Lagos socialite Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Chiefpriest, has asserted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must retain the support of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to ensure President Bola Tinubu secures re-election in 2027.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• The Stance: In a post on his Instagram story on Wednesday, Chiefpriest argued that President Tinubu’s 2027 bid cannot succeed without a broad coalition, specifically requiring the votes from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party, and the Accord Party, which he believes Wike can help deliver.

• The Context: His statement comes amid rising tensions between the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Wike over the Minister’s recent political initiative, the ‘Rainbow Coalition,’ in Rivers State.

• Electoral Value Over Party: Chiefpriest emphasized that his political loyalty is tied to “electoral value” rather than party affiliation. He stated he would refuse to support any APC candidate lacking significant political worth in the Southeast and beyond.

• Credit for First Term: Crediting President Tinubu’s 2023 victory to a “collabo” (collaboration) strategy, Chiefpriest expressed hope that the President would be able to resolve the current political dispute between the Governors’ Forum and Minister Wike to replicate that success.

Afrobeats star Davido reportedly reached out to comedian and content creator Carter Efe to caution him against directing insults at fellow artist Wizkid.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• The Disclosure: During a recent Twitch livestream, Carter Efe shared that Davido personally messaged him to put a stop to any attacks on Wizkid, debunking rumors that the DMW boss was orchestrating the online drama.

• Clearing the Air: Carter Efe noted that due to his close relationship with Davido, critics often assumed his comments about Wizkid were instigated by Davido himself. However, he insisted the opposite is true, stating, “Which person go fit get good heart like that? Evidence dey o, make I leak the secret?” while defending Davido’s character.

• Shifting Loyalties: In separate comments, Carter Efe reflected on his support for top music stars, explaining that past experiences with Wizkid taught him not to permanently lock his loyalty into a single fan base or camp.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has proposed a strategic partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) aimed at boosting locally made products, fostering young entrepreneurs, and expanding economic opportunities across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• The Visit and Collaboration: SMEDAN Director-General Charles Odii led a delegation to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, meeting with the anti-graft agency’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. Both heads discussed joint efforts to encourage local production, youth empowerment, skills acquisition, and initiatives to deter cybercrime.

• Educational and Reintegration Initiatives: Odii highlighted SMEDAN’s upcoming Inspire, Create, Start, and Scale (ICSS) Institute—approved by the Ministry of Education to offer National Diploma programmes intertwined with entrepreneurship. He also noted programs focused on training prison inmates nearing the end of their sentences to help them reintegrate into society as business owners, alongside a proposed five-year national MSME policy.

• Tackling Cybercrime and Supporting Local Goods: Proposing collaboration with the EFCC’s upcoming Cybersecurity Research and Training Centre (designed to train about 500 people simultaneously), Odii suggested helping youth involved in cybercrime transition to legitimate enterprises. EFCC Chairman Olukoyede welcomed the partnership, emphasized the damage cybercrime inflicts on Nigeria’s economy, and strongly advocated for a national policy encouraging the production and consumption of Nigerian-made goods.

• Showcasing Local Innovation: To conclude the visit, the SMEDAN delegation presented a variety of Nigerian-made goods—including hibiscus tea, coffee, wax candles, cassava biscuits, and locally produced fabrics created via the G-R-O-W support initiative—to the EFCC leadership.