NEWS
Ogun Govt. Seals 5 Industries over Alleged Environmental Infractions

The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency OGEPA on Monday in Abeokuta said it has sealed five industries for alleged environmental infractions.
Mr Rotimi Odiniyi, the OGEPA Information Officer, in a statement said Alhaji Farouk Akintunde, Chairman, Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, led the enforcement team.
He quoted Akintunde as saying the companies were shut after the agency received petitions from their immediate communities of their incessant discharge of untreated waste water into the environment.
“He (Akintunde) said the sealing became imperative so as to enthrone an effective environmental compliance mechanism,” the spokesman said.
The companies included Nixim Paper Limited, Long Xiang Aluminum, both in the Sagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The others are New Shidai Manufacturing Limited at Mowe in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area and two unregistered companies, allegedly operating illegally in the Ogere axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“OGEPA confirmed the accusations by these communities and issued a Stop-Work order for them to stop production and correct the anomalies.
“Instead of them to obey the order, they ignored it and continued to degrade the environment with the discharge of their harmful untreated waste water into their immediate communities.
“The state government is, therefore, left with no options than to shut them down in the overriding interest of the public and compelled them to stop their harmful environmental practice.
“It was also discovered that they don’t have Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) which they must have and install to stop their incessant and harmful waste water discharge,” Oduniyi said.
He also quoted the Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde, as saying the companies would be forced to abide by waste water regulations in the state
“Kehinde said this was crucial in preventing water pollution and maintaining water quality standard.
“The agency will not compromise on quality, as it will continue to demand best environmental practices from industries in the state.
“We will have to demand they stick to the best practices as enunciated in the Ogun State Green Book which contains the laws guiding environmental practices in the state.
“For the two unregistered companies sealed, they must do proper registration with the state government and fulfill other operational obligations before they can be allowed to operate in the state,” he added.(NAN)
NEWS
NAFDAC Warns Water Producers on Compliance

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday warned producers to strictly follow hygiene standards and digital registration procedures. Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of NAFDAC’s FCT directorate, said the warning followed inspections that revealed expired licences among several producers.
Azikiwe also educated members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Mararaba-Karu branch, on the importance of compliance. The agency highlighted regulatory timelines and advised on improving water quality across the FCT and parts of Nasarawa State, including Mararaba, Nyanya, and Karu. He noted that producers were careless with water treatment, often misusing sterilisation equipment during production. Azikiwe cited cases where workers unplugged ultraviolet sterilisers to charge phones and turned hygiene areas into kitchens. He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to public safety and urged compliance for the benefit of all Nigerians. Azikiwe encouraged producers to use the agency’s digital platform, the NAFDAC Automated Products and Nutritional Monitoring System (NAPAMS), for easier access to services. He added that laboratory samples are now processed weekly to speed up approvals and urged strict adherence to procedures. Mrs Gloria Wilberford, Head of the Greater FCT Office in Mararaba, said NAPAMS had greatly improved after its upgrade to version 3. She noted that laboratory submissions now occur every Wednesday, cutting delays that used to last over a month. Wilberford said the agency’s aim was to support compliant businesses, not to penalise them. She added that setting up offices in Mararaba and Suleja was meant to ease administrative hurdles in satellite towns. Mr Michael Ajagbonna, Nasarawa Coordinator for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, explained SON certifies products while NAFDAC handles their registration. He stressed on mutual respect among regulators and the need to work within legal boundaries, despite overlapping duties. ATWAP National Financial Secretary, Amb. Usman Diggi, said members struggle with digital literacy but promised to help identify non-compliant producers. “As a union, we can’t sanction violators, but we will report them to NAFDAC,” he stated. Mr John Michael, an ATWAP member, found the session informative and called for more stakeholder engagement. He said the workshop clarified registration issues and gave members the tools and contacts needed to resolve them. (NAN)NEWS
NDA Commandant Seeks Emir of Zazzau’s Support in Training Officers

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, has sought for the royal blessings and support from the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli.Report says that Ibrahim spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the emir at his Palace in Zaria on Wednesday.
The commandant also solicited the emir’s cooperation in fulfilling the NDA’s primary mandate of training officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied African nations. During the visit, the commandant formally informed the emir about his new positon, following the recent re-deployment of personnel in the Nigerian Army. Ibrahim highlighted that the NDA was established over six decades ago to cater to the growing demand for officers in post-independence Nigeria.He emphasised the importance of partnerships with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to enhance both economic development and security in the nation.The commandant invited the emir to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming ‘Leadership Seminar’ dedicated to the legacy of the famous Queen Amina of Zazzau.Ibrahim also informed the emir about the Passing Out Parade (POP) for the 72 Regular Course (RC) Cadets, scheduled for September 2025, and extended a formal invitation for him to attend as the Royal Father of the Day.The commandant also wished Bamalli a long reign, stability, and good health while reassuring him of the armed forces’ ongoing support for peace and stability in the Emirate and beyond.In response, the emir reminisced about his school days at the Government College Kaduna, reflecting on the military discipline instilled at the NDA, which also benefited the students in his college. “I recall those days; the standard of discipline in the NDA was being replicated in our college, making us the beneficiaries of good military traditions,” he stated.The emir expressed his best wishes for Ibrahim’s tenure, stating, “judging from your antecedents, the NDA is lucky to have you as Commandant.”Regarding the Leadership Seminar on Queen Amina, the emir revealed ongoing efforts at the palace to harmonise literature with unwritten facts about the legendary warrior queen, aiming to clarify conflicting accounts and present a well-rounded historical perspective.He assured his attendance at the POP of the 73 RC, reiterating his commitment to the NDA.Accompanying the NDA Commandant included Maj.- Gen. AB Mohammed, the Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army; Prof. Isa Garba, Academy’s Provost; Commodore ST Lengaya, Director of Coordination; Air Commodore SA Buhari, Director of Logistics and Col. MS Jafar, Chief Instructor, Army Wing, among othersThe visit was witnessed by the members of the Zazzau Emirate Council, District Heads, and palace staff. (NAN)NEWS
Don’t Patronise Silverkuun, SEC warns public

By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned the public against investing in unregistered investment schemes, including Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited. In a circular issued in Abuja, Wednesday, the commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of these entities, which falsely present themselves as investment advisers and fund managers in the Nigerian capital market.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the Commission”) has been drawn to the activities of Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited which holds itself out as an Investment Adviser/Fund Manager. “The Commission hereby informs the public that Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited is NOT REGISTERED to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian Capital Market. Accordingly, the SEC advised the public to refrain from engaging with Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited or its representatives in respect of any business in the Nigerian capital market. “The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment. The investing public is therefore reminded to verify the status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s dedicated portal – www.sec.gov.ng/cmos, before transacting with them”, the SEC added. Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama had recently warned that the Commission would not hesitate to shut down the operations of such unregistered entities while also ensuring that the promoters are made to face the full weight of the law. Agama said, “We will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law,” Agama warned. “In a major reform, ISA 2025 officially brings digital assets under the SEC’s regulatory purview, defining them as securities and mandating registration for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and digital asset exchanges. This development aims to close the regulatory vacuum that has allowed many Ponzi-style platforms to thrive under the guise of cryptocurrency and digital finance”.