The Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has joined political leaders, business executives and other prominent Nigerians in celebrating the 60th birthday of Ogun State First Lady, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun.

In a goodwill message jointly signed with his wife, Olori Aderonke Emmanuelking, the businessman described Mrs Abiodun as “an icon of courage, compassion and charisma whose life continues to inspire hope, uplift humanity and exemplify purposeful public service.”

The tribute comes as the First Lady marks her Diamond Jubilee, a milestone supporters say reflects decades of service, advocacy and community development.

Why it matters

As First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Abiodun has championed programmes focused on women, children and vulnerable groups, making her one of the state’s most recognisable advocates for social welfare.

Public figures often use milestone celebrations to reflect on leadership and public service, while such tributes also highlight the growing role of partnerships between government, businesses and civil society in addressing social challenges.

The tribute

Emmanuelking said the First Lady’s six decades have been characterised by dedication to humanity, exemplary leadership and an ability to positively influence lives through humility, kindness and compassion.

He described her 60th birthday as a celebration of a woman whose life reflects the qualities associated with a diamond—”resilient, refined, enduring, and radiant through every season.”

The Adron Group Chairman also commended Mrs Abiodun’s support for Ogun State’s development agenda, particularly initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women, children and other vulnerable people.

According to him, her contributions to public service and human development deserve lasting recognition across Nigeria.

He prayed that God would grant her “excellent health, renewed strength, abiding peace, and many more years of purposeful living,” while giving her greater opportunities to continue advancing humanitarian causes.

He also wished the First Lady “a joyous 60th birthday and a new decade filled with greater accomplishments, divine favour, and enduring fulfilment.”

What’s next

Mrs Abiodun’s 60th birthday celebrations are expected to attract dignitaries from government, business and civil society, while attention is likely to remain on the impact of the social initiatives associated with her office.

Stakeholders say the occasion also provides an opportunity to assess how public-private partnerships can further improve the lives of vulnerable residents in Ogun State.

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), with support from the European Union through the SecFin Africa Programme, on Thursday opened a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Nigerian journalists to investigate illicit financial flows (IFFs), money laundering and other financial crimes.

The workshop, taking place at The Dover Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, brings together journalists, media practitioners, civil society organisations and anti-corruption experts to deepen investigative reporting and promote greater public accountability in Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes.

Organisers said the initiative forms part of a broader project to strengthen civil society organisations and the media in advancing transparency, accountability and citizen engagement in tackling illicit financial flows across the country.

Why it matters

Illicit financial flows remain one of Nigeria’s most significant economic and governance challenges, diverting billions of dollars that could otherwise finance healthcare, education, infrastructure, environmental protection and social welfare.

Experts say the illegal movement of funds also weakens public institutions, fuels corruption, widens inequality and undermines citizens’ confidence in government.

Opening the workshop, ANEEJ Executive Director, David Ugolor, said journalists have historically played a critical role in exposing corruption and promoting accountability but now require specialised knowledge to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated financial crimes.

He noted that illicit financial flows have evolved beyond conventional corruption, involving complex issues such as beneficial ownership, money laundering, digital financial transactions and international financial networks.

According to him, while Nigeria has enacted anti-money laundering laws and established anti-corruption institutions, effective implementation depends on informed public discourse and active citizen engagement.

Ugolor said the workshop is designed to improve journalists’ understanding of illicit financial flows, strengthen investigative reporting skills and encourage collaboration with institutions such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other accountability agencies.

He added that by the end of the training, organisers hope participants will be better equipped to produce evidence-based investigative reports and build stronger professional networks capable of supporting democratic governance.

“The fight against illicit financial flows is a shared responsibility involving government, civil society, the media and citizens,” he said.

EU-backed programme targets illicit financial flows across Africa

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the SecFin Africa Programme, Professor Abdullahi Shehu, said the workshop is part of a wider Africa-European Union partnership supported with €46 million to help African countries strengthen anti-money laundering systems and combat terrorism financing and illicit financial flows.

He explained that the programme is implemented through regional offices across Africa, including the West African regional office in Dakar, Senegal.

Professor Shehu described Nigeria as a priority country because of its size and strategic influence on the continent, noting that the programme includes intensive support for government institutions, civil society organisations and the media.

