SOURCED FROM CURRENT NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS
Filipino tennis star Alex Eala got a warm welcome from fans in Singapore as she prepares for her next match at the Singapore Tennis Open.
In an Instagram story, Eala showed fans chanting her name and cheering her on before she joined them for a selfie.
Eala is set to face Tatiana Prozorova in the Round of 16 of the WTA 500 tournament.
The 21-year-old Filipino recently reached a career-high No. 18 in the WTA rankings.
Bataan and Pasig dispute the seventh playoff seat in the North Division play-in stage at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Camaya Events Place Center in Mariveles, Bataan.
The Pasiguenos crawled out of a 15-point hole to beat the Bataan Risers, 97-96, in overtime on May 12, and are looking for a repeat to advance to the quarterfinal round with the six outright qualifiers and whoever will become the eighth and last survivor.
If Bataan – ranked No. 7 after the round-robin elimination phase – exacts revenge, the Risers will advance to the playoff, leaving eighth-ranked Pasig to tackle the winner between No. 9 Quezon City and No. 10 Valenzuela City in the 5 p.m. opener.
The loser between the Quezon City Black Bulls and the Valenzuela Darkhorse ends their stint in this year’s 26-team tournament.
Pasig will be led by MPBL All-Star Warlo Batac, Jacob Galicia, Jerome Garcia, Michael Lambino, Jhapz Bautista and Ahron Estacio, who forced overtime and delivered the lethal points against Bataan in their first encounter.
Speedsters Alfred Flores and Robbie Darang, Chris Javier, homegrown Yves Sazon, Hubert Cani, Migs Corteza, Mitchelle Maynes and Joshua Gallano will power Bataan.
Valenzuela beat Quezon City, 90-83, on May 14, but the Black Bulls eventually emerged as No. 9 with an 11-4 record, surpassing the Darkhorses’ 10-15.
The Darkhorses will bank on veterans Jay Collado and Ian Melencio, along with Shaq Alanes, CJ Alattica, Geremy Robinson, JR Olegario, JR Ongteco and Angelo Obuyes.
Quezon City draws firepower from All-Star MJ Joson, Kobe Monje, Jake Agoncillo, Val Chauca, Ryan Costelo, Pat Buena and Rey Publico.
The National Arts Council (Basata) has imposed Sh19 million in fines on musicians Harmonize and Nandy, a music video director, and two event organisers over breaches of ethical and regulatory requirements governing Tanzania’s arts industry.
The sanctions, which also include temporary bans on engaging in artistic activities for some of those fined, followed separate cases involving the distribution of a music video, a performance at the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final and the organisation of an arts event without the required permit.
In a statement issued by Basata acting executive secretary Edward Buganga dated September 22, 2026, Basata said the measures were aimed at ensuring that artists and other stakeholders in the creative industry complied with the laws, regulations, guidelines and ethical standards governing artistic activities. ‘Basata issues fines to artists and arts stakeholders to ensure they comply with the laws, regulations, guidelines and ethics of Tanzanian society when carrying out their artistic activities,’ reads part of the statement.
The largest individual penalties, Sh5 million each, were imposed on Bongo Flava musician Rajab Abdul Kahali, popularly known as Harmonize, and music video director Kennedy David Sanga over the video for Harmonize’s song ‘Kudos’.
Basata said the video violated Regulation 20(a) of the National Arts Council Regulations, Government Notice No. 137 of May 22, 2026, which the council said covers content that violates the dignity of listeners or viewers.
‘The artist was accused of committing an ethical offence by distributing a video for a song called ‘Kudos’ which completely failed to observe the ethics of Tanzanian society and which violates the dignity of the listener or viewer,’ reads another part of the statement.
The council said Harmonize had not submitted a defence or alternative explanation by the time it reached its decision.
As a result, Basata ordered him to remove the video from his social media platforms, pay the Sh5 million fine within 14 days and refrain from engaging in artistic activities until he complied with the decision.
