Home Blog Page 20

Davido joins Dangote at Times Square refinery display

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

  • Davido appeared alongside Aliko Dangote at New York’s Times Square.
  • A digital billboard featured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and its public offer.
  • The display carried the message, “Made in Nigeria. Built for the World.”
  • The refinery has a stated nameplate capacity of 700,000 barrels per day.

MAIN STORY

Afrobeats artiste David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, appeared alongside business mogul Aliko Dangote at New York’s Times Square as a digital billboard featured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Davido shared a video of the encounter on social media, showing himself and Dangote standing beneath the billboard, which displayed the message, “Made in Nigeria. Built for the World.”

The display featured the refinery in Lagos and formed part of publicity around its public offer.

The appearance brought together figures associated with two different aspects of Nigeria’s international profile, with Davido representing the country’s global music reach and the refinery representing its large scale industrial investment.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has a stated nameplate capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. Its appearance on the digital billboard placed the Nigerian industrial project in Times Square, one of New York’s major commercial locations.

Information provided on the refinery’s public offer website describes the exercise as “The IPO for the People”. The platform provides details on the offer, including the prospectus, eligibility requirements, subscription process and approved channels for participation.

The website advises prospective investors to read the prospectus and obtain independent professional advice before making an investment decision. It also states that subscriptions should only be made through the approved channels listed on the platform.

The Times Square appearance has attracted attention online, particularly around the meeting of Davido and Dangote and the presentation of a Nigerian industrial project at an international commercial location.

THE ISSUES

  1. The Times Square display links publicity for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s public offer with a highly visible international advertising location.
  2. Davido’s appearance alongside Dangote adds a prominent Nigerian entertainment figure to the publicity around the refinery, bringing together the country’s creative and industrial sectors in the public presentation.
  3. The public offer website directs prospective investors to review the prospectus, understand the eligibility requirements and use only approved subscription channels before participating.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“Made in Nigeria. Built for the World.” – Message displayed on the Times Square billboard

“The IPO for the People” – Dangote Petroleum Refinery public offer website

WHAT’S NEXT

Prospective investors in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery public offer are expected to use the information provided on the offer website, including the prospectus and approved subscription channels, when considering participation.

BOTTOM LINE

The Times Square appearance brought Davido and Aliko Dangote together as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery featured on a digital billboard promoting its public offer. The display has drawn online attention to the refinery and the public offer.

UK to push global AI safety standards, Burnham says

Tinubu welcomes $12m Abuja entrepreneurship centre

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

  • President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship.
  • The centre is funded by South Korea through KOICA and being developed with SMEDAN and UNDP.
  • It will provide workspace, technology, training, incubation and enterprise support.
  • The project targets 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start ups and 1,500 MSMEs.

MAIN STORY

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the development of the $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE), saying the facility will strengthen support for micro, small and medium enterprises and help more Nigerian businesses grow.

The project is being funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and is under development at the SMEDAN Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja.

It is being implemented in partnership with the Federal Government through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, ACE will provide facilities, digital technology, training, incubation and enterprise support for aspiring entrepreneurs, start ups and established businesses seeking to expand.

The centre is expected to serve 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start ups and 1,500 MSMEs. Of the $12 million investment, $5.9 million is allocated to construction, while $6.1 million will fund equipment and programmes.

Tinubu said the facility would address some of the support gaps faced by entrepreneurs seeking to establish and expand businesses.

“Small businesses are an important part of our economy. They employ people, support families and create activity in communities across the country,” he said.

He said many entrepreneurs had the ideas and determination to build businesses but lacked adequate access to facilities, technology, training and other forms of support.

According to him, ACE would provide some of these resources while strengthening the wider ecosystem around entrepreneurs.

“ACE will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation and enterprise support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.

“The centre will serve businesses in Abuja and surrounding cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi and Lokoja.”

The President said the Federal Government would continue to create conditions that allow small businesses to expand, compete and generate employment.

The facility is also designed to improve access for women and persons with disabilities, with accessible facilities and crèche services for women with young children.

While construction continues, SMEDAN, KOICA and UNDP will work with universities, incubators, financial institutions and private sector organisations to establish a broader support network around the centre.

Tinubu thanked the Korean Government for the $12 million investment and commended KOICA, UNDP and SMEDAN for their roles in advancing the project.

THE ISSUES

  1. The centre is designed to address practical support needs faced by entrepreneurs by combining workspace, technology, training, incubation and enterprise support in one facility.
  2. Its target covers entrepreneurs at different stages, from people seeking to establish businesses to start ups and existing MSMEs looking to grow.
  3. The project also extends its intended reach beyond Abuja, with businesses in Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi and Lokoja listed among those the centre will serve.
  4. The inclusion of accessible facilities and crèche services is intended to improve participation by persons with disabilities and women with young children.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“We want more Nigerians to be able to start businesses, grow them and employ others.” – President Bola Tinubu

“The centre is designed to accommodate women and persons with disabilities, with accessible facilities and crèche services for women with young children.” – President Bola Tinubu

“Our economy will be stronger when more Nigerian businesses can start, survive and grow. We must keep building the support around them.” – President Bola Tinubu

WHAT’S NEXT

Construction of the centre will continue while SMEDAN, KOICA and UNDP work with universities, incubators, financial institutions and private sector organisations to develop a wider support system around the facility.

BOTTOM LINE

The $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship is being developed to give entrepreneurs and MSMEs access to facilities, technology, training and business support. The project is expected to serve businesses in Abuja and several surrounding cities.

TCN schedules maintenance on Abuja transmission transformer

Africa CDC urges stronger African ownership of health security

By
Kehinde Victor
-
Bill To Provide Free Health Care For Children Scales Second Reading

KEY POINTS

  • Africa CDC calls for stronger domestic financing for health security across the continent.
  • Dr Jean Kaseya says emergency funds must reach frontline responders faster.
  • Africa needs greater local production of vaccines, diagnostics and other essential health products.
  • Development partners should strengthen African leadership rather than replace it.

MAIN STORY

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for a stronger African led approach to health security, with countries urged to increase domestic financing, improve access to emergency funding and expand local production of essential medical supplies.

Africa CDC Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya, made the call during a conversation with Alexis Akwagyiram, Managing Editor of Semafor Africa, at Semafor’s “The Next 3 Billion” event held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) monitored the conversation via webinar.

Kaseya said Africa needed a health security system that was financed, owned and sustained by African countries, while development partners provided support without displacing African leadership.

He said the continent’s experience with disease outbreaks had shown that raising funds alone was insufficient if emergency resources did not reach frontline responders and affected communities quickly enough.

“The Ebola outbreak is a stark reminder. We can mobilise resources, but if those resources do not reach the front line quickly enough, lives are put at risk,” he said.

According to Kaseya, African countries also need to strengthen their capacity to manufacture vaccines, diagnostics and other essential health products locally and regionally.

He said greater production capacity would help reduce the continent’s exposure to disruptions in global supply chains and strengthen its ability to respond to public health emergencies.

Kaseya said Africa’s population, markets, institutions and technical expertise provided a foundation for developing a more resilient health security system.

“Africa has a population of 1.5 billion people. We have the market, the institutions and the expertise to build differently,” he said.

He said the approach formed part of the African Health Security and Sovereignty agenda, which seeks to increase ownership by African countries while ensuring that partners and available resources help countries respond effectively to health threats.

Kaseya said African countries, development partners and institutions would need to change how they work together if the continent was to build and sustain the capacity needed to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies.

THE ISSUES

  1. Africa’s ability to respond to health emergencies depends not only on the availability of funding but also on how quickly resources reach frontline responders and affected communities.
  2. Greater domestic financing would give African countries a stronger role in sustaining health security systems rather than relying mainly on external support.
  3. Expanding local and regional manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics and other essential health commodities could reduce the continent’s vulnerability to interruptions in international supply chains.
  4. The health security and sovereignty approach places greater responsibility on African countries while requiring development partners to provide support that strengthens, rather than substitutes for, local capacity and leadership.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“The Ebola outbreak is a stark reminder. We can mobilise resources, but if those resources do not reach the front line quickly enough, lives are put at risk.” – Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General

“Africa has a population of 1.5 billion people. We have the market, the institutions and the expertise to build differently.” – Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General

“Partners should support that ownership and ensure that resources reach the people who need them most.” – Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General

WHAT’S NEXT

Kaseya called for African countries, development partners and institutions to strengthen cooperation around domestic financing, emergency funding and local production so that the continent can build and sustain greater capacity to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies.

