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Sunday Dare: Profile Of Buhari’s Ministerial Nominee, A Trans-Generational Operator

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Well-traveled journalist, a seasoned scholar and accomplished administrator, Mr. Sunday Dare, was on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019, announced as one of the 43 Ministers Designate by Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The multilingual 53 year-old hails from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, South-West Nigeria, and represents a generation of Nigerians, who have come full circle having been born just before the Civil War, witnessing the 2nd and 3rd republics, fighting the military junta via guerilla journalism, helping to entrench the 4th Republic before now taking up leadership roles. Mr. Dare’s impressive resume reads like a thriller novel, as it shows a man that has lived an exciting, challenging but ultimately successful and exemplary life.

After bagging a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in International Studies and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from two of the most respected universities in Northern Nigeria, Mr. Dare took to the skies to pursue more knowledge abroad. Before this, though, he left his indelible mark all over his country of birth. Tired of seeing his country ravaged by poor and contemptuous corruption aided and abetted by unscrupulous military leadership, he joined the elite league of news reporters, who dedicated their lives to afflicting the comfortable while comforting the afflicted. While his contemporaries choose to join the civil service or take up cushy jobs in the banks, he chose to risk his life by investigating corruption, unearthing deep truths and exposing it to the world. This was one of the most dangerous jobs anyone could do at the time, but he and a select few did it and excelled at it. For more than a decade, he lived vicariously. He saw his closest friends and mentors dragged to jail, felled by bullets or beaten to within an inch of their lives. He was never deterred.

When in 1999, the military handed over power to civilians, Nigeria owed a great amount of gratitude to the likes of Mr. Dare. But, he had done his service to his fatherland and it was time to move on. Given how much respect and experience he had garnered over the years, Mr. Dare was offered so many fellowships and jobs abroad. In 2001, he took up the challenge to become the Chief of the Voice Of America (VOA) Hausa Service, Africa Division in Washington D.C. His job, simply put, was to compete in content and audience share with the already established BBC Hausa Service. Armed with all the experience he needed, Mr. Dare quickly conceptualized and directed radio programming in Hausa and English languages to a targeted weekly audience of over 21 million in Nigeria and countries in the West Africa Sub-region. He was a hit. He held the job for eight years until the call to return home became too loud to ignore.

In 2009, he became the Media Adviser to the Honourable Minister for Information and Communication on all media-related matters and government information dissemination and media policy. He held the job for a year until he was asked to take up the role as Chief Of Staff/Special Adviser Media to Former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Being the first person the great man saw in the morning and the last person he saw at night was a herculean task. The political leader was oiling his machinery to get the Progressives into power at the center, hence his schedule was grueling. Mr. Dare was, among other things, responsible for the overall coordination of all political, social and business activities while simultaneously acting as Media Adviser and was coordinating all media interventions, interviews, interactions,  communications, speech writing, research, documentation, and advice on policy matters. The job of at least four men but he did it with enviable calm and grace. 

At the request of President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu reluctantly released Mr. Dare from his duties and he was appointed as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. This has been his role in the last three years until this new call to serve.

In 2010, the father of two lovely girls became an Oxford University Research Fellow with his research work published under the heading: New Media and Citizen Journalism in Africa-A Case Study: Using New media Tools and Citizen Journalism to Investigate Corruption in Nigeria. He has authored three other books and is working on two more.

He is also a multi-award winner home and abroad and is a member of many prestigious associations. He is constantly sought out to provide insight on establishing media outlets, a skill he is most proud of. 

In the run-up to the 2019 elections, Mr Dare briefly offered himself to serve as Governor of his beloved state but aligned with the party when it chose to field another person as the candidate. His contributions to his community have won him accolades as he introduced a new way of doing politics to the grassroots. His health intervention, “Digi Dare”, was a fan favourite. 

President Buhari made a particularly great choice in picking this man, who bridges the gap between the old and the young. He is a product of tested and trusted political operators but has the mien and energy of youth. His love for technology and how it fits into almost all spheres of life shows how balanced he is. Little wonder his nomination has drawn praise from everyone from his traditional rulers to his massive followers on social media. 

Mr Dare is duty-ready!

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BIG STORY

Adron Homes Appreciates Customers Worldwide, Reaffirms Affordable Housing Drive in 2026

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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has expressed profound appreciation to Adron customers across Nigeria and in the diaspora for their unwavering trust, patronage, and continued recommendations of the company’s products throughout 2025.

In his New Year goodwill message, Emmanuelking acknowledged that the loyalty and confidence of Adron customers have remained the backbone of the company’s sustained growth, innovation, and expanding footprint across the country.

“On behalf of the Board, Management, and the entire Adron Group family, I sincerely thank our esteemed customers within Nigeria and outside the country for believing in our vision and standing with us throughout 2025. Your trust, patronage, and referrals continue to inspire us to do more,” he stated.

He noted that every investment made by customers, whether in land acquisition or home ownership, reflects their confidence in the Adron brand and reinforces the company’s resolve to consistently deliver value, quality, and transparency in the real estate sector.