Director Kenny faced similar sanctions because of his role in directing the video, with Basata saying that the production itself amounted to an ethical violation.
‘After being heard, it was established that he committed an ethical offence,’ reads the statement.
He was consequently ordered to remove the video from his social media platforms, pay Sh5 million within 14 days and stop engaging in artistic activities until he implemented the council’s decision.
While the ‘Kudos’ case accounted for Sh10 million of the fines, another Sh6 million was imposed in connection with the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final, where singer Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known as Nandy, was fined Sh3 million over her attire during a performance.
The final was held at Haddypro in Dar es Salaam, where Basata said the singer wore clothing that was not considered decent and violated the dignity of viewers.
‘The artist was accused of committing an ethical offence by wearing clothing that was not decent and which violated the dignity of the viewer while performing at the final of the Miss Universe 2026 competition,’ reads another statement.
Unlike Harmonize and Mr Sanga, however, Basata said Nandy admitted the offence, removed the video from her social media platforms and paid the Sh3 million fine.
The council consequently allowed Nandy to continue with her artistic activities, although under its supervision.
The same incident also resulted in a Sh3 million fine against Millen Privé and Co. Lifestyle Limited, the organiser of Miss Universe Tanzania, with Basata holding the company responsible for allowing the alleged ethical violation to occur during the event.
The company was ordered to pay the fine within 14 days of the decision.
Basata’s enforcement action also covered the organisation of arts events, with Avil Contractors Company Ltd, the organiser of Miss Grand Tanzania, receiving a Sh3 million fine for holding the competition without an event permit from the council.
The council said it served the company with a notice of the alleged offence on August 12, 2026, and gave it 21 days to submit its defence, but it failed to do so.
Basata therefore ordered the company to pay the Sh3 million fine within 14 days and refrain from engaging in artistic activities until it complied with the decision.
The five cases bring the total value of fines imposed by Basata to Sh19 million, with the council applying additional restrictions in cases where those sanctioned had yet to comply with its decisions.
Tanzania needs to invest about $15.6 million (more than Sh40 billion) over the next four years to help eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B by 2030, according to a new study.
The study by Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and the ministry of Health shows that the investment could prevent 5,054 new infections among children and save 1,946 lives between 2027 and 2030, the study released yesterday found.
The study estimates that Tanzania has about 3.02 million pregnancies annually, with 2.71 million women attending antenatal care (ANC) at least once. Although 98.3 percent of pregnant women are tested for HIV at their first ANC visit, coverage falls to 45.4 percent for repeat testing during the final three months of pregnancy.
For syphilis, 83 percent of pregnant women are tested, below the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of 95 percent, while 91.9 percent of those diagnosed receive treatment.
The gaps are wider for hepatitis B. HBsAg testing among pregnant women stands at 45 percent, while HBeAg testing is not currently available.
Only 10 percent of pregnant women with hepatitis B receive preventive treatment with tenofovir (TDF).
EGPAF Tanzania Resident Director Dr Sajida Kimambo said the study was conducted to establish the resources required to support the Government’s efforts to eliminate the three infections.
‘We saw that the Ministry of Health had launched a good programme to address syphilis, HIV and hepatitis, so we decided to support those efforts by identifying the resources required to prevent mother-to-child transmission,’ she said.
The study estimates that $11.3 million would be needed for testing, treatment and prevention, while another $4.32 million would support health facility capacity, monitoring and community engagement.
Researchers estimate the investment could avert $16.9 million in lifetime treatment costs for children who avoid infection, including $15.5 million linked to preventing 2,489 HIV infections.
EGPAF Senior Technical Advisor Dr Catherine Nnko said Tanzania had incorporated the WHO elimination agenda into its national health strategies.
The study recommends increasing HBsAg testing to 90 percent and TDF coverage among eligible pregnant women to 90 percent by 2030.
It also proposes raising antiretroviral coverage among pregnant women living with HIV from 90.3 percent to 95 percent and viral suppression from 89.2 percent to 95 percent.