BOTTOM LINE

Africa CDC is pushing for health security systems that African countries finance, own and sustain, supported by development partners. The approach also places greater emphasis on faster emergency funding and local production of essential health products.

Trump says US will rename AI super intelligence

TCN schedules maintenance on Abuja transmission transformer

By
Kehinde Victor
-
TCN

KEY POINTS

  • TCN will carry out maintenance on a 100 MVA transformer at its Central Area transmission substation in Abuja.
  • The exercise is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • Customers in parts of Abuja will experience a temporary interruption in power supply.
  • AEDC will be unable to take power to the affected areas during the exercise.

MAIN STORY

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a six hour maintenance exercise on a 100 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) transformer at its Central Area GIS 132/33 Kilovolt Transmission Substation in Abuja.

The company said the work would also cover the transformer’s associated switchgear as part of routine preventive checks by its engineers.

In a statement issued on its X handle in Abuja on Wednesday, TCN said the maintenance would take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The company said the exercise would affect electricity supply to customers in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, as the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) would be unable to take off power to the affected areas during the period.

Areas listed by TCN include Wuse Zones 1 to 7, Sheraton Hotel, the Central Business District, Utako, Jabi and surrounding areas.

TCN apologised to electricity customers in the affected locations for the inconvenience associated with the scheduled maintenance.

THE ISSUES

  1. The maintenance is intended to allow TCN engineers carry out preventive checks on the transformer and its associated switchgear.
  2. Customers in the listed parts of Abuja should expect a temporary interruption in electricity supply during the six hour exercise.
  3. The impact on customers is linked to the inability of AEDC to take off power from the transmission network while the maintenance is underway.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“Consequently, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will be unable to off-take power supply to customers in Wuse Zones 1–7, Sheraton Hotel and Central Business District, Utako, Jabi and environs during the exercise.” – TCN

WHAT’S NEXT

TCN will carry out the scheduled maintenance and preventive checks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Power supply to the affected areas is expected to be interrupted during the exercise.

BOTTOM LINE

TCN has scheduled maintenance on a transmission transformer and its associated switchgear in Abuja, with the exercise expected to affect power supply in several areas for six hours.

Expert urges emergency response to Ogun swine fever outbreak

UK to push global AI safety standards, Burnham says

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

  • UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Britain will fight disinformation at home and abroad.
  • A new National Centre for Information Defence will detect and disrupt information attacks.
  • The UK plans a new AI defence partnership with the United States to protect critical infrastructure.
  • Britain will push for global principles and standards on safe AI development during its 2027 G20 Presidency.

MAIN STORY

The United Kingdom is preparing new measures to counter disinformation and strengthen safeguards around artificial intelligence, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling for international rules to guide the development of the technology.

Burnham made the commitment in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, where he linked the growing use of AI to both information security and national defence.

He said the UK and its allies had faced what he described as “an industrial-scale assault by hostile actors on the information environment”, accusing Russian agencies of using bots, fake websites and fabricated news reports to spread disinformation and exploit public fears.

According to Burnham, such operations had amplified far right narratives and included attempts to interfere with the 2019 General Election. He also said there had been efforts to inflame tensions and unrest following what he described as horrific events.

Burnham put the annual spending by the Kremlin on information manipulation at around 1.3 billion pounds and said British companies and institutions had also been targeted through cyber-attacks.

He warned that artificial intelligence could increase the scale of the threat.

In response, the UK plans to establish a National Centre for Information Defence to identify, attribute and disrupt information attacks while strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.

Burnham said Britain would also share its experience with other countries facing similar threats. He cited support already provided to Moldova to help protect its elections against alleged Russian interference.

Turning to AI, Burnham described Frontier AI, which he characterised as the cutting edge of the technology, as both a major opportunity and challenge.

He announced plans for a new AI defence partnership between the UK and the United States, with the partnership intended to help protect critical national infrastructure.

The Prime Minister also argued that decisions about the future direction of AI should be made by elected governments rather than left to chance.

He said Britain would seek to bring together governments and other relevant actors to maximise AI’s benefits while addressing the risks associated with its development.

THE ISSUES

  1. The UK is treating disinformation as a security and democratic resilience issue, with the planned National Centre for Information Defence expected to focus on detecting, attributing and disrupting information attacks.
  2. Burnham’s comments connect the spread of disinformation with the growing capabilities of AI, suggesting that advances in the technology could increase the scale of existing information threats.
  3. The UK is also placing AI within its national security framework through a planned defence partnership with the United States focused on protecting critical infrastructure.
  4. At the international level, Britain is seeking common principles and standards covering AI transparency, access and safety, with the initiative expected to feature prominently during its G20 Presidency in 2027.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“They’ve amplified far right narratives. And we have evidence that they tried to interfere with the 2019 General Election.” – Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister

“And we know that AI will multiply the threat.” – Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister

“And we will work towards agreeing a single set of global principles and standards to ensure the transparency and access we need to increase our preparedness, and to ensure that AI development is safe.” – Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister

WHAT’S NEXT

The UK plans to establish the National Centre for Information Defence and develop its AI defence partnership with the United States. It will also work with other countries towards a common set of principles and standards for AI, with the issue expected to form part of Britain’s G20 Presidency in 2027.

BOTTOM LINE

Britain plans to combine domestic measures against disinformation with international efforts to establish common standards for safe AI development. Burnham said the UK would use its experience and international partnerships to address both the opportunities and security risks associated with AI.

Champions league return boosts man united’s outlook

Champions league return boosts Man United’s outlook

By
Annette Ikponmwonba
-

By Annette Ikponmwonba | September 23, 2026

Key Points

· Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada says the club’s Champions League return and strong commercial performance reflect two years of progress

· The club recorded record revenues and adjusted EBITDA despite lacking European football last season

· Berrada credits the results to sustained internal work over the past two years and the club’s enduring commercial strength

· United strengthened both its men’s and women’s squads during the summer transfer window

· The men’s team has now secured a return of Champions League football to Old Trafford

Main Story

Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has said the club’s return to the Champions League and strong commercial performance underline the progress made over the past two years. In a statement on X on Wednesday, accompanying the club’s latest financial results, Berrada highlighted record revenues and adjusted EBITDA despite the absence of European football last season.

“We are pleased to have secured record revenues and adjusted EBITDA which demonstrates the underlying strength of our business, particularly in a season without European football,” Berrada said. He described the results as a direct reflection of the work the club has been doing over the past two years, while also serving as proof of Manchester United’s enduring popularity and commercial strength, He added that the club had strengthened both its men’s and women’s teams during the summer transfer window, with the men’s side now set to bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford after their period without European competition.

The Issues

The financial results carry particular weight given they were achieved without the revenue boost typically associated with Champions League qualification, historically one of the most significant sources of both broadcasting revenue and commercial appeal for major European clubs. Posting record figures under those conditions suggests Manchester United’s commercial operations, sponsorships, merchandising and other non-matchday revenue streams have remained robust even during a competitively underwhelming period on the pitch.

This context also frames the club’s return to the Champions League as more than just a sporting achievement, positioning it as a financial inflection point that could further strengthen revenues going forward. For a club that has faced sustained scrutiny over on-pitch performance and squad investment decisions in recent seasons, demonstrating both financial discipline and a return to Europe’s top competition offers a rare moment of alignment between business performance and sporting progress.

Berrada’s emphasis on financial sustainability alongside squad investment also reflects the tightrope many major football clubs now walk under financial fair play and profitability and sustainability regulations, where spending on squad strengthening must be carefully balanced against revenue growth and cost discipline to avoid regulatory complications.

What’s Being Said

Berrada was measured in tone, framing the results as validation of a longer-term strategy rather than a singular success. “This shows the direct impact of the work we have been doing over the past two years. It also proves Manchester United’s enduring popularity and commercial strength,” he said, while also cautioning that continued discipline would be necessary to maintain sustainable finances going forward.

