Nigeria Times

An Icon of Excellence, Integrity, and Purpose: Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative Celebrates Chinelo Anohu as Woman of Impact in Africa 2026

Recognition by ARISE MEDIA GROUP Commemorates International Women’s Month and Honors a Trailblazer in African Development

The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) proudly celebrates our own Mme Chinelo Anohu —governance expert, distinguished public servant, development leader, private sector advocate, accomplished entrepreneur, and woman of remarkable substance—following her selection as Woman of Impact in Africa 2026. This prestigious honor, conferred by the ARISE MEDIA GROUP in commemoration of International Women’s Month, recognizes her unwavering dedication to Pan-African development, selfless service to humanity, and transformative contributions across the continent.

From her pivotal roles at the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to her current leadership at Mutandis Africa Group, Mme Chinelo Anohu has consistently driven transformational success. Her visionary stewardship has not only shaped the institutions she has led but has also inspired a generation of young Africans, women, and members of the diaspora. Across the continent, she has carved a niche as a beacon of hope and an Amazon to the less privileged—proving that leadership with heart can indeed change lives.

This recognition stands as a powerful affirmation of a life devoted to excellence, service, and uncommon leadership. Anohu’s career reflects a rare synthesis of intellectual depth, professional discipline, moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to building institutions that matter. Her selection followed a rigorous nomination and vetting process spanning Africa and the global community—a testament to the breadth and depth of her impact.

A Reform-Minded Leader at PENCOM

As former Director General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Mrs. Anohu Chinelo distinguished herself as a highly principled reformer. Steering the affairs of Nigeria’s apex pension regulatory agency, she brought clarity, order, and professionalism to pension administration—instilling investor and stakeholder confidence at levels never before witnessed. Her leadership was marked by transparency, firmness, and a profound sense of responsibility, setting benchmarks for effective public service. Her strong foundations and sustainability pillars endure to this day.

Championing Africa’s Development Agenda

Her influence extended far beyond national borders during her tenure at the helm of the Africa Investment Forum, a flagship initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and seven other members. In that role, she helped structure critical transactions around Africa’s development future, championing African-driven solutions and forging strategic partnerships that elevated the continent’s standing in multinational transactions. She demonstrated, time and again, that Africa’s progress is best advanced by leaders who understand its realities and are unafraid to transform potential into reality.

Entrepreneurial Vision and Impact

In the private sector, as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mutandis Africa Group, Mme. Anohu continues to exemplify visionary leadership. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects courage, foresight, and an enduring belief in Africa’s capacity for growth and innovation. Through her work, she has unlocked opportunities in multi billion projects, facilitating policies that enhance investments and strengthened sovereign discourse for inspired confidence in African enterprise, and contributes tangibly to sustainable economic development across the continent.

A Beacon for Women and Girls Across Africa

Beyond the offices she has held and the institutions she has led, Mme Chinelo Anohu represents something profoundly powerful for women across Africa. She is living proof that competence, integrity, and hard work remain the most enduring currencies of influence. Her journey sends an unmistakable message to women and girls everywhere: that leadership is attainable, that excellence is non-negotiable, and that impact is possible—even in the most challenging environments. She stands as a source of encouragement to women striving quietly, breaking barriers steadily, and building futures with determination and grace.

A Celebration of Legacy and Purpose

The award ceremony, scheduled for March 8, 2026, in Lagos, is more than a celebration of individual achievement—it is a tribute to a legacy defined by service, resilience, and purpose. It offers a moment to honour a woman whose work continues to inspire confidence in Africa’s leadership capacity and whose example will guide generations yet to come.

The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative proudly congratulates Mme Chinelo Anohu on this well-deserved and meritorious recognition. We also commend the ARISE MEDIA GROUP for spotlighting leadership that truly reflects the very best of African excellence. Mme Chinelo Anohu’s story is a compelling reminder that when leadership is anchored in strong values and clear vision, its impact transcends borders and endures across time.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) has identified ‘serious logical gaps’ in claims made by Mrs Tracy Ohiri against the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, while calling for restraint and adherence to due process following a public confrontation by activist Omoyele Sowore.

It will be recalled that on the 25th of February 2026 at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command in Abuja, a confrontation occurred involving Mr Sowore and the Minister of Works. A widely circulated video shows Mr Sowore publicly accusing the Minister of misusing police authority in relation to an alleged private dispute involving Mrs Tracy Nicholas Ohiri.

COCSON after carefully analysing the issue, presented a fact driven position during a press conference addressed by its National President, Olawale Oladimeji on Friday in Abuja.

The Coalition revealed that it will be organizing a solidarity rally in support of the Minister on the Tuesday 3rd of March, 2026 to counter a rally against the Minister proposed by Sowore and his cohorts.

The group maintained that the accuser’s accounts were inconsistent and contradictory, a position that could be attested by members of the public who have followed the developments, while warning against what it described as “sensationalism disguised as activism.”

