REVIEW: ASUS ExpertBook Ultra goes big on AI, brings a premium feel to productivity

Business laptops have never really had a reputation for being exciting.

For years, the category has been defined by practicality: reliable for long workdays, secure for company data and understated enough for office environments. Most are built to get the job done-but rarely become devices people actively enjoy using.

But work has changed.

People move between offices and cafés, spend hours in meetings, create more content and are beginning to integrate AI into everyday workflows. Expectations have expanded beyond battery life and spreadsheets. The first thing you notice about the ExpertBook Ultra isn’t AI-it’s the weight.

At just around a kilogram depending on configuration, this is the kind of laptop you stop thinking twice about bringing along. It slips into a bag and disappears until you need it.

But despite the portability, it doesn’t feel fragile. The magnesium-aluminum chassis keeps things rigid, while the 9H Nano Ceramic Finish, available in Jet Fog and Morn Grey, gives it a premium feel right off the bat, making it feel less like an office-issued machine and more like a flagship device built for work. Designed to resist stains, scratches and smudges, the finish keeps up with the demands of business leaders and CEOs who are always on the move.

The business-first thinking extends beyond materials too. Full I/O ports mean less dependence on dongles, while military-grade durability adds reassurance for those constantly moving between meetings, flights and changing work environments. Pair that with up to 26 hours of battery life and the ExpertBook Ultra starts feeling less like a desk-bound machine and more like something designed to move with you.

There’s a quiet confidence to that design choice. The ExpertBook Ultra doesn’t try hard to stand out, it simply feels elevated and just polished enough to give off that big boss energy.

AI that fits into the workflow and keeps work secureAI PCs have become one of the industry’s favorite categories lately, but many still feel like traditional laptops with a few AI labels added.

The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra however takes a more practical approach. Powered by up to Intel Core Ultra X9 processors and equipped with a dedicated AI neural processing unit (NPU), it leans into local AI experiences instead of relying entirely on the cloud-bringing lower latency and added peace of mind for certain tasks.

But beyond the technical side, what stood out more was the experience.

Features inside the ASUS MyExpert Suite, alongside the Copilot+ PC experience, don’t dramatically change how people work overnight but they reduce friction in ways that feel practical for business users. AI-assisted search makes files easier to retrieve, meeting tools like ASUS AI ExpertMeet make conversations easier to revisit and everyday productivity features cut down repetitive steps.

That sense of reassurance extends beyond AI. Through ASUS ExpertGuardian, the device delivers enterprise-grade protection with a NIST SP 800-193-compliant BIOS, long-term firmware and driver support, and multiple layers of security. IT teams can also remotely monitor, manage, and control devices at both the BIOS and OS levels-reinforcing that premium productivity isn’t just about performance, but reliability and confidence over time.

That ends up becoming the theme of the ExpertBook Ultra: not replacing work with AI, but making work feel smoother and knowing that when you do need AI to speed things up, the capability is already there, delivered quickly, quietly and without disrupting the flow of work.

Comfort in the details

Business laptops rarely invest this much into the parts people spend the most time interacting with.

The ExpertBook Ultra’s 14-inch 3K Tandem OLED anti-glare display immediately feels like a beautiful upgrade from what the category usually offers. At this level, sharpness is expected but comfort becomes just as important during long work hours.

The anti-glare treatment makes a noticeable difference during extended sessions. Documents stay readable even in brighter environments-say, working from an outdoor café or under less-controled ghting -without maxing out brightness, while colors stay rich and contrast remains intact.

There’s also an overall smoothness to the visual experience. Scrolling through spreadsheets, switching between windows and reviewing presentations all feel fluid and stutter-free.

Navigation itself also feels more refined than expected thanks to the six-sensor haptic touchpad, which adds more consistency and precision compared with traditional click mechanisms.

Then there’s the audio. Laptop speakers usually exist just to get through meetings, but the ExpertBook Ultra’s six-speaker Dolby Atmos system setup gives calls, videos and even background music more presence than expected.

Voices sound fuller, presentations sound clearer, and if you end up being the designated DJ in the office area, the device’s audio won’t embarrass you either.

ASUS ExpertLumi: a thoughtful visual touchASUS added subtle ambient welcome and status lighting that gives the laptop a bit more personality every time it wakes or transitions between modes.

Combined with the display’s brightness and anti-glare treatment, it creates a viewing experience that feels calmer and more refined during long work sessions.

In our experience, it also gives your eyes something nicer to land on than another spreadsheet or deck. It’s a small touch, but one that reinforces the bigger idea behind the ExpertBook Ultra: productivity doesn’t always have to feel purely corporate.

For a device positioned around productivity, these details matter more than they seem. Better visuals and better sound don’t necessarily make you work faster, but they do make spending eight hours in front of a screen feel less draining.