Researchers say the findings can guide resource allocation, service delivery and efforts to secure sustainable financing for the elimination targets.
A lawmaker is proposing the provision of more powers to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so that it can fight rogue online lending applications (OLA) and abusive debt collectors, amid numerous complaints filed before authorities.
In a statement on Wednesday, Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said he has filed House Bill (HB) No. 9738, or the proposed Fair Debt Collection and Digital Lending Consumer Protection Act, which seeks to empower the SEC and create a list of prohibited actions-like harassment of loanees, threats of violence, and public shaming.
According to Vargas, the bill is necessary to protect the dignity of Filipinos who, sometimes, have no other recourse but to borrow from online lenders just so they could make ends meet.
‘Madalas, kapit sa patalim na ang mga umuutang sa mga digital lenders. Layunin natin silang protektahan mula sa lalong kagipitan dala ng mga mapanakot, abusado, at iligal na paraan ng paniningil,’ Vargas said.
(Oftentimes, those who take loans from digital lenders are on a razor’s edge. Our goal is to protect them from further difficulties brought by fear-mongering, abusive, and illegal methods of securing payments.)
‘Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, binibigyan natin ang SEC ng dagdag na awtoridad para linisin ang digital lending sector, ipasara ang mga iligal na OLA, at panagutin sa batas ang mga nangha-harass,’ Vargas said.
(Through this proposal, the SEC gives additional authority to clean the ranks of the digital lending sector, order the closure of illegal OLAs, and hold accountable those who harass loanees.)
Under the bill, the SEC will be the primary implementing agency, which shall coordinate with the National Privacy Commission (NPC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The SEC will be tasked with establishing a Verified Collection Identity System where covered entities-lending companies under Republic Act No. 9474, OLAs, third-party collection agencies, or individuals engaged in the collection of debts-are required to register their duly authorized collection agents and the communication channels they will use.
‘The SEC shall maintain a centralized, publicly accessible verification platform that allows borrowers to confirm the identity of collection agents and the authenticity of communications,’ Section 6 of the proposed bill stated.
‘All collection communications must […] Originate solely from registered communication channels; and contain sufficient identifying information as may be prescribed by the SEC,’ it added. ‘The use of unregistered, spoofed, anonymous, or deceptive communication channels is strictly prohibited.’
The following activities are considered prohibited:
Harassment, intimidation, or threat of harm
Use of obscene, profane, or abusive language
Public shaming or disclosure of borrower information to third parties without a lawful basis, in violation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012
Communication with persons other than the borrower, except as permitted by law or with express consent
Excessive or unreasonable communications, including those made at unreasonable hours or frequency as may be defined by the SEC
Misrepresentation of the amount owed, terms of the loan, or consequences of non-payment
False threats of legal action or criminal prosecution
Use of unregistered communication channels
Any deceptive, unfair, or unconscionable means in debt collection
‘After due notice and hearing, the SEC may impose the following […] Fines ranging from P50,000 to P5 million, depending on gravity; suspension or revocation of Certificate of Authority; blacklisting and permanent disqualification of the entity and responsible officers; compliance and cease-and-desist orders; and referral for criminal prosecution under applicable laws,’ Vargas said in Section 9.
The following laws, meanwhile, may be used to prosecute violators:
Grave Threats, Light Threats, Coercion, Unjust Vexation, and Defamation under the Revised Penal Code
Cyber-related offenses, including but not limited to cyber libel, unlawful use of electronic communications, and other analogous acts under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
Unauthorized processing, disclosure, or misuse of personal data under the Data Privacy Act of 2012
‘While we support financial inclusion, we will never tolerate harassment of any kind. Hindi pwedeng kapalit ng pag-utang sa oras ng pangangailangan ang kawalan ng dignidad at seguridad ng ating mga mamamayan,’ Vargas noted.
(While we support financial inclusion, we will never tolerate harassment of any kind. The people should not give up their dignity and security in exchange for taking loans in times of crises and emergencies.)
