Yenagoa, Nigeria – Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, has died after collapsing in his office. He was 60 years old.

Reports indicate that Senator Ewhrudjakpo slumped in his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The Bayelsa State Government has confirmed the death, describing it as a “huge loss”. Tributes have poured in from across the state and the country, praising Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s service and contributions to the development of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo had been serving as Deputy Governor since 2020 under Governor Douye Diri. Prior to his elevation, he represented Bayelsa West in the 9th Senate, where he chaired key committees and was regarded as one of the more influential lawmakers from the South-South region.

By Abdullateef Bambgose

Senator Ikpae Joseph Igiagbe, representing Edo Central in the Senate, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s response to the escalating insecurity in the country, expressing confidence that the measures put in place will restore safety and promote economic growth.

Speaking in an interview with news men at the National Assembly, on Thursday Senator Igiagbe acknowledged the President’s efforts, saying, “Mr. President is doing his best to address these issues. Security is crucial not only for peace but also for economic growth. By the grace of God, our economy is showing improvement.”

The lawmaker emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, stating, “Every Nigerian has a role to play in improving our country. Municipalities alone cannot solve all our problems. Each of us, regardless of belief, tradition, or background, must strive to raise our communities well.”

Senator Igiagbe also expressed concern about opposition attempts to politicize the insecurity issue, saying, “Unfortunately, some opposition is attempting to use insecurity and other challenges to discredit the administration ahead of the 2027 elections.”

On state policing, the Senator expressed support for regionalizing security operations, saying, “This approach ensures that people protect their communities, and it can reduce insecurity significantly.”

He also announced plans to introduce a bill leveraging the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to provide young people with pathways into military and paramilitary service, aiming to reduce unemployment and strengthen community safety.

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Government has unveiled a comprehensive 2026 Action Plan to accelerate economic growth, improve service delivery, and enhance the welfare of all residents.

The plan focuses on key reform pillars, including land administration modernization, agricultural investments for food security, strengthened public-private partnerships (PPPs) and export promotion, accelerated infrastructure development, and expedited justice delivery with clear, measurable timelines.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting on Ease of Doing Business, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to transparent governance, accountability, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

She highlighted strategic focus areas for 2026, emphasising land administration reforms, agricultural investment promotion, public – private partnership expansions, infrastructure delivery, and justice sector efficiency—all with time-bound targets to ensure measurable results.

According to her, government policies must continue to positively shape the business environment by enhancing regulatory clarity and improving service efficiency, particularly through the SABER programme.

“The goal of Ease of Doing Business is to ensure that government and stakeholders work together to create a truly conducive business environment—one that drives innovation, investment, and sustainable economic growth under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership,” she added.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. AbdulQuawiy Olododo, reiterated the government’s commitment to scaling up infrastructure across the State, with continued investments in roads, bridges, electricity, water, healthcare, and education to attract private capital and stimulate development.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Mrs Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, emphasised that the State now operates a transparent and predictable investment promotion framework, designed to support companies, cooperatives, and local investors with accessible processes and competitive incentives.

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Mallam Sulyman Abdulkareem, noted that the recently commissioned land digitalization system marks a significant milestone in improving transparency and efficiency in land administration. He explained that the digital platform will streamline land records, title issuance, and related transaction aimed at significantly reducing processing times and improving tenure security for citizens and investors.

Adding to this, the Accountant General of the State, Mallam Abdulganiyu Sanni, commended the government’s reforms, noting that “transparent and clearly published official fees, procedures, and service timelines have strengthened public trust and showcased the State’s commitment to efficient, accountable public service delivery.” He emphasized that these measures are essential to creating a predictable environment that supports businesses and enhances revenue integrity.

Stakeholders in attendance also expressed strong support. The Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Mr. Olawoyin Yinka Solomon, commended the government for policies that continue to improve the business climate. The Vice Chairman of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Kwara State Chapter, Alh. Babatunde Ganiyu Aremu similarly applauded the Council’s efforts to sustain a conducive environment for MSMEs across the State.

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