As Gary Vaynerchuk famously said, “Every company is a media company.” Yet most creators covering AFCON 2025 followed the same playbook. At AFCON 2025, most Nigerian journalists and content creators pitched similar offerings: on-the-ground coverage, press conferences, team updates, behind-the-scenes footage, analysis, cuisine, fan interactions, and Moroccan cultural experiences. Everyone appeared to be deploying the same “Jab, Jab, Jab, Hook” formula—throwing multiple jabs of access-driven content in the hope that one hook would land. Until journalists and content creators stop following the motley and begin swimming against the tide, access will continue to be treated as king—when in reality, differentiation, aided by strategy, is king. When every journalist and content creator is using Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Jab, Jab, Jab, Hook” template while covering major sporting events, thinkers among them must learn to replace one jab with a counterpunch—and a bit of head movement—to stay ahead of the herd.

In a message posted on his official X handle on Thursday, Otedola hailed the refinery’s achievement, commending the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for what he described as a landmark industrial breakthrough. ALSO READ: Dangote makes history, becomes first refinery in the World to hit 650,000bpd capacity“I congratulate my friend and brother, Aliko Dangote, on the remarkable achievement of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaching its full 650,000 barrels per day capacity,” he said. Supplying up to 75 million litres of PMS daily changes our energy narrative and conserves foreign exchange,” he stated. “With domestic refining now firmly underway after decades of reliance on imports, pressure on the foreign exchange market should ease significantly,” Otedola said. The Dangote Refinery, valued at about $20 billion, recently reached its full operational capacity following the successful optimisation of key processing units, marking a major turning point for Africa’s largest refinery project.

He noted that leadership requires unusual stamina and resilience, arguing that younger leaders are better positioned to withstand the pressure. Reflecting on the legacy of General Murtala Muhammed, Jonathan said the late leader demonstrated that age was not a barrier to decisive and visionary leadership. “His leadership sent a clear message: leadership was to serve the national interest, not personal ambition,” Jonathan said. He urged African leaders to view governance as stewardship rather than entitlement and encouraged young people to see leadership as service. Calling on Nigerians and Africans to draw lessons from history, Jonathan said leadership should be measured by impact rather than duration in office.

Congressmen were considering a bill that would impose visa bans and asset freezes on its national leader, Kwankwaso. 7457 –the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. The proposed legislation by the five lawmakers, entitled ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’, was introduced by Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga. Responding to the reports, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed any suggestion that Kwankwaso had been responsible, in any way, for religious freedom violations. “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right that transcends party affiliation.”According to the coalition, swift passage of H.R.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims by former Ekiti State Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose, describing him as a serial political gossip and urging the public to disregard his “beer parlour tales of infamy” regarding vice-presidential tickets. Atiku clarified that there were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets during his recent visit to the residence of former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida. “There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets. “His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope — not the narrow, transactional theatrics invented in that publication. Atiku Abubakar does not engage in secret deals, bribery, or transactional desperation as mischievously portrayed.

Reports indicate that APC holds nationwide elective ward congresses on February 18, 2026, followed by Local Government Congresses on February 20, 2026, to elect new ward executives and delegates for the Local Government Congresses. “We assure you of the commitment of the party to conduct transparent, peaceful ward congresses devoid of manipulation or imposition. “We must put aside all differences and collectively work for the overall success of the exercise because our victory in 2027 begins with the party congresses,” Akiba said. He assured that the congresses in the local government area would be peaceful, transparent and credible. The congress is expected to commence simultaneously in all the wards across the state and will be held at the respective ward party secretariats.

Youths hold solidarity walk for President, governor in Ijebu-OdeA political group in Ogun State, Caucus 7202 (The Coalition), yesterday, endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election, Governor Dapo Abiodun for the Ogun East senatorial seat, and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI) for Governor of Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections. Relatedly, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Remo Division of Ogun East Senatorial District have unanimously endorsed Abiodun as their preferred candidate for the Senate in 2027. Also, youths of the APC in the state, yesterday, staged a solidarity walk in support of Tinubu and Abiodun. He said that the solidarity walk was organised to express appreciation for what he described as the impressive performance of both leaders. National President of the National Association of Ogun State Students, Oluwafemi Ajayi, commended the ongoing federal reforms and the state government’s focus on infrastructure, youth empowerment and economic development.

The Oyo State Government has conferred Mrs Abisola Abodunrin Gbenro with the Justice of the Peace title in recognition of her peace-making efforts, community development and human developmental impact over the years. The event held on Thursday, 12th February, 2026, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. Mrs Gbenro is an Accountant and an Education Manager with over two decades of experience in the education sector. She is the immediate past Head of Accounts Department, The International School, University of Ibadan, where she worked meritoriously for 20 years. She is highly revered in her community for integrity, discipline, high moral standards, friendliness, philanthropy, excellence and kindness.