On squad investment, he tied the summer transfer window activity directly to this financial sustainability framing, noting that the club had strengthened both its men’s and women’s teams while working within that broader financial discipline, culminating in the men’s team’s return to Champions League competition at Old Trafford.

What’s Next

Attention will likely turn to how Manchester United performs both financially and competitively now that Champions League football has returned to Old Trafford, given how directly Berrada tied the club’s financial trajectory to European competition participation, The club’s continued approach to squad investment during future transfer windows will also be worth watching, particularly given Berrada’s repeated emphasis on maintaining financial discipline even as the club looks to build on this improved financial and sporting position.

Bottom Line

Manchester United’s record financial results, achieved even without European football, combined with the club’s Champions League return, give the club a rare moment to point to genuine alignment between business performance and sporting progress, with CEO Omar Berrada framing it as proof that the club’s two-year rebuilding strategy is beginning to pay off both on and off the pitch.

NMDPRA threatens licence revocation over fuel under dispensing

Expert urges emergency response to Ogun swine fever outbreak

By
Kehinde Victor
-
Swine Flu
New Swine Flu Discovered In China Poses Pandemic Threat

KEY POINTS

• Prof. Eustace Iyayi calls for an emergency response to the African Swine Fever outbreak in Ogun.
• He says authorities should prioritise surveillance, containment, movement control and protection of unaffected farms.
• Iyayi recommends farm by farm epidemiological investigations and stronger biosecurity measures.
• He says the outbreak highlights wider disease risks in high density pig production areas.

MAIN STORY

Prof. Eustace Iyayi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has called for an emergency animal health response to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Ogun.

Iyayi made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, saying the outbreak required rapid and coordinated action rather than being treated as an issue affecting individual farmers.

He said the immediate response should establish and map confirmed cases, contain transmission, protect unaffected farms, maintain communication with farmers and provide an appropriate mechanism for recovery.

According to Iyayi, available reports indicate that farms around the Ikangba and Agoro axis have been affected. He said authorities should therefore conduct farm by farm epidemiological investigations instead of relying only on reports of pig deaths.

“Ogun outbreak should be viewed as both an emergency and a warning. The immediate objective must be to stop transmission and protect unaffected farms.

“But the longer-term objective should be to transform the way Nigeria manages diseases in intensive livestock clusters.

“The experience of Oke-Aro, Gudugba and the current Ikangba/Agoro episode shows that high-density pig production, communal facilities, animal movement and weak farm-to-farm biosecurity can create conditions in which ASF spreads rapidly.

“The appropriate response is therefore not only culling or disinfection after an outbreak; it is a complete disease-risk management system built around surveillance, biosecurity, movement control, diagnostics, farmer reporting, compensation and recovery finance,” he said.

Iyayi recommended that the containment effort adopt a “One Health/animal-health emergency approach”, with veterinary authorities taking the lead and coordinating with the Ogun Government and Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

He called for immediate surveillance by a rapid response veterinary team to monitor affected and neighbouring farms, investigate unusual pig deaths and collect appropriate samples for laboratory testing.

He also recommended temporary restrictions on the movement of live pigs from affected premises and into affected clusters, as well as restrictions on the movement of carcasses, contaminated equipment and vehicles between infected and unaffected farms.

Iyayi singled out Oke-Aro and other high density pig settlements for particular attention because of the transmission risk created by the concentration of farms.

He said veterinary epidemiologists should determine the boundaries of an infected zone, protection zone and surveillance zone based on the characteristics of the outbreak rather than applying a fixed distance in every case.

Where ASF is confirmed and epidemiologically justified, he said humane culling or stamping out could involve the destruction of infected and appropriately identified exposed animals in line with approved control protocols.

He also stressed the need for safe disposal of carcasses, warning that improperly disposed carcasses could become major sources of infection.

The expert further called for tighter controls at communal slaughter facilities, citing lessons from the Gudugba outbreak investigation, which he said identified a communal slaughter facility as a possible transmission pathway.

“Communal slaughter facilities in affected clusters should therefore be placed under strict veterinary supervision, with temporary suspension where necessary,” Iyayi said.

THE ISSUES

  1. Iyayi said the immediate concern is containing transmission and protecting farms that have not been affected. He recommended surveillance, case mapping, laboratory testing and movement restrictions as part of the emergency response.
  2. The structure of pig production in densely populated farming clusters is another concern raised by the expert. He linked high farm density, animal movement, communal facilities and weak farm to farm biosecurity with conditions that can allow ASF to spread rapidly.
  3. Movement controls would need to extend beyond live pigs. Iyayi recommended restrictions covering carcasses, contaminated equipment and vehicles moving between infected and unaffected farms.
  4. The management of communal slaughter facilities is also part of the proposed response. Iyayi said the Gudugba investigation identified such a facility as a possible route of transmission and called for strict veterinary supervision.
  5. Previous outbreaks have resulted in substantial mortality and financial losses. A study of 62 farms involving 6,208 pigs in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos during the 2019 to 2021 outbreak recorded a 60.6 per cent mortality rate and estimated financial losses from pig mortality at N166.26 million.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“Ogun outbreak should be viewed as both an emergency and a warning. The immediate objective must be to stop transmission and protect unaffected farms.” – Prof. Eustace Iyayi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Livestock Development

“The appropriate response is therefore not only culling or disinfection after an outbreak; it is a complete disease-risk management system built around surveillance, biosecurity, movement control, diagnostics, farmer reporting, compensation and recovery finance,” – Prof. Eustace Iyayi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Livestock Development

“Communal slaughter facilities in affected clusters should therefore be placed under strict veterinary supervision, with temporary suspension where necessary,” – Prof. Eustace Iyayi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Livestock Development

WHAT’S NEXT

Iyayi called for rapid disease surveillance, farm by farm investigations, laboratory testing and movement controls around affected areas.

He also recommended establishing infected, protection and surveillance zones based on veterinary epidemiological findings and strengthening supervision of communal slaughter facilities.

BOTTOM LINE

Iyayi says the Ogun ASF outbreak requires coordinated emergency action to contain transmission and protect unaffected farms. He also called for stronger disease risk management across Nigeria’s intensive livestock clusters.

Day 58, housemates reveal their proudest show ya sef moment- BBNaija

Trump says US will rename AI super intelligence

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• Trump says the US government will use “super intelligence” instead of artificial intelligence in official communications.
• He rejects attempts to establish global controls on AI and maintains his opposition to regulation.
• More than 20 mostly European countries are calling for binding safety measures for advanced AI.
• Guterres is urging the US and China to establish dialogue on the technology.

MAIN STORY

US President Donald Trump has announced plans for the US government to refer to artificial intelligence as “super intelligence” in official communications, as world leaders debate how to respond to the risks associated with rapidly advancing AI.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Trump defended his opposition to regulating the technology and argued that describing it as “artificial” failed to capture its capabilities.

“Super Intelligence ‘sounds much better’ and ‘it’s much more accurate,’” he said, expressing hope that other countries would adopt the new terminology.

AI has become a major subject at the UN gathering following incidents involving technology apparently moving beyond human control and warnings from company insiders that have fuelled calls for greater government supervision.

Trump rejected those calls, saying the US would not support attempts to establish a global framework for controlling AI.

“The United States totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control… artificial intelligence,” he said.

He also compared warnings from AI safety advocates with earlier warnings about climate change.

“Every major new technology brings challenges, and superintelligence is no exception,” Trump said.

“The very same people who said we’ll all be dead in 12 years because of global warming… are now saying that AI is going to kill us all, that robots are going to attack us, and that everything is going to be a total disaster.”

The Trump administration’s proposed terminology change follows other renamings pursued by the US government, including its change of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” through an executive order last year. In August, Lake Ontario was also renamed “Lake America” amid a trade dispute with Canada.

While the US opposes the push for stronger international controls, more than 20 countries, mostly European, have called for binding safety measures for advanced AI. The countries warned that the technology could develop faster than the ability of governments to control it.