Just earlier, it was reported that the SEC has ordered online lending platform CredLadder to immediately stop operating due to unauthorized lending activities and abusive collection practices.
In a cease-and-desist order, the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department said CredLadder had continued operating even after the regulator issued an advisory against the platform in June.
The regulator highlighted that CredLadder was not in its database of online lenders or the Department of Trade and Industry’s Business Name Registration System. CredLadder allegedly imposed excessive interest charges and sent humiliating or threatening messages to borrowers.
However, reports of abusive behavior from OLAs are not new. In March 2026, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) revealed that it has received over 47,000 complaints of allegedly abusive behavior by companies with OLA functions, in less than two years, from August 2024 to January 2026.
PAOCC Executive Director Benjamin Acorda Jr. shared this with the media in Camp Crame on Monday, after signing a memorandum of agreement with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to strengthen its campaign against illegal online activities.
‘What hurts there is that, with most of our countrymen, there are reports of depression. They don’t know how to settle their debts,’ Acorda said in the March 16, 2026 press briefing.
‘There are some instances wherein, instead of them paying off their debts, it only balloons further,’ he added.
To boost air connectivity, Ethiopian Airlines has strengthened its presence in Nigeria with increased flight frequencies and the introduction of a new service to Port Harcourt.
Under the expansion, Ethiopian Airlines has increased its Lagos operation to 21 weekly flights, offering up to three daily services, while also increasing frequencies to Kano by four, bringing the total to 11 flights a week.
The airline will additionally commence four weekly flights to Port Harcourt, complementing its existing services to Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu. With the PH flight, ET would be operating 53 weekly flights to Nigeria.
Speaking on the expansion, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, said the increased capacity reflects the airline’s confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market and its wider economic potential.
‘Nigeria remains a very important market for Ethiopian Airlines. By increasing our frequencies and adding Port Harcourt, we are giving passengers more flexibility, greater seat availability, better connectivity, and access to more attractive and competitive fares,’ Mekonnen said.
She further explained that the expansion goes beyond passenger convenience and will contribute to Nigeria’s tourism, trade, investment, and employment while creating additional business opportunities for local service providers.
‘Every additional flight creates economic activity. It means more business for Nigerian ground handling companies, airports, travel agencies, hotels, transport providers, catering, and other local service providers, while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities,’ she explained.
Mekonnen also highlighted Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s inbound tourism, using its extensive global network to connect international visitors to the country.
‘Our objective is not only to connect Nigerians to the world, but also to bring more of the world to Nigeria. Better air connectivity can support tourism, facilitate trade and investment, and contribute to Nigeria’s wider economic growth.’
Mekonnen expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, airport authorities, and other stakeholders for their continued support.
Controversies have trailed the latest flight disruption statistics released by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), with major domestic airlines challenging the accuracy and interpretation of the figures, particularly the number of flights attributed to individual carriers.
The NCAA’s summary of domestic airline flight disruption operations for August 2026 showed that 4,765 out of 7,961 domestic flights operated during the month were delayed, representing 59.9 percent of total operations.
However, Air Peace, the country’s largest carrier by the number of operations in the NCAA report, has disputed the figures, saying the regulator significantly understated its August flight volume and consequently overstated its delay rate.
According to the NCAA report, Air Peace operated 1,864 flights in August, of which 1,330 were delayed, translating to a delay rate of about 71.4 percent.
But the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, in a statement, on Thursday, said Air Peace actually operated 2,564 flights during the month, 700 more flights than reflected in the NCAA report.
She argued that the omission distorted the airline’s performance metrics and gave an inaccurate picture of its operational performance.
Olajide also questioned why the NCAA commenced its monthly disruption series with August, rather than July, following the publication of its first- and second-quarter reports on July 31.
She said the absence of equivalent July data, coupled with what she described as the unusually rapid release of detailed August figures, raised questions about the regulator’s data-collection and validation processes.
