A World War Two veteran has celebrated her 105th birthday with friends, family and visitors from the RAF.

Ivy Meenan, who was born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) – the women’s branch of the British Army – during the conflict, joining when she was 20 years old.

She was based in Cornwall, where she worked as a range finder with an anti-aircraft gun unit, helping to target enemy bombers.

More than 80 years later, she marked her special birthday on Monday with a party at Wilson Keys retirement home in Rugeley, where she is a resident.

Asked what her secret to old age was, she told BBC Midlands Today: “It’s a mystery to me – living a good life and a happy marriage.” She added: “I tell you what I do a lot of…. sleeping. When I sit here by myself, I doze off.”

Meenan was with the ATS for four years. She met her late husband Johnnie, who was serving for the RAF in Cornwall, at a dance in March 1942.

Speaking of how vital her role was, she said: “I was one of many, one of many. Strangely enough, although it was so sad, I enjoyed my time in the ATS.”
She praised the Spitfire and the work of their pilots during the War, adding: “If it wasn’t for the Spitfire, I don’t know what we’d have done. It was a marvellous aircraft.”

As well as receiving a visit from RAF officials, Meenan spent her birthday with other residents and with her family.

Resident Joyce Clark described her as “absolutely amazing”, while another, Susan Miles, said she was a “joy to all who know her”.
Meenan’s son Peter said: “[She’s] 105 and she’s achieved such a lot. It’s very strange to be approaching 80 and still have a mother who thinks you’re adolescent.”

Her niece Gillian Loader said the whole family were “proud, privileged and honoured” to have had her in their lives for so long.
“She just doesn’t realise how special she is and we love her to bits,” she added.
BBC

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, has once again demonstrated his commitment to staff welfare by donating two buses to members of staff of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF.

The Permanent Secretary (GSO) Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni who representated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at
the donation ceremony held today Friday, 10th July 2026 at the OSGF premises in Abuja described the gesture as a clear demonstration of fatherly love, care and appreciation.

Presenting the buses, Senator Akume said the gesture is aimed at easing transportation challenges for staff and boosting morale and productivity within the Office. He noted that staff remain the engine room of government and deserve support that promotes their well-being in-line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“This is my own little way of showing love and appreciation to you all for your dedication, loyalty and hard work in service to our nation. I encourage you to continue to give your best in the discharge of your duties,” the SGF stated.

He further urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the buses and ensure they are properly maintained for the collective benefit of staff.

In his remarks, representatives of staff and the Chairman of Joint Council Union, Comrade Paul Idowu expressed gratitude to the SGF for the kind gesture. He described the donation as unprecedented and a clear demonstration of Senator Akume’s fatherly disposition and people-oriented leadership.

On behalf of the staff, he pledged to reciprocate the gesture with renewed commitment, diligence and patriotism in the performance of their duties.

The presentation ceremony was witnessed by some top management staff of the OSGF and some party faithful of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Benue State led by its Chairman, Mr. Austin Agada.

Signed:
Chris Ugwuegbulam
Head, Information and Public Relations
10th July, 2026.

The project will combine a large-scale steel manufacturing complex with a dedicated solar power plant and the proposed AIG Industrial Park, reflecting Nigeria’s growing push to reduce manufacturers’ dependence on the country’s unreliable electricity grid.

Raj Gupta, Chairman of African Industries Group, described the land allocation as historic, saying the solar installation could become the largest in Nigeria and potentially the biggest supporting a steel operation anywhere in West Africa or sub-Saharan Africa.

The investment aligns with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s broader ambition to position Niger State as Nigeria’s next major industrial corridor.
The governor announced plans to gazette an additional 200,000 hectares of industrial land stretching toward Kaduna State, leveraging the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, abundant solar resources and the state’s hydropower assets, including the Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro and Zungeru dams.

Steel Development Minister Shuaibu Audu praised African Industries for growing from a modest steel business into one of West Africa’s largest producers, employing around 10,000 people across its operations. He linked the investment to the federal government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030, with steel expected to play a central role.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment John Enoh said private-sector investments of this scale would be essential to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported steel products while creating jobs and expanding local manufacturing.

Founded more than five decades ago, African Industries Group has grown into one of Nigeria’s largest industrial conglomerates, operating more than 30 manufacturing plants across sectors including steel, mining, chemicals, glass and real estate, according to BillionairesAfrica.

Abuja Steel Mills, the African Industries subsidiary receiving the land, is expanding into utility-scale solar as it seeks to power steel production with renewable energy instead of relying on Nigeria’s unreliable grid and costly diesel generators.

If successful, the project could become a model for how energy-intensive manufacturers across Africa power industrial growth with cleaner, more reliable energy.