China and the United States did not endorse the proposal.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on the sidelines of the UN meeting that Britain would use its role as host of the Group of 20 next year to promote a common international approach to AI.

Burnham said he planned to push for a “single set of global principles and standards” around the technology, according to Bloomberg.

French President Emmanuel Macron also called for countries to develop AI capabilities that are not dependent on the major powers.

“I don’t want anyone to become the vassal of one of the great powers,” Macron told the General Assembly, apparently referring to China and the US.

He proposed pooling investment to develop an open source AI model that could be shared internationally.

The debate has also drawn increasing calls for coordination from major AI companies. OpenAI chief Sam Altman is scheduled to address the UN Security Council on Wednesday, while Anthropic chief Dario Amodei and Hugging Face co founder Clement Delangue are expected to participate remotely, according to a French official.

France, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, initiated the meeting, saying the implications of AI for international peace and security had not received sufficient attention at the UN.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has meanwhile called on the US and China to establish dialogue over the future of AI, comparing the proposed engagement with communication between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War.

“Governments with the greatest AI capabilities have the greatest responsibilities to humanity, to establish channels for dialogue,” Guterres said.

“At a pivotal moment during the Cold War, strategic rivals came to recognize the need to manage shared existential risks.”

China and the US are currently discussing the creation of a communication channel for AI concerns ahead of a Washington summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

THE ISSUES

  1. The disagreement at the UN centres on whether advanced AI should be subject to binding international safety measures. More than 20 mostly European countries have backed such measures, while the US and China have not endorsed the proposal.
  2. The debate also extends to technological dependence. Macron has proposed pooling investment to develop an open source AI model that countries could share rather than relying on the major AI powers.
  3. The role of the US and China is central to discussions about AI governance because both countries have major AI capabilities. Guterres has called for dialogue between them to address shared risks.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“The United States totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control… artificial intelligence,” – Donald Trump, US President

“I don’t want anyone to become the vassal of one of the great powers,” – Emmanuel Macron, French President

“Governments with the greatest AI capabilities have the greatest responsibilities to humanity, to establish channels for dialogue,” – Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General

WHAT’S NEXT

Burnham is expected to use Britain’s Group of 20 presidency next year to push for global principles and standards on AI.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss AI on Wednesday, with Altman, Amodei and Delangue expected to participate.

The US and China are also discussing a communication channel for AI concerns ahead of the planned meeting between Trump and Xi.

BOTTOM LINE

Trump is rejecting international efforts to impose stronger controls on AI while European countries push for binding safety measures. At the same time, governments and UN officials are pursuing greater international coordination, particularly between the US and China.

NMDPRA threatens licence revocation over fuel under dispensing

Edo farmers say improved security is enabling return to farms

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• Edo farmers say they are returning to farms across the state following what they describe as improved security.
• IFAN and AFAN President Bako Dogwo says the development has increased farmers’ confidence to resume farming.
• Farmers say improved security could support food production and food security.
• Farmers have installed APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe as Patron of Edo farmers.

MAIN STORY

Farmers in Edo State say they have begun returning to their farms across the state, which they attributed to improved security under the administration of Gov. Monday Okpebholo.

Alhaji Bako Dogwo, President of the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria (IFAN) and Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), made the claim on Wednesday in Benin.

Dogwo spoke when farmers under IFAN, AFAN and the state Federated FADAMA Farmers installed the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Jarrett Tenebe, as Patron of Edo farmers.

According to Dogwo, farmers who had previously been unable to access their farms were now resuming their activities because of the security situation in the state.

“We want to commend Gov. Monday Okpebholo for improving security across the state.

“Farmers who could not go to their farms before are now happy because they can access their farms and continue their farming activities,” he said.

Dogwo said the development would help boost food production and strengthen food security in Edo.

He also urged Tenebe to use his position as patron to serve as a link between farmers and the state government.

Hon. Prince Henry Ebole, who represented the State Federated FADAMA Farmers, also commended Okpebholo’s SHINE agenda and pledged farmers’ support for the administration.

Ebole said farmers played an important role in food supply and youth employment. He said records showed that about 2,000 FADAMA farmers were registered under the Federated Farmers Community Association.

“As of today, our records show that registered FADAMA farmers under the Federated Farmers Community Association are about 2,000 members.

“These are farmers captured in the old FADAMA register. We will move from ward to ward to register and sensitise farmers and increase our numbers,” he said.

Ebole also said the association would mobilise farmers to support the APC, describing farmers as an important constituency in the state.

Responding, Tenebe thanked the farmers for honouring him as their patron and pledged to support their activities.

He said his experience as a farmer, as well as Okpebholo’s, gave them an understanding of the importance of agriculture to the economy and food security.

“I am a farmer, the governor is a farmer as well, and he remembers where he is coming from.

“That was why when he came into office, he tackled security and ensured that the state was safe for farmers to return to their farms,” Tenebe said.

Tenebe said improved security was essential to enabling farmers to operate freely and increase food production.

He subsequently accepted the position of Patron of Edo farmers and was decorated at the event.

THE ISSUES

  1. Farmers’ access to their farms is the central issue raised by the associations. Dogwo said farmers who previously could not reach their farms were now able to resume farming, which he attributed to improved security.
  2. The farmers linked improved access to potential gains in food production and food security. Dogwo said the development would help strengthen food production in the state.
  3. The associations also identified farmers as an important source of employment opportunities for young people. Ebole said farmers played a critical role in providing both food and jobs.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“We want to commend Gov. Monday Okpebholo for improving security across the state.” – Bako Dogwo, President, IFAN and Chairman, AFAN

“Farmers who could not go to their farms before are now happy because they can access their farms and continue their farming activities,” he said. – Bako Dogwo, President, IFAN and Chairman, AFAN

“That was why when he came into office, he tackled security and ensured that the state was safe for farmers to return to their farms,” Tenebe said. – Jarrett Tenebe, Patron, Edo farmers

WHAT’S NEXT

The State Federated FADAMA Farmers said it would move from ward to ward to register and sensitise farmers, with the aim of increasing its membership.

Tenebe has accepted the position of Patron of Edo farmers and pledged to support their activities.

BOTTOM LINE

Edo farmers say improved security under Okpebholo has enabled more farmers to access their farms and resume farming activities. The claim was made by farmers’ representatives at an event in Benin and was not independently established in the supplied report.

NECA welcomes CBN rate cut, seeks lower business financing costs

Oyedele calls for affordable capital to fund Africa’s infrastructure

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• Taiwo Oyedele says high financing costs are constraining Africa’s infrastructure and energy development.
• He identifies currency risks and other financing burdens affecting African countries seeking capital.
• The minister calls for simpler and more affordable financing arrangements for developing countries.
• He also seeks increased investment in gas and other transition energy sources.

MAIN STORY

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, has called for more affordable capital to support infrastructure development across Africa.

Oyedele made the call at the United Nations Dialogue on Solutions to Climate Finance in New York, held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to the minister, Africa’s development ambitions, particularly in the energy sector, are being constrained by high financing costs, currency risks and limited access to long term capital.

He said the continent’s relatively low contribution to global carbon emissions had not protected it from higher financing costs.

Oyedele described the additional burden as a “prejudice premium” and “narrative cost”, saying they affected Africa’s ability to mobilise funds for critical infrastructure.

He also identified currency risks and what he called “stereotype tax” as additional burdens for African countries seeking financing for energy and development projects.

The minister urged the international community to adopt simpler and more affordable financing arrangements that reflect the development realities of developing countries.

Oyedele also called for increased investment in gas and other transition energy sources, particularly in Africa.

He said such investment would expand access to reliable and affordable energy while helping to address global energy poverty.

According to him, stronger investment in Africa’s energy sector would also help diversify global energy supplies and reduce concentration risks.

He said this was particularly important amid disruptions affecting the Gulf region.

Oyedele stressed that Africa’s energy transition must take into account the continent’s significant energy access deficit.

He said greater investment was therefore needed to enable African countries to meet their development needs while pursuing practical transitions to cleaner energy sources.

For Nigeria, the minister said the immediate priority was to implement policies and programmes aimed at reducing poverty and expanding economic opportunities.

He said such measures would accelerate the distribution of shared prosperity among Nigerians.