The Air Peace executive further disputed the attribution of its delays, saying only 391 of the delays experienced by the airline in August were caused by internal factors.
She said the 391 flights represented about 15 per cent of the airline’s total delays, while the majority resulted from external factors, including airport congestion, weather, bird strikes, airport infrastructure limitations, industrial action and damage to aircraft by a ground-handling company.
Olajide cited the case of an Air Peace aircraft, 5N-BYG, which suffered a bird strike in Abuja and subsequently required the replacement of its inlet cowl at a cost of about $1.8 million.
In his reaction to the report, Olawuyi argued that the data should distinguish between controllable and uncontrollable delays.
‘The first problem we have with that data, personally speaking, is that the data was not presented in a way where we have removed controllable delays and uncontrollable delays.’
He said airport congestion was one of the recurring causes of delays, explaining that aircraft could be prevented from pushing back or taking off on schedule because of congestion on ramps and taxiways.
He also cited technical problems and adverse weather as operational factors that airlines must manage without compromising flight safety.
Former Military Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Group Captain John Ojikutu, in his comment on the controversy, called for an independent audit of aviation traffic and passenger data generated by the NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Ojikutu said discrepancies in passenger and traffic figures had implications beyond flight punctuality, particularly because such figures are used in the calculation and collection of aviation charges, including the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Passenger Service Charge (PSC).
He argued that an independent external auditor should reconcile the different datasets maintained by the agencies.
‘The NCAA and FAAN passenger traffic figures I have known for years are very different for the calculations of the TSC and PSC respectively,’ he said, questioning why the figures differ.
Ojikutu also pointed to differences between NAMA’s Persons-On-Board figures and the Passenger-On-Board figures used by other agencies.
He maintained that an independent audit would help establish a common and verifiable database for flights and passenger movements and reduce disputes surrounding aviation revenues and industry statistics.
In his submission, former spokesperson of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Mr Chris Aligbe, urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to establish a research and development unit to provide data-driven solutions to challenges confronting the aviation sector and guide policy decisions.
Aligbe, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Belujane Konzult, lamented the absence of a research and development structure within the industry, saying it had contributed to poor policy decisions, particularly in route planning, airline operations and revenue generation.
‘I think one of the big problems we have in the industry is that there is no section, even within the airlines or the agencies, particularly the NCAA, that is a regulator, that has a research and development unit. We need that in the industry because when airlines want to go to Abuja, for instance, the NCAA will say: ‘sorry, this is what has happened over the years. We cannot allow you to go there because you will fly empty or you’ll come back and start having problems’, he said.
‘The same thing in the West Coast. I keep complaining. I am not against any airline, but I feel pain. When a small airline comes and flies 27 weekly frequencies into Nigeria to a place where Nigerians are not going directly, they are carrying our airlines, our passengers to that place and flying them out.
‘It is painful. That’s why sometimes I complain vehemently. And the killer airlines, killer bugs, are coming, the sub-regional airlines. They are not going to survive for a long time because their vision is partly political and others, except maybe one or two of them. But they will undermine the bigger airlines that have been there. And when they undermine them, eventually they will die, like bugs, but they would have killed the others.
‘That’s why we need research departments to be able to achieve some of these things, and improve the revenue situation. We should also be able to review the policy and revenue policy in the industry every five years,’ Aligbe emphasised.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has appealed to the Federal Government to grant amnesty to repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi region of Rivers State who have chosen to lay down their arms, renounce violence and embrace a normal and productive life.
The Orashi region comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Nwuche said many youths in the area, following appeals and advice from concerned leaders, were now prepared to lay down their arms and abandon violent and criminal activities, stressing that such persons should be given an opportunity to reform, become productive and reintegrate into society.
Nwuche made the appeal while speaking through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, at a large gathering of Ekpeye people during the commencement of the 2026 Upata Folklore (Ele) traditional celebrations at Ula Upata in Ahoada East Local Government Area on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
The former Deputy Speaker expressed concern that Ahoada, which was once a thriving divisional headquarters, had become a shadow of its former self because of insecurity.
