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• October 3, 2025
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CEO of Versa Farms Condemns Killings in Kwara

CEO of Versa Farms Condemns Killings in Kwara

Kayode Tokede

Kwara State farmer and Chief Executive Officer of Versa Farms, Nigeria’s largest tomato farm, Ibrahim Toyeeb, has condemned the recent spate of deadly attacks across the state, calling for urgent intervention to protect lives and safeguard the region’s fragile economy.

Toyeeb, whose company is one of the largest employers of labour in the area, expressed deep pain at the killings and displacement of residents.

He warned that unless decisive action is taken, Kwara South risks becoming an economic dead zone, driving away investors and undermining the livelihoods of thousands.

His statement follows coordinated attacks on communities in Kwara South and neighbouring areas, including Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left scores dead, several injured, and several people abducted.

While mourning the victims, Toyeeb voiced sharp frustration at what he described as the continuing silence and inadequate action from two federal figures-Senator Oyelola Ashiru, who represents Kwara South in the Senate, and Hon Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, who chairs the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.

He urged both men to show leadership by spearheading a coordinated response to protect lives, restore investors’ confidence, and save the region from economic collapse. He stressed that the “not very good” representation and poor performance of elected officers from the area have contributed to the crisis, as their failure to advocate for their people in Abuja consistently has limited the Federal Government’s impact in Kwara South.

“I mourn every life taken. I mourn every family uprooted. I mourn every field left untended. My people sleep in fear. Silence from those elected to protect us is not neutrality; it is, to us, abandonment. We call on Senator Ashiru and Honourable Olawuyi to show leadership, to convene security partners, and to secure our communities now. Why has this situation not been mentioned boldly on the floor of the National Assembly? Representation without advocacy is no representation at all.”

Toyeeb emphasised that this appeal is not partisan and not intended to inflame tensions. Rather, it is a practical call for a sequence of immediate actions that he believes would arrest the crisis and begin the work of recovery: deploy targeted security reinforcements to affected communities; identify and secure vulnerable points, establish a joint federal-state security task force with clear lines of command and public reporting, conduct rapid humanitarian assessments and provide urgent relief to displaced families, launch a transparent investigation into the attacks and publish a time-bound action plan, and convene local leaders, security officials and civil society to create community-led protection measures.

He also urged the state governor and security agencies to sustain the recent measures announced in the wake of the attacks and to prioritise intelligence-led operations that protect civilians while upholding the rule of law.

The farmer welcomed calls by the state executive for increased military and security deployments to the affected areas, and he urged that any such deployments be paired with clear, local engagement and relief for victims. 

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Kayode Tokede Kwara State farmer and Chief Executive Officer of Versa Farms, Nigeria’s largest tomato farm, Ibrahim Toyeeb, has condemned the recent spate of deadly attacks across the state, calling

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Northern CAN: Insecurity, Hardship, Threats to Nigeria’s Founding Ideals

Northern CAN: Insecurity, Hardship, Threats to Nigeria’s Founding Ideals

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has warned that insecurity and economic hardship are eroding the ideals on which Nigeria was founded.

In a statement to mark the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1, CAN called on Nigerian leaders to reflect soberly on the future of the country.

The statement said: “65 years after gaining freedom from the colonial rule provides an opportunity for sober reflection on our journey as a people, the state of our nation, and the future we must build together.”

The statement signed by the factional Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, noted that while some progress has been made, many founding dreams remain unfulfilled.

Pam cited poverty, unemployment, and the lack of access to healthcare, education, and electricity as major setbacks for Nigerians.

The group lamented that the gap between government policies and the realities of citizens continues to widen.

On security, Pam said Nigerians live in fear amid terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence.

The association noted that thousands of innocent Nigerians have been displaced by bandits and terrorists, and called on the government to restore peace and ensure justice for victims, regardless of region or religion. They decried the weakening of the nation’s currency and poor economic decisions, adding that: “The dignity of human life is being eroded by the daily struggle for survival.”

The association called for leadership rooted in integrity, equity, and justice.

“The time has come to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible change that uplifts all Nigerians,” the statement said.

Pam urged leaders to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and protect citizens’ rights, warning against using ethnic and religious divisions to undermine national unity.

“Northern CAN reaffirms its commitment to pray for Nigeria and encourages Christians to remain hopeful and engage in building a better nation.

“Let us not lose faith in the power of God to transform our land.  Nigeria belongs to all of us, and its future depends on the choices we make today, “Pam said.

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John Shiklam in Kaduna The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has warned that insecurity and economic hardship are eroding the

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Court Hears Dispute on 5% Equity Stake in Pan African Towers Case

Court Hears Dispute on 5% Equity Stake in Pan African Towers Case

Wale Igbintade

The 2023 acquisition of Pan African Towers (PAT) has sparked a high-stakes shareholder-rights battle, as former CEO Azeez Amida drags private equity giants Development Partners International (DPI), Verod Capital, and their limited partners before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

 At  the heart of the dispute, marked as Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/608/2025, is Amida’s claim that the investors reneged on a binding agreement to allocate him a five per cent equity stake under a management buy-out (MBO) arrangement that facilitated the takeover of PAT.

Justice Akintayo Aluko had ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and respect pending applications—including an interlocutory injunction seeking to block any sale or transfer of DPI and Verod’s stake in PAT until the case is resolved.

At the last hearing, Amida’s counsel, Prof. ’Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, alerted the court to what he described as a “deliberate plan” by the defendants to offload equity in PAT Holding Limited, the vehicle used for the acquisition.

The defendants—including DPI, Verod Capital Management Limited, Verod Capital Growth Fund III LP, African Development Partners III LP, and PAT Holding Limited were absent and unrepresented in court.

While Amida is seeking interim orders to protect his alleged stake, the defendants have filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit.

Justice Aluko, however, declined to freeze the shareholding structure in advance, stating that such relief would be determined when the injunction motion is argued. 

The matter has been adjourned to January 15, 2026, for consolidation and hearing of pending applications

Court filings reveal that Amida, who became CEO of PAT in 2022 amid financial distress, spearheaded a turnaround that saw revenues rise from N10 billion to N15 billion, while EBITDA grew from N4 billion to N6.5 billion in his first year. Liabilities were reduced, and key telco contracts were renewed.

With the company’s original shareholders seeking an exit, Amida proposed a local MBO to keep the business Nigerian-owned.

 He introduced DPI and Verod as financing partners, and together they acquired PAT.

Amida maintained that a signed term sheet, clearly documented his entitlement to a five per cent  equity stake. 

Despite repeated post-closing discussions, he alleged the allocation was never finalised, and in November 2024, he was ousted as CEO, even though the company’s performance had reportedly quadrupled under his leadership.

He accused the investors of withholding his promised equity, thereby breaching both shareholder and contractual rights.

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Wale Igbintade The 2023 acquisition of Pan African Towers (PAT) has sparked a high-stakes shareholder-rights battle, as former CEO Azeez Amida drags private equity giants Development Partners International (DPI), Verod