Oyedele said stronger international cooperation and a financing framework supportive of developing countries would be required to achieve these objectives.

He said such a framework would enable countries to mobilise the capital needed to develop infrastructure and improve citizens’ livelihoods.

THE ISSUES

  1. Oyedele identified the cost and availability of financing as constraints on Africa’s infrastructure and energy development. He said high financing costs, currency risks and limited access to long term capital were affecting the continent’s development ambitions.
  2. The minister argued that Africa’s relatively low contribution to global carbon emissions had not shielded its countries from higher financing costs. He referred to the additional burdens as a “prejudice premium”, “narrative cost” and “stereotype tax”.
  3. Africa’s energy transition presents a particular financing challenge because of the continent’s significant energy access deficit. Oyedele called for investment that would allow African countries to expand energy access while pursuing practical transitions to cleaner sources.
  4. For Nigeria, Oyedele identified poverty reduction and the expansion of economic opportunities as immediate priorities. He said achieving these goals would require financing and international cooperation that support developing countries.

WHAT’S NEXT

Oyedele called for stronger international cooperation and a financing framework that would support developing countries in mobilising capital for infrastructure and development.

He also called for increased investment in gas and other transition energy sources in Africa.

BOTTOM LINE

Oyedele says Africa needs more affordable financing to address its infrastructure and energy needs. He is calling for a financing framework that reflects the development realities of developing countries.

$800 Million Ima gas project shows my reforms are paying off – Tinubu

$800 Million Ima gas project shows my reforms are paying off – Tinubu

By
Annette Ikponmwonba
-

By Annette Ikponmwonba | September 23, 2026

Key Points

· President Tinubu says reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are attracting fresh investment following an $800m final investment decision by AMNI International and TotalEnergies

· The decision will develop the Ima Gas Field, discovered in 1973 and undeveloped for more than fifty years

· Tinubu credits Presidential Directives and Executive Orders introduced since taking office for improving the sector’s investment climate

· The project is expected to create jobs for Nigerian engineers, technicians and contractors, with about 60 per cent of the workforce coming from host communities

· Ima is expected to produce about 350 million cubic feet of gas daily at peak, supplying roughly one-third of the gas needed for Nigeria LNG’s expansion

· Tinubu says the development reflects his broader goal of moving Nigeria’s resources from potential to production

Main Story

President Bola Tinubu has said the reforms initiated by his administration in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are beginning to attract fresh investments, following the $800m final investment decision taken by AMNI International and TotalEnergies to develop the Ima Gas Field. Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, describing the project as evidence that measures introduced by his administration to make investment in the sector more attractive were beginning to yield results.

According to him, the Ima Gas Field, discovered in 1973, had remained undeveloped for more than fifty years. Tinubu said his administration had, since assuming office, introduced a series of Presidential Directives and Executive Orders aimed at improving the investment climate in the oil and gas industry. “The decisions we have taken to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are beginning to bear fruit,” he said.

He explained that one of these reforms specifically introduced incentives to unlock onshore and shallow-water gas projects that had remained undeveloped for years, adding that the Ima Gas Field decision represents a direct result of that policy shift. “AMNI International and TotalEnergies have taken an $800 million Final Investment Decision to develop the Ima Gas Field, discovered in 1973 and left underground for more than fifty years,” Tinubu disclosed.

The Issues

The Ima Gas Field’s decades-long dormancy highlights a broader, long-standing challenge in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where regulatory uncertainty, cost inefficiencies and unclear investment terms have historically discouraged the development of even known, discovered resources. Tinubu’s framing of this decision as a direct outcome of specific policy interventions suggests his administration sees investment climate reform, rather than resource scarcity, as the primary barrier that has kept projects like Ima undeveloped for so long.

The project’s connection to Nigeria’s broader liquefied natural gas expansion ambitions also underscores the strategic importance being placed on gas development as a growth sector separate from crude oil production. With Ima expected to supply about one-third of the gas required for Nigeria LNG’s expansion, the project’s success or delays could carry meaningful implications for Nigeria’s broader gas export strategy going forward.

There is also a local economic development dimension embedded in the announcement, with the commitment that about 60 per cent of the project’s workforce will come from host communities. This kind of local content commitment reflects continued sensitivity around ensuring that natural resource extraction projects translate into tangible economic benefits for the communities located near extraction sites, a recurring point of tension in Nigeria’s oil and gas history.

What’s Being Said

Tinubu was direct in tying the investment decision to specific policy actions taken by his administration, stating that he had signed a series of Presidential Directives and Executive Orders aimed at making investment in Nigeria more competitive, reducing the cost and time required to develop projects, and providing greater certainty to investors. He said, “Today, we are seeing the result.”

He also emphasized the broader economic benefits he expects the project to generate for Nigerians, saying it would mean work for engineers, technicians and contractors, along with opportunities for Nigerian businesses, jobs and economic activity in host communities, in addition to increased export earnings for the country.

On the project’s technical scale, Tinubu noted that Ima is expected to produce about 350 million cubic feet of gas daily at peak, supplying roughly a third of the gas required for the expansion of Nigeria LNG. He framed the entire development within his administration’s broader reform philosophy, stating, “This is what our reforms are intended to achieve, to move Nigeria’s resources from potential to production and translate them into jobs, incomes and opportunity for our people.”

What’s Next

With the final investment decision now taken, attention will likely turn to the actual development timeline for the Ima Gas Field, including how quickly AMNI International and TotalEnergies move from investment commitment to construction and eventual production, Tinubu’s closing remark, that there is more to unlock, suggests the administration may look to highlight additional similar investment decisions in the oil and gas sector going forward, potentially as part of a broader narrative around the success of its sectoral reform agenda ahead of future political cycles.

Bottom Line

The $800m final investment decision to develop the long-dormant Ima Gas Field gives the Tinubu administration a concrete example to point to in support of its oil and gas sector reform agenda, with the President framing the project as proof that policy changes aimed at improving Nigeria’s investment climate are beginning to convert previously stranded resources into real economic activity.

Trump defends Iran war in UN address, threatens further action

Day 58, housemates reveal their proudest show ya sef moment- BBNaija

By
Annette Ikponmwonba
-

By Annette Ikponmwonba | September 23, 2026

Key Points

· Housemates split their morning between chores and quiet MIPOW campaigning ahead of this week’s vote

· Diary sessions saw Temi Nkem, Tram, Flora, Aikou and Sheba open up about their proudest moments and biggest influences in the house

· Team Boosted Odds, made up of Aikou, Keivo, Ricky, Sheba and Tram, won the sponsored BetPawa task

· Flora and Oyin had a heated back and forth over food during dinner prep

· An emotional ad-hoc task saw housemates share honest reflections about each other and their time in the house

· Barry opened up about losing a friend just before entering the house and how the experience has been therapeutic for him

Main Story

With voting for this week’s Most Influential Player of the Week still looming, the Show Ya Sef housemates split their morning between house chores and low-key campaigning, before the day wound down into a run of emotional diary sessions. The house settled back in after an early workout session and got straight into cleaning mode, with Temi Nkem making her MIPOW push obvious throughout the morning, waving off help with chores and taking on extra duties specifically so the house would remember her effort.

Diary sessions later in the day brought out a wave of reflection from several housemates. Temi Nkem admitted she’s chasing MIPOW hard this week and wishes she’d started campaigning earlier in the season, naming her task wins, particularly her Friday Night Arena performance, as her proudest achievement. Tram followed in noticeably better spirits, saying seeing his mother on TV lifted his mood, and named making it this far in the game and winning HoH as his proudest accomplishments, while revealing he and Aikou have discussed writing a book together after the show, Flora, Aikou and Sheba also used their sessions to reflect on the toll of recent evictions, particularly Chimsom Chuka’s exit, with all three naming him as someone who had significantly impacted their journey in the house. Sheba specifically highlighted her ability to hold herself accountable and control her emotions as sources of pride heading into week nine.

The Issues

The emotional undertone running through the day’s diary sessions reflects how deeply recent evictions, particularly Chimsom Chuka’s departure, continue to affect the remaining housemates as the season nears its conclusion. Multiple housemates independently named him as having had the greatest impact on their journey, suggesting his exit left a genuine gap in the house’s social fabric rather than simply reshuffling gameplay dynamics.