Central to the allegations is a claim that Umahi owes ₦24.5 million for campaign materials allegedly supplied during the 2015 Ebonyi State governorship election. In separate online narratives, a ₦250 million figure has also been mentioned, creating what COCSON described as “inconsistencies” in the claims.

The minister’s office has maintained that the matter is under lawful review and that the allegations lack verifiable documentation.

On the way forward, COCSON reaffirmed that no citizen is above the law but cautioned against public condemnation without proof, insisting that “Justice must be evidence driven. Governance must not be derailed by distraction.”

The group also called on investigative authorities to conclude their work without politicization, insisting that accountability must be rooted in verifiable facts and institutional processes.

“COCSON shall be organizing a solidarity rally in support of the Minister on the Tuesday 3rd of March, 2026 to counter a rally against the Minister. We ask Nigeria to join us to shame Sowore and his cohorts and not to join the proposed rally against the Minister,” Oladimeji stated.

Other salient observations and issues raised by COCSON’s findings are as follows:

Questions Over Documentation and Timing

COCSON said its internal review identified “serious logical gaps” in the allegations. The coalition questioned the absence of written contracts, delivery notes, acknowledgments of receipt, and documented demands for payment dating back to 2015.

“Governorship campaigns operate through structured committees and documented procurement processes,” the group said, arguing that transactions worth millions of naira would not typically rest on verbal agreements alone.

The coalition also raised concerns about the timeline, asking why the issue surfaced publicly nearly a decade after the alleged transaction. It noted that Nigeria’s judicial system provides mechanisms for civil debt recovery, including demand letters, arbitration, and court filings.

“Timing in public life is rarely accidental,” COCSON stated, suggesting that the delay in public escalation warrants scrutiny.

Call for Due Process

COCSON emphasized that while freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, it must operate within the bounds of evidence and legality.

“If there is evidence, let it be presented in court. If there is documentation, let it be tested legally,” the coalition said.

The group stressed that private contractual disputes should be resolved through the courts rather than through “viral confrontations staged for public spectacle,” warning against the growing trend of social media being used as a substitute for legal institutions.

Institutional Integrity and Governance

Defending the minister’s public record, COCSON highlighted Umahi’s tenure as former governor of Ebonyi State and his current oversight of federal road infrastructure projects, describing the office as “performance measured and high pressure.”

The coalition argued that governance should not be disrupted by unverified allegations circulating online and urged Nigerians to resist what it termed “emotional manipulation.”

*Says, any misconduct allegation must first be referred to National Judicial Council

The Coalition Alliance for Justice and Rule of Law (CAJROL) has condemned in strong terms the ongoing media trial and prejudicial online publication against the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Tsoho, alleging breaches of the Code of Conduct.

In a statement made available by it’s
Executive Director, CAJROL Dr. John Alushaji and made available to journalists on Thursday, the Coalition maintained that as a serving judicial officer, any misconduct allegation must first be referred to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

According to the Coalition, the NJC IS the sole constitutionally empowered body under Paragraph 21(b), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The Supreme Court affirmed this in FRN v. Nganjima (2022) LPELTR-58066(SC), ruling that no judicial officer can be subjected to any form of investigation and or prosecution without first having recourse to the disciplinary powers vested on the National Judicial Council.

Prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have warned that such media trials erode judicial independence and public trust. CORAL views the unauthorized publication of purported Code of Conduct Bureau findings as an attempt at blackmail and perversion of justice, violating Section 36’s fair hearing guarantee.

CAJROL urges the Federal Government of Nigeria not to allow a repeat of the incident involving the former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen which later resulted in an out-of-court settlement.  

“This reckless media trial and conviction bypasses due process and threatens Nigeria’s democracy. No one is above the law, but the rule of law demands NJC primacy—full stop. We demand immediate retraction of the prejudicial publication, an end to distractions from blackmailers, investigation of its source, and prevention of repeats like the Onnoghen case”, Dr. Alushaji stated.

The Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ) has commended the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for his prompt response and proactive leadership following the recent fire outbreak at Singa Market in Kano State.

In a press statement signed on Tuesday by Comrade Zubaida Aliyu Muhammed, GOCMEJ described the Controller General’s immediate visit to the scene of the incident as a strong demonstration of responsive leadership and genuine commitment to public safety.

The organisation noted that the on-the-spot assessment carried out by the Fire Service boss reflects a high level of administrative responsibility and operational diligence, particularly in ensuring that emergency containment efforts were sustained through damping-down operations to prevent possible re-ignition of the fire.

GOCMEJ further applauded the Controller General for aligning his actions with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing the coordination between policy leadership and operational command as a commendable model of institutional synergy.

According to the civil society group, the engagement of market stakeholders during the visit demonstrates a strategic and inclusive approach to disaster prevention. The organisation praised the initiative to hold discussions with traders and market leaders on practical fire risk reduction measures, stressing that such collaboration is critical in safeguarding commercial centres that serve as major economic lifelines for citizens.

GOCMEJ particularly lauded the announcement of plans to establish strategically located fire stations across major markets in Kano, describing the move as a forward-thinking intervention capable of significantly improving emergency response time and strengthening fire safety infrastructure within densely populated trading hubs.

