…..As the Governor Prepares to Deliver Keynote on Diaspora Investment

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize by the Millennium Excellence Award USA.

In a letter from the Board of Directors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF), the award was conferred on Governor Sanwo-Olu after a rigorous selection process that recognised the extraordinary achievements and developmental trajectory of Lagos State under his leadership.

The letter stated: “The Board has unanimously resolved to confer upon His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu one of the most prestigious honours bestowed under the auspices of the Foundation – the Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize by the Millennium Excellence Award USA.”

The award is conferred under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene of Kumasi. The Asantehene, regarded as one of Africa’s most respected monarchs, will personally present the honour alongside Her Royal Highness Lady Julia, Queen Consort, at the ceremony.

The Millennium Excellence Awards USA recognises outstanding individuals of African heritage and global contributors who have made significant impact in business, science, arts, philanthropy, and public service.

The ceremony will take place at the Warner Theatre, Washington D.C., on Saturday, 29th August 2026, with the Red Carpet commencing at 2:30 p.m.

Governor Sanwo-Olu will deliver a keynote address on positioning Lagos State, Africa’s largest sub-national economy, to diaspora communities. The address aims to attract investment in urban infrastructure, finance, and the state’s pipeline of investment-ready projects.

He will also participate in other sessions, including “Government Addresses: The Political Will Behind the Deal,” plenaries, and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening economic and social ties between Lagos and the diaspora.

Past laureates include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Kofi Annan, Mo Ibrahim, Wole Soyinka, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and President John Dramani Mahama.

• Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah

The United States government is availing $125,000 grant for the presentation of the historic Lejja iron-smelting site in Enugu State.

This was disclosed in a statement by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos , yesterday, emphasising that the fund will support the conservation, 3D digital documentation and physical preservation of the site, which dates to approximately 2000 BC.

The U.S. Consul General, Brandon Hudspeth, noted that the Lejja Iron-Smelting Site tells a 4,000-year-old story of ingenuity, innovation and technological sophistication.

The fund was provided through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) to the Centre for Memories in Enugu to support the digital documentation and physical preservation of the historic Lejja iron-smelting site in Enugu State.

According to the Consulate, the project will support the conservation, 3D digital documentation and physical preservation of the site, which dates to approximately 2000 BC.

The project’s implementation by the Centre for Memories, led by U.S. exchange alumnus, Iheanyi Igboko, reflects the enduring connections forged through the Cultural Heritage Forward program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State and organised in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute .

• [File photo] David Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said he will visit the Benin-Asaba federal highway today in response to the widespread complaints, protests and severe gridlock caused by the deteriorating condition of the road.

Umahi disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, according to a video shared on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.

The minister said that he would meet with independent engineers, the concessionaire handling the project and the state government to find a solution to the worsening situation.

“On Tuesday, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem,” Umahi said.

He explained that the poor state of the road was linked to the Federal Government’s attempt to involve the private sector in road development through concession arrangements.

“It’s not caused by Ministry of Works; it’s caused by, you know, our attempt to involve private sector in road development, as it’s done in other places,” he said.