He said the Orashi region, particularly Ekpeye land, had witnessed severe killings and various forms of criminality in recent times.
Nwuche recalled the gruesome killing of the then serving Divisional Police Officer, late CSP Bako Amgbashim and paid glowing tribute to the late police officer, describing him as a dedicated, intelligent and gallant officer. He regretted the circumstances in which his life was tragically cut short.
He said several letters of appeal had been written to the Rivers State Government on the need for an amnesty programme for repentant youths, but that no action had yet been taken.
Nwuche therefore appealed to the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to consider granting amnesty to repentant cultists and violent youths in the affected communities, with appropriate measures for their engagement, rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration.
He urged Ekpeye youths still involved in criminal activities, including cultism, robbery, kidnapping and assault against women, to immediately abandon such activities and embrace legitimate and meaningful means of livelihood.
‘Those who are still carrying guns and killing our people indiscriminately should stop and accept amnesty and be ready to be reintegrated into society,’ he said.
Nwuche noted that Ekpeye people were predominantly farmers and traders and should therefore be able to go about their legitimate daily activities without molestation, harassment or fear.
He said Ekpeye had lost hundreds of people over the years as a result of cultism and related violence, stressing that the situation must come to an end.
He further declared that Ekpeye land could no longer continue to serve as a haven for cultists and criminals, and called for concerted efforts by traditional rulers, community leaders, government and the people to restore peace and security to the area.
Nwuche urges Ekpeye monarchs to lead with dignity
Nwuche also used the occasion to urge the kings of Ekpeye Kingdom at all levels to lead with dignity and uphold the tradition of exemplary leadership associated with past monarchs.
He cited the late Eze Edmund Ashirm, Eze Robinson O. Robinson and Eze C. C. Nwuche, among others, whom he said had made their marks in Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond as respected and dignified leaders of their people.
He emphasised that Ekpeye was one and called on all kings, chiefs and people of the kingdom to rally around one another and project and defend the common interests of Ekpeye for peace, unity and prosperity.
Nwuche expressed profound appreciation to His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, JP, the Eze Igbu Upata III, for sustaining the age-old annual tradition and heritage of the Upata Folklore (Ele), which he said had been bequeathed to the people by their forefathers.
He urged all sons and daughters of Upata Kingdom to rally around the monarch and give him their cooperation and support, stressing that Ekpeye was one and that unity should remain the watchword despite differences.
He noted that since ascending the throne, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo had demonstrated outstanding fortitude and resilience in advancing the interests of Upata Kingdom and had defended the cause of Upata with determination and vigour.
Nwuche said the people of Upata should be grateful to Almighty God for giving them a worthy and befitting monarch who, he said, could proudly represent the kingdom anywhere in the world.
On the upgrading of the Upata Stool
Nwuche also recalled the long-standing request for the elevation of the Eze Igbu Upata stool to first-class status, arguing that Upata, being the largest subgroup in Ekpeye, deserved such recognition.
He said previous administrations of former Governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi did not grant the request, but that the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike eventually elevated the Upata stool, alongside six others, to first-class status.
According to him, the development brought to reality a dream associated with the late Eze C. C. Nwuche.
On politics, Nwuche reminded the people that the 2027 general elections were approaching and that intense political campaigns would soon commence.
He urged the people of Ekpeye to use their votes wisely, saying he owed the people a responsibility to provide guidance.
‘We have seen and known all those seeking our votes, and I will therefore urge you not to waste your votes but to support those who have shown attention and developed Ekpeye land,’ he said.
Nwuche said, according to his assessment, every Ekpeye son and daughter had witnessed what he described as massive and unprecedented infrastructural and human-capital development in Ekpeye land during the tenure of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State,
He cited various projects executed by the Wike administration and said the development recorded during the period remained significant in the history of the area.
