Aisha Achimugu, OFR, an Abuja-based businesswoman and Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, a firm that is into civil, structural and transportation engineering, is one of the highly respected employers of labour in the country.
Undoubtedly, the serial entrepreneur that deals in exploration, production and distribution of petroleum products, has made and continues to make huge contributions to the nation’s economy.
She has proved to be someone that matches street smartness with book wisdom.
Brick by brick, Achimugu has built a vast layout of opportunities for young Nigerians and has demonstrated that greatness can be earned through diligence and hard work, making her great impact in various sectors.
At different times, the Founder and President of SAM Empowerment Foundation has also been duly recognized for her industry and philanthropy within and outside the country.
Interestingly, on Saturday, 1 March, 2025, at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, family, friends and fans shared in the joy of the 51-year-old, who holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Jos and a Master’s in Business Management from the University of Belize, when she bagged the award of Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sun Newspapers Awards ceremony.
During the ceremony, many of the distinguished guests were said to have intoned that she would have also won an award for the Philanthropist of the Year, if there was such a category.
Indeed, she is not lagging behind in philanthropy, considering that her well documented humanitarian gestures had impacted millions of people and communities in Nigeria over the years.
The very elated woman posted on her social media, she acknowledged the award.
She wrote:
‘’The Sun Publishing Limited has proudly recognised me, as the Sun entrepreneur of the year, celebrating my outstanding contributions to business, leadership and social impact.
“It’s such an honor to be recognized as The Sun Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
“As a visionary leader and the President of Felak Group of Companies, I have consistently demonstrated excellence across multiple industries, including engineering, maritime, oil and gas, ICT, and development. My ability to drive innovation while maintaining integrity and business acumen has set me apart as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape.
“My recognition is not only a testament to my business expertise but also to my commitment to national development. From my early academic pursuit as a pioneer in Nigeria’s maritime sector, I have made history as the first female transaction advisor for the Ibaka Seaport project. Additionally, my philanthropic efforts have impacted countless lives, reinforcing my dedication to uplifting communities through The Aisha Achimugu Foundation
“The Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited acknowledged my relentless drive, economic contributions, and unwavering commitment to excellence hence The Entrepreneur of the Year Award bestowed upon me
“The award was formally presented to me at The Sun Awards 2026 in Eko Hotel, Lagos, on March 1, 2025, in the presence of industry leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers.
“Congratulations to myself and all recipients’’
In her younger days, she was the envy of some of her friends simply because she easily proved to have known her right from her left when some of them were still tied to their mothers’ apron strings.
Much later, when she floated her business, it took her little or no time to prove that she is indeed set out to pursue her dream on the global stage.
Though, it was considered an impossible task by some naysayers, she was determined to pursue her ambition of ruling the world with her unwavering doggedness.
Today, she rubs shoulders with other world-class and renowned business moguls as she has gradually built her career to the international stage.
Tuggar: Tinubu Committed to Nigeria’s Food Security, Safeguarding Land Rights
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has assured of federal government’s commitment to safeguarding land rights while boosting agricultural productivity.
He gave this assurance on Sunday to farmers and pastoralists in Udobo, Gamawa local government area of Bauchi State, during a community engagement in the historic agrarian town.
He outlined President Bola Tinubu’s plans to combat food insecurity through rural empowerment, science-driven farming, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The minister who lamented that though Udubo was a hub of Nigeria’s agricultural output between 1960s–70s but the story has changed because the community had been largely neglected by the state government for decades as floods and climate change continue to impact lives and harvest, however stating that thanks to the urgent support from the federal government the situation has started improving.
Tuggar praised the community’s enduring potential, stating that: “This land fed nations. We aim to revive that legacy without displacing those who till it.”
Tuggar detailed President Tinubu’s strategy for Udobo and similar communities by promising to protect the farmers’ lands.
He pledged that: “No one will lose their land. Grow what you eat first; we’ll help you sell the surplus.”
The Minister also added that with support from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the federal government will optimize water access via Udobo’s fadama wetlands and introduce climate-smart tools that help optimize agricultural output and further impact the lives of the community.
The Minister also revealed the various measures he took as the Minister of Foreign Affairs to assist the victims of last year’s flood that devastated a lot of communities in the local government which included the Udubo community.
Following devastating floods, ECOWAS—secured through Tuggar’s diplomatic efforts—and federal agencies will fund resilient infrastructure.
Hajiya Aisha, one of the beneficiaries of the support thanked Ambassador Tuggar for not abandoning them. She said the community has been neglected by the state for decades without any tangible measure to help them fight climate change that worsen flooding.
“We are very grateful to Tuggar for his support to our community. I am sure the fertilizers he gave us will help a lot of farmers during the upcoming raining season,” she said.
