General News
Fagboyo @50: Development expert launches IPADEV to promote social justice, others
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A development expert and former regional head in Nigeria of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Dr Margaret Fagboyo, has launched a Non Government Organization (NGO) known as Inclusive Pathway Development Initiative (IPADEV) to promote social justice in the country.
The NGO has a clear vision of promoting an inclusive society where every individual, regardless of gender, background, or status, has equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to sustainable development.
The launch at the weekend in Abuja, which coincident with the 50th birthday of the founder and the Executive Director, Dr.
Fagboyo, had prominent Nigerians, including Ekiti State Governor (represented), Senators, many House of Representatives members, Ekiti State House of Assembly members, top government officials and Civel Society leaders, among others in attendance.Speaking with newsmen on the birth of the NGO, Mr. Fagboyo said she decided to found the organisation as a means to give back to society positively.
According to her, a life without service is a life in pain. And I pray that this new chapter, that the Lord will make it fulfilling for me, fruitful, purposeful, impactful.
“All I have to say is gratitude. Gratitude for what God has done in my life. Gratitude for what God has taken. And like I said in my speech, I choose gratitude over regrets. I have not regretted anything. If there’s anything I have regretted, it’s like not taking steps when I am supposed to take them.
You know, I lean back at some point. But at 50, I told myself that anything that I want to do, I’ll go for it. I want to continue to raise the bar. I want to continue to make impact.
“And I thank God for the birth of IPADEV. I also want to use that opportunity to give back to the society. Like I said, I have a tripod journey. I worked with development partners for 18 years. I worked with government for three years. I have been in the NGO space for three years. And I said, with all these experiences, it should not die within me. Let me give back to the society. And that was what brought about IPADEV.
“And I pray that we will use the platform to give back to the society, to also take care of the traditionally left behind. You know, the Sustainable Development Goals say, leave no one behind. And that is the reason behind IPADEV. We don’t want to leave anyone behind. We want an inclusive government. We are the old, the women, the young, the people living with disability can also engage and contribute and also benefit from the society.”
When asked on what Nigerians should expect from the organization in the next ten years, Dr. Fagboyo said: “Well, in the next 10 years, I want to see IPADEV on high sky, contributing to gender equality, contributing to inclusion, contributing to accountability.
“I want to see us as an NGO that will be leading, I will be a young NGO that has just been created but making waves in the next 10 years. We are also going to learn from the people we met in this space. And you know, the civic space is shrinking. And there is discussion about how do we revive that shrinking space? And that is why IPADEV is also coming on board to contribute its own quota to the society.”
She however, pleaded with the
National Assembly to pass an inclusive bill so that women can have their space, be included, and can occupy positions that are meant for them.
Speaking with newsmen after the launch of IPADEV, founding Executive Director of the Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said Dr Margaret Fagboyo has had a distinguished career having worked with DFID for 18 years, worked in government for four years as Special Adviser to Governor Kayode Fayemi on SDGs and worked with Centre LSD for three years.
Dr. Otive said: “So, what I expect from her is that she will be focused on these areas and initiate programmes that will change the tragedy. For instance, we know that women are not treated well. They are discriminated against in Nigeria. All indexes indicate that Nigeria is one of the worst countries in the world in terms of women empowerment, especially women in leadership positions.
“So, I expect that she will join all others to push the frontiers of gender equality and women empowerment.
Particularly, in terms of community development, that she will promote active citizen participation because that is a key issue in Nigeria.
“We have a political elite that has captured the state.They have captured the legislature. They have captured the judiciary. They have captured the media. So, we want active citizens so that we can move forward.”
Also, a popular activist and former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, said Dr. Fagboyo was launching the NGO at the right time to advance the cause of inclusivity in Nigeria.
“We are talking about inclusivity of women because what we have is male parliament in Nigeria and she has been through some of the roads.
“For her to be 50 and having gone through such a wonderful career and rededicating herself to the service of humanity, this is the time to come because we have more than half of Nigerians live below the poverty line.