The MIPOW campaign subtext running through the day also highlights how strategic positioning has become increasingly overt as the season progresses, with Temi Nkem’s visible effort to be seen doing extra chores reflecting the kind of calculated self-promotion that intensifies as housemates compete for these late-season distinctions. The playful rivalry between her and Tram over the title added a lighter layer to what is otherwise a competitively significant vote.

The evening’s ad-hoc task, prompting housemates to reflect on what the house’s walls might say if they could talk, produced some of the day’s most candid moments, particularly Barry’s disclosure about entering the house shortly after losing a friend and not having had time to grieve before the show began. This kind of unscripted emotional vulnerability underscores how much personal weight housemates often carry into the experience, beyond what typically plays out in the show’s more competitive or dramatic storylines.

What’s Being Said

Barry was particularly candid during the evening’s reflective task, opening up about the circumstances he entered the house under. He explained that one of his friends had died just before he joined the show, leaving him without the chance to properly grieve, and credited fellow housemate Abi for listening and asking him questions during his time in the house, describing the overall experience as therapeutic for him.

Ricky also shared a personal reflection, revealing that he had auditioned for the show twice before finally being selected, describing his time in the Big Brother house as part of a long-term plan, and crediting Abi with influencing him significantly during the time they overlapped in the house, Elsewhere, Aikou used his diary session to clarify a joke that had reportedly been misconstrued while Chimsom Chuka was still in the house, while also crediting Oyin as the person who helped him understand the importance of staying true to himself throughout his journey.

What’s Next

With MIPOW voting still ongoing, attention will likely remain on how the subtle campaigning efforts from housemates like Temi Nkem translate into actual votes once the results are revealed. The emotional reflections shared throughout the day may also continue shaping house dynamics heading into the final stretch of the season, particularly as housemates like Barry, Ricky and others process personal histories that have quietly shaped their journeys on the show, The wager preparations that began stirring during the day, along with props like Sheba’s telephone and Tram’s speaker already distributed, suggest the house’s next major presentation is already taking shape for the coming days.

Bottom Line

Day 58 balanced lighthearted MIPOW campaigning and task competition with some of the season’s more emotionally raw moments, as housemates opened up about grief, personal history and the lasting impact of recent evictions, offering a rare glimpse into the deeper motivations driving their journeys as the Show Ya Sef season heads toward its final weeks.

NMDPRA threatens licence revocation over fuel under dispensing

NMDPRA threatens licence revocation over fuel under dispensing

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• NMDPRA says fuel stations found under dispensing petroleum products could lose their licences.
• Retail outlets have been directed to calibrate and verify dispensers and totalisers immediately.
• The regulator says persistent or serious violations will attract sanctions.

MAIN STORY

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has warned petroleum retail outlets that persistent or serious cases of under dispensing could result in the revocation of their operating licences.

The regulator issued the warning in an industry circular posted on its X handle on Tuesday, following reported cases of consumers receiving less petroleum product than the quantity paid for at retail stations.

NMDPRA described under dispensing as a serious breach of consumer trust and directed retail outlet operators nationwide to immediately check, calibrate and verify their dispensing equipment and totalisers.

The authority said the measure was intended to ensure that dispensers deliver accurate quantities and protect consumers from being short changed during petroleum product transactions.

It said inspections and enforcement activities had been intensified nationwide, with outlets found to be under dispensing or using improperly calibrated equipment required to take immediate corrective action.

Stations found to have compromised dispensing accuracy would also face sanctions, depending on the nature and persistence of the violation.

THE ISSUES

  1. Accurate measurement at fuel stations directly affects consumers because under dispensing means motorists and other buyers receive less product than the quantity for which they have paid.
  2. NMDPRA said retail operators are responsible for ensuring their dispensing equipment and totalisers are properly calibrated and verified, making equipment accuracy a key part of compliance.
  3. The regulator’s warning introduces the possibility of licence revocation for persistent or serious violations, alongside other sanctions available under its regulations.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“The authority has intensified inspections and enforcement activities nationwide.” – NMDPRA

“Outlets found to be under dispensing, operating with improperly calibrated equipment, or otherwise compromising dispensing accuracy will be required to take immediate corrective action.” – NMDPRA

“Persistent or serious violations will be subject to appropriate sanctions, up to and including revocation of the outlet’s license, in line with NMDPRA’s regulations.” – NMDPRA

WHAT’S NEXT

NMDPRA has directed petroleum retail outlet operators to calibrate and verify their dispensers and totalisers immediately.

The regulator also asked MEMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN and PETROAN to communicate the directive to their members and support compliance across the industry.

BOTTOM LINE

NMDPRA is tightening enforcement against fuel stations that deliver less petroleum product than consumers pay for. Persistent or serious violations could lead to the revocation of an outlet’s licence.

Cardoso says CBN restored confidence in monetary stability

Trump defends Iran war in UN address, threatens further action

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• U.S. President Donald Trump defended the military campaign against Iran in his UN General Assembly address.

• Trump said Iran had lost much of its military capacity and warned he could pursue further action if Tehran rejects a deal.

• The prolonged conflict has contributed to higher energy prices and growing political pressure in the United States.

MAIN STORY

U.S. President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to defend the war against Iran, declaring that Tehran no longer held the dominant position it once had in the Middle East.

“They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more,” Trump said as the annual high level debate opened in New York.

Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon had remained a consistent objective throughout his political career.

“I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Iranian representatives in the assembly hall listened to the speech without visible reaction.

The United States and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, after which Tehran responded with attacks across the region.

Trump described the military campaign as having severely weakened Iran’s armed forces and other strategic capabilities.

“As a result of Operation Epic Fury, all 159 ships of their navy are now lying at the bottom of the sea,” he said.

“Likewise, their air force is gone. Their radar is gone. Their anti-aircraft equipment is gone. Their missile and drone manufacturing capacity is almost gone. Their economy is gone.”

The president also raised the possibility of destroying the Islamic Republic if Tehran does not reach an agreement with Washington.

“I have a big decision to make,” Trump said, presenting a deal with Iran as one possible course of action.

He then asked whether he should instead “annihilate the Islamic Republic” and act quickly to prevent further attacks.

Despite the threat, Trump said he expected Tehran would eventually agree to a deal, possibly after the U.S. midterm elections.

The conflict has also created increasing political pressure for Trump at home, particularly as energy prices have risen.

The dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme has increasingly been accompanied by a struggle over the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil shipments.

Iran brought shipping through the strait to a virtual standstill through threats and attacks shortly after the war began, contributing to sharp increases in global oil and petrol prices.

The higher energy costs have added to pressure on Trump and his Republican Party ahead of the congressional midterm elections scheduled for early November.

Public opinion polling cited in the report indicates growing opposition to the war in the United States as the conflict approaches seven months, considerably longer than the few weeks Trump initially projected.

THE ISSUES

  1. The conflict remains centred on Iran’s nuclear programme and the U.S. objective of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump’s UN address combined that objective with a defence of the military campaign.
  2. The Strait of Hormuz has become a major part of the conflict because disruptions to shipping through the waterway affect international oil supplies and energy prices.
  3. Rising energy prices have created a domestic political challenge for the Trump administration, with the economic impact of the war becoming an issue ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
  4. Trump’s comments leave open both negotiation and further military action. He said he expected Iran to eventually agree to a deal, while also warning of severe consequences if it does not.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more,” – Donald Trump, U.S. President

“I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” – Donald Trump, U.S. President

“I have a big decision to make,” – Donald Trump, U.S. President

WHAT’S NEXT

Trump indicated that a deal with Iran remains one possible path, while suggesting that further military action could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement.

The conflict is also expected to remain a domestic political issue in the United States as energy prices and public opposition to the war continue to attract attention ahead of the midterm elections.

BOTTOM LINE

Trump defended the Iran war before the UN while presenting a possible deal with Tehran alongside the threat of further military action. The prolonged conflict is also putting pressure on energy prices and adding to political concerns in the United States.