A new bill in the United States House of Representatives seeks to have the US Secretary of State collaborate with Nigeria to counter what lawmakers describe as the destabilizing impact of illegal Chinese mining operations in the country. The “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026” was introduced on Tuesday by five Republican lawmakers: Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. The sponsors allege that some Chinese mining companies operating in Nigeria have been paying protection money to Fulani militias, fueling local violence and insecurity. The bill also calls for coordination with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the UK to advance religious freedom and peace. The bill references a 2023 report by The Times, which alleged that Chinese nationals in Nigeria’s mining sector were indirectly funding militant groups in the northwest to secure access to mineral resources.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in political propaganda. “For anyone to suggest that the ADC does not exist in Khana is not only misleading but politically dishonest. We are confident that when the time comes, the people of Khana Constituency II will make an informed choice,” Neebari stated. Neebari further suggested that recent comments from the APC may indicate anxiety over what he described as a shifting political momentum in Khana Constituency II. The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to issue-based campaigning and urged all political stakeholders in Khana Local Government Area to uphold democratic values, decorum and peaceful engagement as the electoral process unfolds.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has come under fire for allegedly prioritizing overseas trips and social engagements over governance. Akinola claimed that Governor Adeleke spent over 180 days outside Osun State in 2025, with trips that were not aimed at attracting investments or partnerships beneficial to the state. “Governor Adeleke has essentially become a tourist in his own state. According to Akinola, even when in Nigeria, the governor rarely spends a full week in Osogbo, raising concerns about continuity in governance and coordination of state affairs. “Despite the historic surge in federal allocations over the past three years, there is little to show in terms of infrastructure or social services,” he added.

Oladimeji Fabiyi, former pioneer financial officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been inaugurated as the Deputy National Financial Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Other officials whose nominations were approved at the Ibadan meeting include:Mr. Akinbowale Omole – National Vice Chairman, SouthwestCapt. Kafilat Olayiwola – Deputy National Woman LeaderArc. Bashir Lawal – Assistant National Secretary, Diversity & Inclusion SecretaryProf. Bode Ayorinde – Assistant National Organising SecretaryMrs. Yidiat Oseni – Deputy Coordinator, DiasporaOlufemi Adeleye – Assistant National Woman LeaderLady Lydia Olufunmiloye – Assistant National Woman LeaderThe National Secretary of the ADC and former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated the new national and zonal officers, urging them to work in the overall interest of the party.

… unveils ‘30 by 2023’ growth agendaThe Board of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL) has unveiled the Group’s new strategic roadmap, SRC 2.0 (2026–2030), anchored on the ambitious “30 by 2030” growth target. Disclosing this on Thursday, in Lagos, the Group Chairman, OICL, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, explained that the agenda is aiming for N1 trillion in total assets, N50 billion in group revenue and N30 billion in profit before tax by the year 2030. The Group Managing Director, OICL, Abdulrahman Yinusa, described 2025 as a year the company made deliberate choices and chose to exceed targets rather than merely meet them. Proceeds from divestments have been redirected into healthcare, energy and agribusiness, the three sectors identified as high-growth engines under the group’s new long-term strategy,” he added. The retreat also featured expert sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), organisational culture, enterprise risk management and Nigerian tax reforms, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to innovation, sound governance and sustainable growth.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, in Lagos, reaffirmed the commitment of the force to protect investors’ confidence and the banking sector and other financial institutions with a strong security structure. IGP Egbetokun made the promise during a meeting with managing directors of banks under the auspices of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Victoria Island, Lagos State. According to him, the integrity, continuity, and resilience of the financial system are directly linked to public confidence, investor perception, and the credibility of Nigeria’s economic governance. The threat landscape confronting the banking sector has evolved significantly.”“Conventional risks such as armed attacks on branches and vulnerabilities along cash movement corridors persist in certain areas. “Our objective is to ensure that Nigeria’s financial system remains secure, trusted, and resilient, while supporting the broader national agenda of economic growth.

The former Chief of Staff to the Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, and the 2023 Oyo Central Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Chief Bisi Ilaka has resigned their membership from the party. His resignation was confirmed in a personally signed letter addressed to the Chairman of the party, Ward 5, Oyo East local government area. The letter read, “It is with utmost humility that I tender the resignation of membership from the Peoples Democratic Party. Ilaka served as Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde during the governor’s first term and was the PDP senatorial candidate for Oyo Central in the 2023 general election. He has remained an influential voice within the party in Oyo politics until his latest political move.