Reflecting on the outgoing year, Emmanuelking described 2025 as a year of collective progress and impact, driven largely by customer support and loyalty. He added that the company remains deeply grateful to customers for their role in strengthening Adron’s position as a leading real estate brand in Nigeria.

As the company steps into 2026, the Adron Group helmsman reassured customers of the brand’s unwavering commitment to service excellence, stressing that the company will continue to prioritize availability and affordability as its core mission.

“Adron Group will not relent in its service delivery. Our driving force remains the availability of quality properties and the affordability that enables Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to become proud property owners. This commitment will continue to shape our offerings and innovations in the new year,” he affirmed.

Emmanuelking concluded by wishing customers a prosperous and rewarding New Year, assuring them of greater opportunities, improved service delivery, and innovative housing solutions in 2026.

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BIG STORY

Tinubu Pledges Strong Economic Rebound In 2026, Says New Year Will Be More Prosperous

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President Bola Tinubu has declared that 2026 marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth for Nigeria, pledging to drive down inflation further, strengthen foreign reserves and sustain the country’s GDP growth trajectory.

In his New Year message to Nigerians on Thursday, the President expressed confidence in the nation’s collective resolve, saying the new year would be a more prosperous one for the country, its citizens, and all who call Nigeria home.

Tinubu argued that during 2025, his administration sustained momentum on major reforms, achieved a fiscal reset and recorded steady economic progress. Despite persistent global economic headwinds, he said, Nigeria recorded tangible and measurable gains, particularly in the economy.

“These achievements reaffirm our belief that the difficult but necessary reforms we embarked upon are moving us in the right direction with more concrete results on the horizon for the ordinary Nigerian,” he stated.

The President disclosed that Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, with annualised GDP growth expected to exceed four per cent for the year.

Trade surpluses were maintained, and greater exchange rate stability was achieved, while inflation declined steadily to below 15 per cent, in line with his administration’s target.

“In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household,” he said.

Tinubu pointed to the performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which, he said, posted a robust 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, consolidating its bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.

On foreign reserves, he disclosed that sound monetary policy management had seen reserves stand at $45.4bn as of December 29, 2025, providing a substantial buffer against external shocks for the Naira. He expressed optimism that this position would strengthen further in the new year.

Foreign direct investment, the President noted, was also responding positively. In the third quarter of 2025, FDI rose to $720m, up from $90m in the preceding quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction, which global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s, had consistently affirmed and applauded.

Tinubu recalled that he recently presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, emphasizing that his administration had implemented critical reforms laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.

“With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth,” he said.

As inflation and interest rates moderate, the President said, his administration expected increased fiscal space for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.

He commended states that had aligned with the national tax harmonization agenda by adopting harmonized tax laws to reduce the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on citizens and basic consumption.

The new year, Tinubu added, marks a critical phase in implementing tax reforms designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria.

On security, the President acknowledged that the nation continues to confront threats from criminal and terrorist elements.

He disclosed that in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24.

The Armed Forces, he said, had since sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and Northeast.

“In 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security. We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and the territorial integrity of our country,” the President stated.

He reiterated his belief that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards and anchored on accountability, was critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.

Tinubu also announced plans to accelerate the implementation of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aiming to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.

Through agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, he said, the administration would stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities. Investment would also continue in modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture, to strengthen food security and improve quality of life.

The President called on all Nigerians to play their part, describing nation-building as a shared responsibility that required unity of purpose, patriotism, and service with honour and integrity.

“To achieve our objectives in 2026, we must all play our part. Nation-building is a shared responsibility.

“We must stand together in unity and purpose, uphold patriotism, and serve our country with honour and integrity in our respective roles. Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation.

“Fellow Nigerians, I wish you all a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year. May God continue to bless and protect our beloved country, keep our troops safe and destroy the enemies bent on disrupting our national peace, security and stability,” he stated.

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BIG STORY

Anthony Joshua Leaves Hospital, Inspects Late Friends’ Bodies at Funeral Home with His Mother

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British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital following a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday, which claimed the lives of his two close friends, Lateef Ayodele and Cina Gami.

In a Wednesday statement co-signed by Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Ogun State, the governments of Lagos and Ogun states expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased.

“The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again commiserate with the families of the two young men, Lateef Ayodele and Cina Gami, who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua. We pray the Almighty grant the repose of their souls whilst granting their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear this very sad and painful loss,” the statement read.

The statement confirmed that Joshua was discharged from the hospital late on Tuesday afternoon, describing him as “heavy-hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends,” but “deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.”

It further noted that Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos on the same day to pay their final respects to his deceased friends, who were being prepared for repatriation later in the evening.

The statement also expressed gratitude to medical personnel who attended to the boxer and other injured parties:

“The team of doctors and medical personnel at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, who attended to Anthony and those who sustained injuries, displayed quality care and professionalism that is truly commendable,” it said.

Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also thanked the public and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support during the period.

Recall that we had reported that the accident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday, when the Lexus Jeep conveying Joshua, with registration number KRD 850 HN, collided with a stationary truck along the busy expressway. The crash resulted in the deaths of two passengers and injuries to others, including the boxing champion.

The authorities are continuing investigations into the incident, while public appeals have been made for patience and cooperation as officials manage the aftermath.

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