Mahama calls for greater Global South control over development

Niger inaugurates inquiry into deaths of 37 NSCDC detainees

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• Niger State has inaugurated a nine member Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody.
• The commission will examine the arrests, legality and conditions of detention, as well as the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
• It has four weeks to complete its assignment and submit recommendations.

MAIN STORY

The Niger State Government has constituted a nine member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 people who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Gov. Umaru Bago inaugurated the commission on Tuesday in Minna and charged its members to conduct the inquiry diligently, impartially and in accordance with the law.

The commission is to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests and legality of the deceased persons’ detention, including their condition and treatment while in custody.

Its mandate also covers the causes of the deaths, the responsibility and accountability of officers involved, and relevant medical and forensic evidence. The commission is expected to make general findings and recommendations based on its investigation.

Bago said the commission was established under the law to determine the facts surrounding the incident and get to the root of the deaths.

He gave the panel four weeks to complete its assignment, expressing confidence that its members would justify the responsibility entrusted to them.

The governor said the findings would help the government determine appropriate steps following the inquiry.

THE ISSUES

  1. The commission has been given a broad mandate covering both the circumstances of the arrests and the treatment of the deceased while in custody. Its work will therefore examine events leading to the deaths as well as the conditions under which the detainees were held.
  2. The inquiry will also consider accountability, including the role of officers involved, alongside medical and forensic evidence relating to the deaths.
  3. The investigation comes amid public concern over the deaths. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Nasiru Mu’azu, said the establishment of the commission was not intended to prejudice anyone.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“It has been set up to look into the facts, evidence and circumstances surrounding the death of the 37 persons.” – Nasiru Mu’azu, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

“The fact that they are alleged to be illegal miners does not in any way diminish their fundamental rights or the obligation of the state to protect their lives.” – Nasiru Mu’azu, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

WHAT’S NEXT

The commission, chaired by Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Niger State High Court of Justice, has four weeks to complete its assignment.

Its report is expected to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and provide recommendations based on its findings.

BOTTOM LINE

Niger State has opened a judicial inquiry into the deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody. The commission will examine the arrests, detention conditions, causes of death and possible accountability before making recommendations.

‘Ikenga: The Last Festival’ becomes highest grossing Igbo language film

NECA welcomes CBN rate cut, seeks lower business financing costs

By
Kehinde Victor
-
NECA Applauds FG, Dangote Refineries For Landmark Agreement

KEY POINTS

• NECA commends the CBN for cutting the MPR from 26.5 per cent to 23 per cent.
• The association says the 45 per cent CRR means monetary conditions remain relatively tight.
• It wants the rate reduction to translate into lower lending costs for businesses.

MAIN STORY

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has welcomed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to reduce the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 26.5 per cent to 23 per cent.

NECA Director General, Mr Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, described the move as a significant adjustment following a prolonged period of tight monetary conditions.

However, he said the association would monitor how the decision affects actual lending rates, stressing that a lower policy rate does not automatically mean cheaper credit for businesses.

Oyerinde pointed to the retention of the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for Deposit Money Banks at 45 per cent as an indication that monetary conditions remained relatively tight.

He said the lower MPR could eventually support reduced lending rates and improve access to working capital and investment financing, particularly for manufacturers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He added that the speed and extent of the transmission would depend on how banks adjusted their lending rates.

NECA said the August 2026 headline inflation rate of 15.39 per cent also meant that the new MPR remained above prevailing inflation.

“The reduction therefore, represents a measured easing rather than a shift to broadly accommodative monetary policy,” Oyerinde said.

The revised interest rate corridor of plus 50 and minus 300 basis points places the Standing Lending Facility at 23.5 per cent and the Standing Deposit Facility at 20 per cent.

According to Oyerinde, the adjustment could help liquidity management and strengthen the transmission of monetary policy.

THE ISSUES

  1. The impact of the MPR cut on businesses will depend on whether commercial banks translate the lower policy rate into reduced lending rates. NECA said this transmission would determine the extent to which businesses benefit from the adjustment.
  2. Manufacturers and other businesses continue to face high input, energy, logistics and foreign exchange related costs. These pressures could limit the benefits of any improvement in financing conditions.
  3. The retention of the 45 per cent CRR indicates that the CBN is maintaining a relatively tight monetary environment despite the reduction in the policy rate, according to NECA.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“August 2026 headline inflation at 15.39 per cent means that the new 23 per cent MPR remains above the prevailing inflation rate.” – Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, NECA Director General

“NECA will, therefore, continue to monitor the transmission of the policy rate reduction to actual lending rates and advocate for a sustained and predictable path towards lower financing costs.” – Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, NECA Director General

WHAT’S NEXT

NECA said it would continue monitoring the effect of the MPR reduction on lending rates while advocating measures to lower financing costs and improve access to credit.

Oyerinde also called for further strategic support for manufacturers to ease their financing burden.

BOTTOM LINE

NECA described the MPR reduction as a positive development but said its impact would depend on how quickly lower policy rates translate into cheaper credit for businesses. The association also called for measures to improve financing access for manufacturers.

ECOWAS warns climate change could displace 32 million by 2050

‘Ikenga: The Last Festival’ becomes highest grossing Igbo language film

By
Kehinde Victor
-
ZIFF

KEY POINTS

• Ikenga: The Last Festival has grossed N103.4 million, becoming the highest grossing Igbo language film in West Africa.
• FilmOne Entertainment announced the milestone on Instagram.
• The film is still showing in cinemas nationwide.

MAIN STORY

Ikenga: The Last Festival has set a new box office record for an Igbo language film in West Africa, with earnings reaching N103.4 million.

FilmOne Entertainment announced the achievement in a post on its official Instagram page on Tuesday, describing the production as a record breaking Igbo title.

The entertainment company also acknowledged Nigerian audiences for their contribution to the film’s performance and said the movie remains on cinema screens across the country.

The film features an ensemble cast and centres on themes of power, legacy and tradition.

THE ISSUES

  1. The N103.4 million gross places the film at the top of the Igbo language film category in West Africa, according to the announcement by FilmOne Entertainment.
  2. Its continued screening in cinemas means the film is still available to audiences despite having already reached the reported milestone.

WHAT’S NEXT

Ikenga: The Last Festival is expected to continue its cinema run nationwide, according to FilmOne Entertainment.

BOTTOM LINE

Ikenga: The Last Festival has grossed N103.4 million, making it the highest grossing Igbo language film in West Africa. The film remains in cinemas nationwide.

Northwest governors seek investment to advance regional peace agenda

Cardoso says CBN restored confidence in monetary stability

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso says the apex bank has made progress in its mandate of monetary and price stability.

• He said the bank inherited a period of currency instability, high inflation and a dysfunctional foreign exchange market.

• Cardoso said restoring the CBN to its core mandate was among the management’s key achievements since 2023.

MAIN STORY

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso says the apex bank’s current management has made significant progress in restoring monetary and price stability since assuming office three years ago.

Cardoso made the assessment on Tuesday in Abuja after presenting the communiqué of the 307th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Reflecting on the management’s three years at the helm of the apex bank, the governor said it inherited an institution and economy facing a significant loss of confidence.

He said the situation was particularly evident in the performance of the naira, which was experiencing regular depreciation and making economic planning difficult for individuals and businesses.

According to him, uncertainty over the currency had also prompted some Nigerians to move their savings into foreign assets as they sought to protect their earnings.

Cardoso said the country was also facing negative assessments from rating agencies, which he said reflected limited confidence in its economic outlook without substantial reforms.

He credited the leadership team that has served at the CBN since 2023 with supporting the MPC and his administration in addressing the challenges.

One of the management’s early priorities, he said, was returning the CBN to its core mandate of maintaining monetary and financial stability.

Cardoso said the economy had also been affected by substantial Ways and Means financing, which stood at N23.7 trillion, while CBN interventions exceeded N10 trillion.

He linked the scale of Ways and Means financing to the inflationary pressures facing the economy at the time.

The governor also pointed to weaknesses in the foreign exchange market, where multiple exchange rates existed, as another major challenge inherited by the current management.

He said the central responsibility of the bank was to restore stability while maintaining both price and financial stability.