The Guild emphasised that proactive disaster management initiatives such as this not only protect lives and livelihoods but also promote economic stability by reducing vulnerability to recurring fire outbreaks in commercial environments.

The organisation further recognised the dedication and professionalism of firefighters who have remained actively engaged at the scene, noting that their resilience and sacrifice continue to reinforce public confidence in emergency response institutions.

GOCMEJ maintained that the leadership style demonstrated by the Controller General reflects accountability, foresight, and service-driven governance, adding that such qualities remain essential for strengthening national safety frameworks.

The statement concluded by encouraging continued collaboration between emergency response agencies, government authorities, and commercial stakeholders, noting that shared responsibility and sustained awareness remain key to preventing future disasters and ensuring safer business environments across Nigeria.

By Liu Xinwu, People’s Daily

Chongqing, a pivotal hub in China’s intelligent vehicle industry, is transforming its urban roads into digital proving grounds for automotive innovation.

At a demonstration zone in the Western Science City Innovation Center of Intelligent and Connected Vehicle (WICV) in the city, an autonomous electric vehicle recently navigated a scenario emblematic of real-world challenges: as a pedestrian stepped onto a crosswalk, roadside sensors instantly detected the movement, relayed data to the cloud, and triggered a command for the vehicle to slow down and yield — all without human intervention.

This facility exemplifies a future where vehicles communicate, roads perceive, and cloud platforms orchestrate decisions. 

“In the demonstration zone, all data streams integrate and update in real time,” said Chang Xueyang, deputy director of the cloud control technology center at the WICV, gesturing to a live monitoring screen. “Through vehicle–road–cloud integration, these routes function as as true digital training grounds.”

Unlike conventional closed test tracks, this 50-kilometers network spans complex urban environments — from highways and interchange to neighborhood streets — simulating real-world situations such as pedestrians and cyclists crossing, or broken-down vehicles blocking lanes.

“For test vehicle, every run is a real-traffic simulation,” Chang noted. “And for the road’s intelligent system, every day delivers stress testing under authentic loads.”

The zone supports not only intelligent connected new energy vehicles, but all vehicle types. With the installation of compliant communication terminals and positioning devices, ordinary private cars, logistics vehicles, and buses can access the system and upgrade their connectivity capabilities. 

While benefiting from enhanced safety and convenience, these vehicles also contribute large volumes of real-world data. To date, the system has connected with more than 1,000 vehicles of various types.

“With just a small device installed, our logistics vehicles can run on an intelligent connected system. Parcel deliveries are now linked to traffic signals, real-time road conditions and cloud platforms — making trips safer and smoother,” said Li, a logistics vehicle driver.

With continuous accumulation of massive real data — from different vehicle models and driving behaviors — the system’s decision-making models keep evolving, helping innovative technologies move from the lab into broader application.

According to Lai Chenguang, dean of the School of Vehicle Engineering at Chongqing University of Technology, the zone tackles key industry challenges — bridging the gap between closed testing environments and real-world traffic conditions, and eliminating long-standing “information silos” across systems.

“By combining single-vehicle intelligence with networked capabilities, the zone allows automakers to validate technology in realistic scenarios, reduce research and development (R&D) and mass-production risks, and ultimately accelerate the commercialization of intelligent driving-assistance systems,” he added.

Policy innovation further fuels progress. Chongqing has introduced a series of targeted policies to promote full coverage of perception, decision-making, and control services based on vehicle–road–cloud integration within the demonstration area. 

At the same time, the city has explored institutional innovations to address key obstacles to open-road testing, such as fragmented management, road access restrictions, and data fragmentation.

These efforts include breaking down departmental barriers and promoting coordinated governance among transportation, industry and information technology, and public security authorities; innovating test license issuance and traffic accident insurance mechanisms to reduce constraints on road testing; and establishing unified data sharing and security platforms to enable cross-system integration of vehicle, road, and cloud.

With targeted policy support in place, road-testing scenarios have expanded rapidly, generating strong spillover effects for industrial development. 

Attracted by the testing environment, 15 automakers have conducted joint testing under unified standards. Test vehicles from companies such as Toyota and Changan have accumulated extensive datasets, accelerating iteration in connected driver-assistance systems and virtual–real integrated testing technologies. 

Supporting enterprises like AI Drive and West Genesis have emerged with robust R&D platforms and order-filled product pipelines. Meanwhile, institutions like China Merchant Testing Vehicle Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. advance innovations such as full-vehicle thermal runaway simulation for safety design.

Today, Chongqing‘s Western Science City has brought together more than 60 intelligent connected vehicle-related enterprises, spanning vehicle manufacturing, key components, charging infrastructure, and autonomous driving operations.

Today, Chongqing hosts more than 270 automotive R&D institutions, including a State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Vehicle Safety Technology. The city has launched an automotive “industrial brain” platform and established four future-ready factories in the automotive sector. 

Besides, Chongqing is now home to 754 high-tech enterprises and 3,543 technology-based enterprises in the automotive industry.