Nwuche reiterated that, at the appropriate time, he would go round the entire Ekpeye and Orashi region to galvanise support for the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition.
He said: ‘That is where our development lies, judging by what Nyesom Wike did for us when he was governor, I have the confidence that he will influence more development for our people.’
The former Deputy Speaker also advised the people of Ekpeye to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and vote for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
EZE OTUWARIKPO DECLARES FOLKLORE OPEN
Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Upata Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, declared the 2026 Upata Folklore (Ele) open.
The monarch said the annual celebration was a celebration of the culture, heritage and identity of the Upata people and a tradition that had endured for many generations and welcomed the mass attendance and enthusiasm shown by the people.
He explained that the celebration traditionally comes after the harvest and provides an opportunity for the people to come together in thanksgiving, love, unity and hospitality.
The event was attended by representatives of the chairmen of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, the Ada Upata, as well as women, youth and student groups from across Upata Kingdom and friends of kingdom.
The Upata Folklore (Ele), which comes after the harvest, is a period during which the people celebrate love and unity while demonstrating the hospitality and cultural heritage of the Ekpeye people.
Gifts were presented to the Eze Igbu Upata III and the Council of Chiefs by the former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, the Ada Upata, High Chief Gift Mercy, and other individuals and groups.
The celebration also featured cultural displays and traditional dances by different groups as well as goodwill speeches by sons and daughters of Ekpeye kingdom
The climax of the event was the presentation of gifts to visitors, women, youths, students and other participants by the Eze Igbu Upata III.
Nigeria and its international partners have spearheaded a comprehensive diplomatic push at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
They addressed crucial challenges across education financing, counter-terrorism, migration cooperation, international security, development capital, and global governance reform.
Led by Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside key cabinet ministers, the Nigerian delegation emphasised that sustainable development across Africa requires a combination of increased domestic resource mobilisation, fairer access to global capital, and strong multilateral partnerships.
At the centre of these engagements was a major joint effort by Nigeria and Italy to mobilise $5 billion for global education through the Global Partnership for Education.
Co-hosting the Multiply Possibility high-level event, both nations highlighted the initiative as a vital compact for human capital.
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to viewing education as a strategic economic investment, while Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa called for sustained support for terrorism victims.
Simultaneously, Nigeria advanced migration negotiations with the European Union, pledged to restore its leadership in global peacekeeping, and urged global financial institutions to lower borrowing costs for developing nations.
Concurrently, the Group of Four nations strongly backed Africa’s demand for permanent representation on a reformed UN Security Council.
Nigeria, Italy mobilising $5b for human capital
Nigeria and Italy stepped up efforts to mobilise $5 billion for global education during the Multiply Possibility high-level event held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
In a video message to the gathering, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that the vision of the Global Partnership for Education aligns with his administration’s drive to expand access to quality education, improve learning outcomes, and build teacher capacity across Nigeria.
Shettima told world leaders that the federal government regards education as a strategic investment in the country’s economic future rather than standard public expenditure.
He outlined several domestic financing initiatives launched since 2023, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and revealed that the government is channelling recovered Economic and Financial Crimes Commission assets, unclaimed dividends, and dormant funds into education.
Shettima noted that international cooperation, such as the joint HOPE-EDU programme with the World Bank and GPE, will complement these domestic resources to reach 29 million children and 500,000 teachers nationwide.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended Nigeria’s leadership and announced a pound 50 million pledge from Italy toward GPE programmes.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, GPE Board Chairman Jakaya Kikwete, and education activist Malala Yousafzai also addressed the event, urging international financial institutions and global donors to create fiscal space for developing countries, improve teacher training, and prioritise funding for girls’ education.
Musa seeks long-term support
At the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, Gen. Musa urged the international community to transition from short-term emergency aid to sustained, long-term rehabilitation and reintegration for survivors.
Highlighting that Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for roughly 60 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2025, Musa stressed that behind the statistics lie displaced families, fractured communities, and destroyed livelihoods requiring coordinated global action.