He said one of the programme’s key objectives is to strengthen journalists’ understanding of illicit financial flows so they can contribute meaningfully to national and international efforts to combat financial crimes.

“The media has critical responsibilities in democratic society to raise awareness, educate and inform citizens,” he said.

He commended media organisations such as Channels Television and Premium Times for their contributions to investigative journalism and public-interest reporting.

Professor Shehu also welcomed efforts to promote transparency within civil society organisations while expressing hope that proposed reporting requirements for donor funding would not weaken independent monitoring of government activities.

He added that studies identifying the risks and vulnerabilities surrounding illicit financial flows would provide valuable resources for investigative journalists and accountability advocates.

NFIU says media remains indispensable in tackling financial crimes

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit described journalists as vital partners in the country’s efforts to combat illicit financial flows, saying informed reporting is essential to promoting accountability and protecting national security.

Representing the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, Ms Aisha Bantam, said investigative journalism has played an indispensable role worldwide in exposing corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.

She noted that every illicit dollar leaving Africa represents lost opportunities to invest in schools, hospitals, roads and other public services.

According to her, financial crimes have become increasingly sophisticated, transnational and technology-driven, making stronger collaboration between financial intelligence agencies and journalists more important than ever.

Bantam said the NFIU occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework by providing financial intelligence that supports investigations into corruption, organised crime, cyber fraud and terrorism financing.

She said the agency also champions the Joint Financial Intelligence Collaboration (JFIC), an internationally recognised model for combating financial crimes, while promoting beneficial ownership transparency and targeted financial sanctions.

Bantam encouraged journalists participating in the workshop to deepen their understanding of illicit financial flows as Nigeria prepares for its 2027 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation, noting that accurate reporting would strengthen transparency, accountability and compliance.

Premium Times advocates specialised investigative journalism training

Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed, described the workshop as an important investment in investigative journalism.

He said reporting on illicit financial flows and other financial crimes requires specialised knowledge that should be accessible to more journalists across Nigeria.

Mojeed thanked the organisers for convening the training, expressing hope that similar opportunities would be expanded to strengthen public-interest journalism nationwide.

Nigeria loses up to $17 billion annually, expert says

Speaking during a technical session on Understanding Illicit Financial Flows and Financial Crimes in Nigeria, Professor Shehu, said illicit financial flows involve funds that are illegally earned, transferred, owned or used, whether within a country or across international borders.

He explained that the phenomenon is characterised by three elements: illegal sources of funds, illegal movement of funds and illegal ownership or use of those funds.

According to him, Nigeria loses between $10 billion and $17 billion annually through illicit financial flows, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of Africa’s estimated annual losses of $50 billion.

He said commercial activities account for about 70 per cent of the country’s illicit financial flows, while tax evasion, trade misinvoicing, public sector corruption, money laundering and organised criminal activities remain among the principal drivers.

Professor Shehu identified accountants, lawyers, business consultants, tax advisers, real estate firms, trust companies and foreign secrecy jurisdictions as some of the intermediaries that facilitate illicit financial flows.

He warned that the losses reduce government revenue, increase borrowing, encourage capital flight, discourage investment, weaken institutions, widen inequality and threaten democratic governance.

Among the solutions he proposed were stronger anti-money laundering laws, greater public finance transparency, digitised tax administration, beneficial ownership registers, wider deployment of artificial intelligence for transaction monitoring, stronger international cooperation and improved legal protection for whistleblowers and investigative journalists.

Journalists urged to adopt investigative mindset

Another resource person, Taiwo Adebayo Hassan of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), urged journalists to approach every assignment with an investigative mindset rather than limiting investigative reporting to a few specialised reporters.

He said journalists must go beyond official statements by asking follow-up questions, verifying documents, checking company ownership records and consulting subject-matter experts before publishing reports.

Hassan cautioned against the growing trend of publishing unverified information in the race to break news, recalling instances where outdated videos were republished as current events because of poor verification.

He encouraged journalists investigating financial crimes to make greater use of open-source intelligence, beneficial ownership databases and field investigations while ensuring that every investigation is guided by public interest.

According to him, journalists should always connect corruption and illicit financial flows to their impact on ordinary Nigerians by demonstrating how stolen public funds affect healthcare, education, roads and other essential services.