Youth leader Musa Adamu Udubo urged the minister to curb urban migration by increasing support for farmers.
“Empowerment must reach young farmers to curb urban migration. We are grateful to the minister for his diplomatic efforts to bring a sustainable development to our community. He has fulfilled his promise to support us and we will not forget this massive support.”
Ambassador Tuggar relayed President Tinubu’s vow to cushion the impact of economic reforms. “Pain is temporary; progress is permanent. Microcredit schemes and subsidized machinery will soon follow,” he said.
“Food security is national security. Udobo’s revival symbolizes our resolve: a Nigeria where no farmer fears progress,” Tuggar said.
Angolan Arrested at Kano Airport with 120 Ingested Wraps of Turkey-bound Cocaine
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman Mbala Dajou Abuba at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano for attempting to traffic a large consignment of cocaine, which he ingested, to Istanbul Turkey.
A statement by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Sunday, said Abuba who is from the Zaire province in Angola was arrested last Tuesday at the screening point of the Kano airport while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo.
Babafemi said after Abuba body scan result confirmed he ingested illicit drug, he was placed under excretion observation during which he expelled 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilogrammes in seven excretions.
In his statement, the suspect claimed he was into the business of township delivery services in Angola before delving into the illicit drug trade.
The spokesman said a similar attempt by an auto spare parts dealer, Okeke Igwe, to send two parcels of 1.1 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was thwarted by NDLEA operatives who arrested him last Monday following credible intelligence.
Babafemi said during interrogation, the suspect claimed that he is a businessman selling auto parts in ASPANDA, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos State.
Babafemi also revealed that the bid by another suspect, Ezechi Cyprian to move a large consignment of cocaine weighing 5.4 kilogrammes to Owerri, Imo state in his Toyota Sienna bus on Sunday 23rd February was frustrated by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA who arrested him following weeks of intelligence and surveillance.
At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives last Friday discovered a total of 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in two matrasses in the trunk of a Toyota Venza car imported from Canada. The discovery of the 63.75 kilogrammes consignment was made during a joint examination of a targeted container marked TCNU 1945861 from Montreal, Canada, by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies. The consignee of the shipment, 44-year-old Bamidele Joseph has been arrested and taken into custody.
In Delta state, NDLEA operatives supported by the military last Thursday stormed a forest in Innam-Abbi/Orogun community, Ndokwa West local government area where they destroyed over 50,000 kilogrammes cannabis on a 20-hectare farm land. Five suspects arrested during the raid include: Augustine Subaru, 45; Ukoba Malachukwu, 53; Odalonu Emmanuel, 40; Esuabom Macaulay, 35; and Itoje Safe, 54.
In another operation in Delta, NDLEA operatives last Friday intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck marked AWK 791 ZJ along Abraka-Orogun road. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 101 bags of skunk with a total weight of 1,111 kilogrammes.
In Edo state, NDLEA officers supported by the military on Saturday raided the Okpuje community in Owan West local government area where they destroyed over 100 jumbo bags of skunk in warehouses and recovered a total of 1,409.5 kilogrammes of the psychoactive substance for the prosecution of arrested suspects: Oikelomen Osere, 38 and Glory Iroyo, 42.
Babafemi said while a suspect, Michael Omoloki, 46, was arrested with 58.5 kilogrammes of skunk at the Ibadan end of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway, Oyo state, operatives in Kwara state last Monday nabbed a Beninoise, Lawali Mohammed with 2,980 tablets of tramadol and dozens of diazepam pills at Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin.
In Osun, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Ibadan/ Gbongan expressway lastt Thursday intercepted a consignment of 1.05 kilogrammes skunk concealed in detergent soap and biscuit carton, while Sunday Ogbu, 45, was arrested in connection with the seizure. A suspect Ayuba Mustapha, 30, was arrested at Tsafe, Zamfara state with 24,700 pills of tramadol on Sunday 23rd February.
In Borno state, Mustapha Shettima, 50, was arrested by NDLEA operatives with 31 kilogrammes skunk, 1,000 pills of tramadol and N720,000 monetary exhibit along Bama road, Maiduguri last Wednesday, while Adamu Idris, 40, was nabbed along Zaria road, Kano, same day with 140 blocks of cannabis weighing 73.5 kilogrammes.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, MAKIA, SOU, Tincan, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Kano, Osun, Borno, Zamfara and Kwara commands if the agency for the arrests and seizures, stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
Ramadan: NEDC Distributes Food, Non-food Items to Physically-challenged, Widows, Orphans in Northeast
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has distributed food and non-food items to vulnerable groups in Borno State to ease hardships during the Ramadan period.