“The women need help, children need help, everywhere you are looking at help and so her coming on board at this time is quite special and we welcome her into the fold because in civil society there is a lot of burden of the kind of rot we have in the society now. You know what we are facing right now, that people are living in an existential environment, people are trying to exist, no longer just survivors, just refugees.
“So we expect so much of her but we are willing to, we have welcomed her and we are happy that when she’s celebrating her 60, it would have been 10 years of IPADEV and contribution to humanity. It’s the best place to be.”
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and sunshine from Monday until Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, envisaged moderate dust haze over parts of Kebbi and Kano States of the northern region on Monday.
It predicted horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km over the region with the rest of the northern States to be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For central region, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger states, while the rest of the states in the region should be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For southern region, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the region with prospects of afternoon/evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States,” it said.
According to NiMet, a slight dust haze is anticipated over parts of Kano and Kebbi States of the northern region on Tuesday, while the remaining states in the region are expected to have sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
The agency envisaged sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period with chances of isolated thundery activity over parts of plateau state during the afternoon and evening hours.
It anticipated sunny skies with patches of cloud over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
NiMet forecasts sunny and hazy skies over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.
The agency predicted sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
”Dust particles are in suspension; the public should take necessary precaution; People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition.
”Driving under the rain should be with caution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said
The agency urged residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, and visit its website on www.nimet.gov.ng.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.
It also announced Thursday, January 1, 2026, as a public holiday for the New Year celebration.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr.
Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.According to the statement, the minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security, and national development.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations and wished them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest to transform the state into a maritime hub with the official presentation of the Hydrographic, Geotechnical, geophysical Report and New Navigational Chart for the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport project.
Out, who spoke at a formal ceremony held in the State Executive Council Chamber in Calabar, described the event as a “historic milestone” that not only affirms Nigeria’s maritime boundaries but also sets the stage for an economic revolution across the Gulf of Guinea.
“This is truly a historic day, not just for Cross River State but for the entire country,” Governor Otu said.
“What we have achieved today replaces charts dating back to 1903 and settles long-standing debates about Cross River’s status as a littoral state. This chart clearly affirms our coastal status.”Otu emphasized that the updated maritime chart now aligns with S-100 international standards, positioning Cross River for deepwater commerce and international shipping operations.
“When we connect this with the ongoing coastal highway, we’re looking at a completely different city,” he said. “The economic potential is enormous.”
Otu acknowledged the foundational work of former NDDC Chairman Professor Eyo Etim Nyong, describing the seaport project as a dream revived and revitalized.
“We picked up this dream where the former governor, Professor Ben Ayade left off. Public funds had been committed, and we could not allow it to die. Today is another giant step toward its full realization,” he said.
With the technical phase complete and the report formally presented, Governor Otu disclosed that the project now awaits a final seal of approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Once we get that FEC seal, work starts almost immediately,” he assured. “Cross River is ready, and this project is not just for us, it is for Nigeria and for West Africa.”
The presentation was led by Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, Hydrographer of the Federation and CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria, alongside senior naval officers including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Rear Admiral Anyo Olokunle.
Rear Admiral Olugbode described the report as the culmination of an intensive multi-year effort, beginning with a formal flag-off on December 21, 2024, and followed by rigorous data acquisition starting January 6, 2025. The survey, he said, covered hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical dimensions, all aimed at ensuring safety, precision, and international compliance.
“This is more than just a technical report. It is the bedrock for constructing and operating the Bakassi Deep Seaport,” he said. “It provides essential data for engineering design, dredging, breakwater construction, and navigation safety.”
He added that the data would boost investor confidence, enable effective ocean governance, and contribute to global initiatives such as Seabed 2030, a project that aims to map the entire seafloor of the world by 2030.
Olugbode also praised the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support.
“Your Excellency, your administration’s commitment and facilitation of logistics created an enabling environment for the success of this complex operation,” he noted.
The Bakassi Deep Seaport is expected to catalyze investments in shipping, logistics, trade and tourism, while creating jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.
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