🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Lagos State and UNICEF partner to strengthen social protection system
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Lagos State Government is collaborating with the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF to develop a more resilient social protection system. This initiative aims to effectively respond to economic, health, climate, and social shocks impacting vulnerable residents. Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, stated that a recent three-day capacity-building workshop on Shock-Responsive and Adaptive Social Protection was held to enhance stakeholders' ability to deliver sustainable social protection interventions. Mr. Femi Onojimi, Director of Budget, represented Mrs. Ojo and praised UNICEF as a strategic ally in advancing the welfare of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in Lagos State. Mr. Muhammed Okorie, UNICEF's Social Policy and Programme Manager, highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of shocks, such as economic volatility, public health emergencies, and climate change, which disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable households. He emphasized that adaptive social protection improves planning, targeting, and benefit delivery, ensuring quick support during crises. The Lagos State Single Social Register remains a vital tool for identifying vulnerable households. The workshop, attended by various government officials and development partners, focused on strategies for a more responsive, inclusive, and shock-resilient social protection system, with participants commending the practical and impactful train
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc's corporate employee share acquisition vehicle has purchased over 1.23 million ordinary shares from the Nigerian Exchange Limited. The transaction, valued at approximately N921.8 million, was executed across multiple trading tranches on June 19, 2026. This move aims to deepen employee asset ownership and align staff interests with corporate financial goals. Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, confirmed that the purchase is a structured layout under the group’s public operational guidelines and involves the MTNN Employee Share Acquisition scheme, a related party to the issuer. The acquisition was structured across five distinct tranches to navigate market liquidity and maximize price entry points, with a volume-weighted average price of N747.42 per share. Market analysts suggest that such large-scale insider purchases by employee schemes typically provide strong psychological support for public equities, signaling internal confidence in the company’s long-term commercial balance sheet and revenue sustainability. The transactions were carried out under the Legal Entity Identifier 0292003626J3K6UG9D04.
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The Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC is preparing to appeal a Federal High Court ruling that nullified its registration, following marathon strategy meetings involving its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and national leader, Seriake Dickson. The ruling, issued by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside an earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to register the NDC. This decision has heightened political tensions, with opposition leaders suggesting it aims to weaken opposition forces before the 2027 general election. NDC officials, including National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu, confirmed that the appeal would be filed on Monday, June 30, 2026. Enekweizu described the Lokoja judgment as unprecedented and lacking legal foundation, expressing confidence that the party would win on appeal. He asserted that all NDC candidates, including presidential candidate Peter Obi, would be on the ballot for the upcoming elections. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, met with Seriake Dickson in Abuja, stating that no temporary setback would weaken the NDC. He expressed confidence in the party's ability to overcome legal challenges and appealed to members not to be discouraged. The court's decision to set aside the earlier judgment was based on the finding that it was delivered without hearing all affected parties, particularly the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the disputed par