The relief materials which include rice, spaghetti, mats, plastic buckets, cups, cooking pots, wrappers, shadda brocades, children’s clothing, mattresses, and other essentials, were given at the weekend to persons with disabilities, widows, orphans, religious groups, and selected households across the 27 local government areas of Borno state.
The distribution also includes 2,200 blankets, 3,498 wrappers, 1,398 sets of children’s clothing, 3,609 mats, and 16,529 packages of noodles.
Speaking during the flag off of the distribution in Maiduguri, the Borno State Coordinator of the NEDC, Engr. Mohammed Watsada, who represented the Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable.
He said: “This initiative is in line with the directives of our Managing Director to extend support to those in need, especially during Ramadan. Over 3,500 beneficiaries will receive food and non-food items, ensuring they can observe the season with ease.”
The NEDC in order to ensure the items reach everyone at the nooks and crannies of the state donation the items to lawmakers and the Borno State Government for onward distribution across communities.
The Commission also extend similar gesture to the other five states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Taraba, in the North East geopolitical zone.
Kebbi Gov Appreciates KSRelief, NEMA for Food Support to Vulnerable Households
The Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, has appreciated a Saudi Arabia based international humanitarian organization, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) for providing food assistance distributed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to vulnerable persons in the state.
Speaking at the flag-off distribution of the items in Birnin Kebbi, the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Umar Abubakar also commended NEMA for always being timely in responding to disasters in the state.
The Governor said that the timely distribution of the KSrelief food items few days before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, embodies the spirit of sacrifice and compassion inherent in the gesture.
In her remarks, the Director General NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, noted that KSrelief has partnered with the agency since 2018 to deliver food baskets to households affected by insecurity and other vulnerable households. However, she said Kebbi State was benefitting for the first time from the gesture.
The Director General NEMA who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Fatima Kasim, explained that 2,450 households had been profiled to receive the food assistance in Kebbi State, noting that each household will receive a 59.8-kilogram food basket containing essential items such as rice, beans, masa vita, cooking oil, and seasoning.
She acknowledged that the humanitarian effort by KSrelief aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to improving citizens’ welfare and reducing vulnerability to disasters.
The KSRelief items were distributed directly to vulnerable perons profile by NEMA in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency at Birnin Kebbi, Dandi, Gwandu, Shonga, Argungu and Augie Local Government Areas of the state.
NDDC Celebrates Niger Delta Tradition, Hosts Cultural Expo
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has brought together cultural troupes from the nine Niger Delta states to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Speaking at the Niger Delta Arts and Culture Expo organised by the NDDC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting the unique traditions of the Niger Delta people.
Ogbuku who was represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, highlighted the need to deepen the significance of Niger Delta’s cultural heritage beyond entertainment.
He noted: “Africans are known and respected for their culture. Nigerians, and particularly Niger Deltans, are born into an enviable heritage that must not be allowed to die. The current leadership in the NDDC has put this event together to remind us of who we are and to showcase the depth of our cultural wealth to the world.”
Ogbuku observed that the Arts and Culture Expo, with the theme: “Echoes of Our Heritage: Celebrating Niger Delta’s Rich Cultural Legacy,” provided a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region, which included the traditional music, dance performances, and a lecture on the legacies of the people of the Niger Delta region.
The keynote speaker, Dr Samuel Dede, a renowned actor and scholar, affirmed the importance of sustaining our cultural values, stating that it was wrong to perceive cultural festivals as mere entertainment.
He highlighted the need for cultural events that portray the struggles, resilience, and social advocacy of the Niger Delta people, rather than just performances for government dignitaries.
Dede emphasised that cultural heritage entailed more than performances. He noted that “it includes rites, traditions, indigenous knowledge, political beliefs, language, food, art, and even digital cultures that will shape the future.”
The Arts and Culture Expo featured colourful dance presentations by women groups from the nine Niger Delta states, cultural troupes, and a variety of traditional displays, all showcasing the diversity of the region’s artistic expressions.
The NDDC presented awards to outstanding dance troupes, winners of Mr. and Mrs Niger Delta, as contributors to Niger Delta’s cultural promotion.
Solar-powered Water Project at Ilepa Quarters, Ikare, One of Our Achievements in 25 Years – NDDC
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been working in the past twenty-five years to meet up with the needs of people living in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
For instance, in Ilepa Quarters, Ikare in Akoko North East Local Government Area, the NDDC made portable water available to residents when it carried out the construction/rehabilitation of a solar-powered water project in the area.
Residents of the community are grateful to the NDDC for ensuring that Ilepa Quarters in Ikare now has access to clean and safe drinking water.