The Defence Minister detailed Nigeria’s ongoing accountability measures, disclosing that the country secured 865 terrorism-related convictions in 2026 while continuing to prioritise captive liberation, medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, and community reintegration.
Drawing from domestic experience, Musa proposed a three-point framework for international cooperation focusing on enhanced peer learning, inclusive partnerships involving victims’ associations, and expanded technical support from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.
During an operational visit to the Defence Section of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Gen. Musa reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s active role in international peace and security efforts.
Meeting with Defence Attaché Brig.-Gen. E. A Koleosho, Musa emphasised that revitalising Nigeria’s participation in global peacekeeping operations remains central to promoting regional and international stability.
Gen. Musa commended the military personnel attached to the mission for their professionalism and steadfast dedication to upholding the ideals of both the United Nations and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Oyedele seeks reform of capital access
At the UN Dialogue on Solutions to Climate Finance, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, called for urgent structural reforms in global financial markets to provide African nations with cheaper, long-term development capital.
Oyedele criticised the high financing costs and currency risks facing African countries, characterising these extra financial burdens as a prejudice premium and stereotype tax that penalise developing economies.
The Finance Minister argued that climate finance must address Africa’s severe energy access gap rather than focusing exclusively on emissions reduction.
He advocated for increased investment in natural gas and other transition energy sources to expand reliable electricity across the continent, noting that a secure African energy sector contributes to global energy stability.
Oyedele maintained that international financing mechanisms must become simpler, more affordable, and better tailored to the economic realities of developing nations.
EU-Nigeria discuss migration, security
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, to discuss advancing the long-pending EU-Nigeria Re-Admission Agreement.
First initiated in 2016, the agreement was heavily evaluated during recent bilateral dialogues, with both parties seeking to establish a structured and comprehensive migration framework.
During the meeting, Commissioner Brunner noted that concluding the re-admission agreement would open doors for enhanced legal mobility and talent partnerships, addressing labour shortages in Europe while benefiting Nigerian professionals.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised that any final agreement must include robust reintegration support for returnees, infrastructure development assistance, and expanded legal pathways for young Nigerians.
Both sides expressed intention to finalise these terms during a planned ministerial visit to Abuja in November 2026.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has addressed the silence of some of his former colleagues, friends and associates amid his current circumstances, saying he does not resent those who have chosen not to stand by him.
El-Rufai, in a statement titled ‘My Relationships and the Aftermath,’ said he had received concerns over the apparent silence of people he had publicly supported or closely associated with in the past.
He said his decision to stand by people and causes throughout his life was guided by his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience.
‘Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost,’ he said.
According to him, such actions were not motivated by expectations of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but by his conviction that they were the right things to do.
El-Rufai said those he had supported were equally free to make their own choices now that their circumstances had changed.
He noted that some might speak in his support, while others might remain silent or even distance themselves from relationships they previously shared.
‘Their reasons are their own, and I do not wish to judge them merely because their response differs from what others or even I might have expected,’ he said.
The former governor said difficult circumstances could reveal the nature of relationships, adding that the experience of the past few months might cause him to reconsider some relationships.
‘Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,’ he said, adding that what he had learnt during the difficult period could lead him to ‘quietly and without regret’ reassess certain relationships and what people who look up to him expect from them.
He, however, stressed that such reassessment should not be interpreted as condemnation or reproach.
El-Rufai said he had no regrets about supporting people or causes whenever he believed doing so was right.
‘I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,’ he said.
He added that he would rather remain faithful to the principles that had guided his conduct than allow the actions of others to change those principles.
On any perceived injustice, ingratitude or injury against him, El-Rufai said he was not seeking revenge or retribution.
‘Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter,’ he said.
He concluded by saying that everyone would ultimately have to live with the choices they made, while posterity would form its own judgment.
‘My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah,’ he said.
El-Rufai, who accused the Tinubu administration of witchhunt, has spent 220 days in detention.