Expert perspective

Anti-corruption experts at the workshop agreed that strengthening investigative journalism is becoming increasingly important as financial crimes grow more sophisticated and cross national borders.

They said improving journalists’ understanding of financial intelligence, corporate ownership structures and digital financial systems could lead to more evidence-based investigations, stronger public accountability and greater transparency in governance.

Day two continues Friday

The workshop will continue on Friday with additional technical sessions focusing on investigative reporting techniques, financial intelligence, beneficial ownership, access to public information and collaboration between journalists and anti-corruption institutions.

Participants are also expected to engage with experts on practical strategies for investigating illicit financial flows and producing public-interest stories capable of strengthening accountability and democratic governance in Nigeria.

Industry reaction

Participants at the opening day of the workshop welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention as financial crimes become increasingly sophisticated and technology-driven.

Many noted that investigative reporting on illicit financial flows requires specialised knowledge of financial intelligence, corporate ownership structures, beneficial ownership registers, open-source intelligence and international financial systems—areas often absent from routine newsroom training.

They also called for stronger collaboration between journalists, civil society organisations, financial intelligence agencies and anti-corruption institutions to improve access to credible information and strengthen evidence-based reporting.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has inducted 70 of its Public Relations officers into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in what officials describe as a major step towards strengthening professional communication across the agency.

The induction ceremony, held on Monday at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is the Service’s first mass admission of communication officers into the professional body since 2013. Officials say the move is designed to improve how Customs communicates its reforms, operations and public services at a time when misinformation is increasingly shaping public opinion.

Why it matters

As Customs expands digital operations and implements reforms aimed at improving trade and border management, effective communication is becoming as important as enforcement.

Government agencies are under increasing pressure to explain policies clearly, respond quickly to false information and build public confidence. Communication experts say professionally trained spokespersons can help bridge the gap between institutions and citizens.

Addressing the newly inducted officers, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi described the induction as an investment in the future of the Service.

He said the agency’s recent reforms—including its recognition as one of Nigeria’s best-performing government institutions in ease of doing business—must be communicated professionally to sustain public trust.

“As the Service transitions to a technology-driven Customs administration, Public Relations practitioners must remain proactive in countering misinformation, managing public perception and sustaining stakeholders’ confidence,” he said.

He added: “Rumours will be heard, narratives will be pushed, so be ready to use your communication with clarity and the necessary measures so rumours can be addressed swiftly and decisively.”

The Customs boss also announced that the agency’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Customs Cares, is expected to receive recognition at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

He described the programme as a legacy project whose achievements should continue to be promoted through ethical and strategic communication.

NIPR applauds Customs reforms

The President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, praised the Service for investing in professional communication.

He said Customs had become a model for institutional reform under Adeniyi’s leadership.

“You can no longer dismiss matters concerning the Service. You must be proud of this as a Nigerian,” Neliaku said.

According to him, the agency has grown into an institution recognised for reforms, corporate excellence and increasing influence within the global Customs community.

Former spokesperson urges professionalism

Retired Comptroller of Customs and former National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, urged the newly inducted officers to uphold the ethics of the profession.

He advised them to remain truthful, accurate and responsible in their communication while continuing to improve their skills through seminars, workshops and active participation in NIPR programmes.

Attah said successful crisis communication depends on composure, empathy and strategic thinking.

Recognition for Customs communication team

The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Aliyu Maiwada, said the milestone reflected years of commitment by the current Comptroller-General and former Customs spokespersons who helped build the communication department.

He noted that their collective efforts laid the foundation for the latest achievement.

Expert perspective

Communication experts say professional accreditation is becoming increasingly important in public institutions, particularly as government agencies rely more on digital platforms to communicate with citizens.

They argue that certified public relations practitioners are better equipped to manage crises, counter false information and promote transparency—factors that can improve public confidence in government institutions.

Public impact

For businesses, importers and exporters, clearer communication from Customs could lead to better understanding of regulations, fewer misunderstandings and faster access to official information.

For the wider public, professional communication may also improve transparency around Customs operations, anti-smuggling activities and revenue reforms.

What’s next?

The induction forms part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s wider reform programme, which includes digital transformation, stakeholder engagement and institutional capacity building.

Observers say the effectiveness of the newly inducted officers will ultimately be measured by how well the Service communicates policy changes, responds to public concerns and maintains credibility during periods of crisis.