be created in line with the local contents policy of our administration, while the entire phases is to generate about 100,000 jobs covering areas like research, science, technology, industry and education development”.

The Chief Executive Officer of CCECC, the contractor handling the project, Eric Shem, applauded the federal, state and African Development Bank for their partnership, saying their lofty contributions demonstrated how committed they are to the development of the human capital in the country.

Shem said the programme will change the future of the country by attracting investments and build the human capital, assuring that the project will be completed in record time to create employment opportunities and to meet other demands.

High profile figures at the ceremony were: the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, former Governor Segun Oni, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Hon Ibrahim Masari, the Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Aladesuyi, commissioners, Special Advisers, political and community leaders, among others.

Three passengers have been confirmed dead following the derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) on Monday.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa.

According to the NRC, emergency response teams and relevant authorities were immediately deployed to the scene to provide assistance to affected passengers and manage the situation.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today. Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” the statement said.

The corporation added that it is closely monitoring developments and would provide further details as more information becomes available.

The latest accident comes less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended operations on the Warri–Itakpe corridor to carry out critical safety and operational assessments. The agency had said the move was necessary to ensure improved safety, reliability, and service delivery on the route.

The Warri–Itakpe rail line has witnessed previous derailment incidents. In November 2025, a train on the same route derailed in Agbor, Delta State, an incident the NRC attributed to vandalism. Two suspects were later arrested in connection with the case.

Similarly, in August 2025, a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed shortly after departing the nation’s capital, causing panic among passengers.

Following a series of derailments across the country’s rail network, the Senate in November 2025 resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the recurring incidents, assess the state of rail infrastructure, and examine the quality of materials used in the sector.

Investigations into Monday’s derailment are ongoing.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday officially swore in Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Minister of Power and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The brief ceremony was attended by the ministers’ spouses, senior government officials, and other dignitaries.

The appointments followed the resignation of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to pursue their respective political ambitions. President Tinubu subsequently nominated Tegbe and Enikanolaiye for the positions, and both nominees were confirmed by the Senate on May 6, 2026.

Tegbe Brings Over Three Decades of Reform Experience

Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, an indigene of Ibadan in Oyo State, is widely recognised for his expertise in fiscal management, economic reforms, institutional transformation, and stakeholder engagement.

With more than 35 years of experience spanning both the public and private sectors, Tegbe holds a First Class Degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Switzerland and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Birmingham.

Before his appointment, Tegbe served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he spearheaded several transformational projects, including the design and implementation of major presidential reform programmes and strategic initiatives for state governments.

His professional portfolio includes engagements with key organisations such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria Revenue Service, Shell, Huawei, General Electric, MTN, and Odu’a Group.

He has also played significant roles in fiscal policy reforms and restructuring efforts across various levels of government.

Veteran Diplomat Takes Charge at Foreign Affairs

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, a native of Igbagun in Kogi State, brings decades of diplomatic and public service experience to his new role.

He graduated with a First Class Degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he emerged as the best graduating student in his faculty and received the Dean’s Prize. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy with Distinction from the University of Lagos.

Enikanolaiye joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 1982 and rose through the ranks to become Director before his appointment as Permanent Secretary of the ministry in 2016. He retired from the civil service on August 4, 2017, after 35 years of distinguished service.

During his diplomatic career, he served in several Nigerian missions abroad, including Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Belgrade, Serbia; Ottawa, Canada; London, United Kingdom; and New Delhi, India, where he served as Nigeria’s Head of Mission.

He is a recipient of numerous honours, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award, the Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award, and recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Defence College.

Prior to his appointment as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Enikanolaiye served as Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and International Relations in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

The swearing-in ceremony marks a new phase in the administration’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power sector and advance its foreign policy objectives through experienced leadership.