Cardoso described the decisions taken by the bank over the past three years to achieve those objectives as among the management’s proudest moments.

THE ISSUES

  1. Cardoso’s assessment places the CBN’s three year tenure against the backdrop of currency depreciation, inflationary pressure and weakened confidence in the financial system.
  2. The governor identified the previous scale of Ways and Means financing and CBN interventions as factors that complicated the monetary environment inherited by the current management.
  3. Multiple exchange rates were another challenge highlighted by Cardoso. He said restoring stability in the foreign exchange market was part of the bank’s responsibility.
  4. Returning the CBN to its core mandate has been presented by the governor as a central feature of the management’s approach since 2023, with monetary and financial stability identified as key objectives.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“The first thing, given the context that I have laid here today, was that we were able to take the bank back to its core mandate.” – Olayemi Cardoso, CBN Governor

“Our responsibility was to restore stability and maintain both price and financial stability.” – Olayemi Cardoso, CBN Governor

“Our proudest moments have been in our ability over the years to take the right decisions that have been able to take us back there.” – Olayemi Cardoso, CBN Governor

WHAT’S NEXT

Cardoso did not outline specific new measures in the supplied remarks. His comments focused on the CBN’s three year record and the steps taken to restore monetary, price and financial stability.

BOTTOM LINE

Cardoso says the CBN has spent the past three years addressing currency instability, inflationary pressures, excessive Ways and Means financing and weaknesses in the foreign exchange market. He described restoring the bank to its core mandate and rebuilding stability as key outcomes of the period.

ECOWAS warns climate change could displace 32 million by 2050

Nigerian equities gain N297bn as buying activity strengthens

By
Kehinde Victor
-

KEY POINTS

• Market capitalisation rose by N297 billion to N162.682 trillion.

• The All Share Index gained 0.18 per cent to close at 250,614.66.

• Trading volume increased by 45.82 per cent to 837.26 million shares.

MAIN STORY

The Nigerian equities market extended its positive run on Tuesday as increased buying interest in banking, financial services and consumer goods stocks lifted the market by 0.18 per cent.

Market capitalisation rose to N162.682 trillion from N162.385 trillion recorded on Monday, representing a N297 billion increase.

The All Share Index also advanced by 457.86 points to close at 250,614.66.

The session was supported by buying interest in several medium and large capitalised stocks, including Sovereign Trust Insurance, Critical Minerals Financing Corp, Neimeth International Pharmaceutical, Cadbury Nigeria and Fortis Global Insurance.

The market’s year to date return consequently increased to 61.05 per cent, while market breadth remained positive with 36 stocks recording gains against 26 decliners.

Sovereign Trust Insurance topped the gainers with a 9.95 per cent increase to N2.21. Critical Minerals Financing Corp followed with a 9.82 per cent rise to N2.46, while Neimeth International Pharmaceutical gained 8.90 per cent to close at N7.95 per share.

Cadbury Nigeria rose 8.29 per cent to N60.10, while Fortis Global Insurance advanced 7.73 per cent to N1.95 per share.

The negative side was led by Multiverse Mining, which declined 9.86 per cent to N19.20. Haldane McCall fell 9.39 per cent to N2.99, while Champion Breweries dropped 8.68 per cent to N10 per share.

Mutual Benefits declined 8.38 per cent to N3.50, while AXA Mansard Insurance lost 6.67 per cent to close at N11.20 per share.

Trading activity also picked up during the session, with total volume increasing by 45.82 per cent to 837.26 million shares. The transactions were valued at N48.57 billion across 52,126 deals.

Fidelity Bank recorded the highest volume, with 165.43 million shares traded, accounting for 19.76 per cent of total market volume.

Zenith Bank recorded the highest value traded at N13.73 billion, representing 28.27 per cent of total value traded.

THE ISSUES

  1. The market’s gain reflected stronger demand for selected banking, financial services and consumer goods stocks, with buying activity concentrated in medium and large capitalised companies.
  2. The increase in market capitalisation and the All Share Index pushed the market’s year to date return to 61.05 per cent, extending the positive performance recorded during the year.
  3. Trading activity strengthened significantly, with volume rising by 45.82 per cent. Fidelity Bank dominated the number of shares traded, while Zenith Bank accounted for the largest value of transactions.
  4. Despite the overall market gain, declines remained widespread among 26 stocks, showing that the positive session was not uniform across all listed companies.

WHAT’S NEXT

The market will continue to be shaped by buying activity across banking, financial services, consumer goods and other actively traded stocks, with investor demand reflected in price movements and trading volumes.

BOTTOM LINE

Nigerian equities gained N297 billion on Tuesday as increased buying interest lifted the All Share Index by 0.18 per cent. Trading activity also strengthened, with volume rising to 837.26 million shares.

Trump says US border is most secure in its history

ECOWAS warns climate change could displace 32 million by 2050

By
Kehinde Victor
-
ECOWAS Imposes Penalties On Niger Military Junta's Supporters

KEY POINTS

• ECOWAS says climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity could push internal displacement in West Africa to 32 million by 2050.

• Women and children could account for about 80 per cent of those affected.

• ECOWAS says West Africa needs $294 billion to tackle climate change and strengthen resilience.

MAIN STORY

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned that the combined effects of climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity could leave about 32 million people internally displaced across the sub region by 2050.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Gen. Birame Diop, gave the projection on Tuesday at the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra, Ghana.

The week long seminar is focused on the theme, “Climate Change as A Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Rising Insecurity”.

Diop, who was represented by Prof. Nassirou Bako Arifari, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, said women and children could make up about 80 per cent of the projected displaced population, citing World Bank projections.

He said the scale of the challenge required regional action, noting that about two million West Africans were displaced by climate related natural disasters in 2024 alone.

More than seven million people were also affected by flooding during the year, with homes, roads, schools, health facilities, farms and other critical infrastructure destroyed.

Diop further disclosed that more than 12 million people were internally displaced across West and Central Africa between 2025 and 2026 due to the combined effects of climate change, insecurity and other vulnerabilities.

He identified climate financing as one of the major challenges facing the region, saying West Africa requires about $294 billion to respond to the climate crisis.

ECOWAS has been working since 2024 to establish a regional carbon market platform under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement as part of efforts to mobilise investment for climate action.

THE ISSUES

  1. Climate related displacement is increasingly linked with wider humanitarian and security pressures in West Africa. The projected rise in internally displaced people could place additional pressure on communities and public infrastructure already affected by environmental damage and insecurity.
  2. Flooding and other climate related disasters are already affecting essential infrastructure and livelihoods. Damage to homes, roads, schools, health facilities and farms can deepen economic and social vulnerabilities in affected communities.
  3. The financing gap remains a major obstacle to climate resilience. ECOWAS estimates that the sub region needs $294 billion to tackle the effects of climate change, making access to climate finance a central part of the regional response.
  4. The proposed regional carbon market is intended to help mobilise investment for climate action. ECOWAS has been pursuing the platform since 2024 under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“West Africa requires about 294 billion dollars to tackle the crisis of climate change.” – Gen. Birame Diop, President, ECOWAS Commission

“Climate change is not simply an environmental issue. It is a development issue, a humanitarian issue, a peace and security issue, and ultimately an issue of human survival and regional stability.” – Gen. Birame Diop, President, ECOWAS Commission

“We must be proactive and invest in resilience before crises occur. We must protect ecosystems, create livelihoods and address grievances before they escalate into conflict.” – Gen. Birame Diop, President, ECOWAS Commission

WHAT’S NEXT

Diop urged ECOWAS member states to adopt a comprehensive regional approach to climate resilience and human security rather than fragmented responses.

He called on regional parliamentarians to strengthen climate responsive legislation and oversight, while prioritising climate financing and improving early warning and early action systems.

He also urged governments to promote sustainable management of land, water, forests and fisheries, while giving greater attention to women and youths in climate resilience efforts.

BOTTOM LINE

ECOWAS says climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity could drive internal displacement to about 32 million people by 2050. The commission is calling for stronger regional coordination, increased climate financing and greater investment in resilience before climate related crises worsen.

NBS, ILO seek stronger social protection data coordination
1...192021...3,342Page 20 of 3,342