Thin-and-light laptops usually come with a tradeoff: performance starts strong, until heat kicks in. However, the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra feels surprisingly composed under heavier, AI-demanding workloads.

Multiple browser windows, long calls and online meetings, content-heavy workflows and multitasking never made the device feel like it was struggling to keep up.

More importantly, it doesn’t draw attention to itself while doing it because there’s little of the fan noise, warm chassis or sudden bursts of cooling that often make you anxious that your thin laptop is working hard.The experience feels controlled. Apps open quickly. Switching contexts stays responsive.

Part of that balance comes from what ASUS is doing underneath. With up to a 50W CPU TDP supported by ASUS ExpertCool Pro thermal technology, the laptop feels designed to sustain performance rather than simply peak in short bursts.

You notice it less through benchmark numbers and more through consistency.

That balance ends up becoming one of the laptop’s strongest arguments. You get the portability expected from an ultraportable, but without constantly feeling like performance was sacrificed to get there.

ASUS ExpertBook: Flagship that means real businessHaving spent time with the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra, there were a few things that immediately stood out.

First is the tandem OLED display experience, which significantly elevates everyday laptop use. Beyond the crazy visual quality and richer colors, it’s the kind of screen that still performs comfortably even in outdoor settings, something that makes a real difference for people constantly moving.

Another likeable feature is the intuitive haptic touchpad. Its tactile feedback closely mimics a physical click while staying silent and precise. It may seem like a small detail, but touches like this make the laptop feel like more than just a machine built around specs.

Intelligence also plays a major role in shaping the experience through ASUS MyExpert, which supports both on-device and cloud AI. On paper, the device already makes a strong case with its performance-oriented processors and built-in AI neural processing unit (NPU), but what makes it land is how those components translate into actual day-to-day use.

The ASUS MyExpert suite-including Knowledge Hub, File Search, ExpertMeet, and the on-device AI Chat-demonstrates AI in a way that feels practical rather than performative. The tools work together to make workflows feel smarter, efficient and more seamless. At a time when AI has become everyone’s favorite buzzword, this feels closer to what AI on laptops should actually look like.

All that said, what ultimately stands out isn’t necessarily the AI, the thinness, or any single specification. It’s the way everything stacks together into a beautiful-looking, ultraportable device that feels more intentional than most business laptops. It truly adapts to the way you already work, and somehow gives you even more in return.

For years, business laptops have prioritized function above all else. But the ASUS ExpertBook shows that productivity and premium no longer have to exist separately.

The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra has been launched in the Philippines on July 1 and is priced starting at P129,995.

Eala ready to test defending champion Swiatek

Alex Eala’s remarkable rise is no longer measured merely by victories. It is now defined by the growing belief she inspires wherever she plays.

From Miami to Eastbourne and now the manicured lawns of Wimbledon, the 21-year-old Filipina has become one of tennis’ biggest crowd favorites. Fans have embraced her fearless style, infectious fighting spirit and refusal to surrender, turning every match into a showcase of her enormous potential. Every tournament seems to produce a breakthrough, every victory another chapter in what is fast becoming one of Philippine sports’ greatest stories.

Even with her right leg strapped – not because of injury but as a preventive measure – Eala continues to defy expectations. Whoever stands across the net and whatever the surface, she somehow finds another gear, delivering performances that seem even better than the last.

Her comeback victory over Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, on Thursday was another testament to that resilience. The triumph not only avenged her heartbreaking Eastbourne finals defeat to Joint a year ago, but also made history as Eala became the first Filipina to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

Now comes the biggest test yet.

Standing between Eala and a dream quarterfinal berth is none other than World No. 3 and reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek.

Against a player of Swiatek’s caliber, crowd support alone will not be enough. Neither will emotion nor momentum.

To pull off another shocker, Eala will need to produce her most complete performance yet – serving with precision, attacking with conviction, defending relentlessly and staying mentally composed during the inevitable pressure moments. She must dictate rallies instead of reacting to them, seize every short ball, protect her own serve and embrace the fearless brand of tennis that has carried her this far.

Swiatek herself enters the showdown in commanding form. After surviving a tough three-set opener against Taylor Townsend, the Polish superstar cruised past Karolina Pliskova, 6-1, 6-3, to arrange a third career meeting with the Filipina sensation.

The two have split their previous encounters.

In one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 season, Eala – then ranked just No. 140 – stunned Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, in the Miami Open quarterfinals, becoming the first Filipina to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal. That magical run eventually propelled her into her maiden WTA final at Eastbourne.

Swiatek, however, restored order weeks later in Madrid, rallying for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Saturday’s showdown offers a fresh twist. It will be their first meeting on grass – a surface that presents new challenges and perhaps new opportunities.

Eala knows exactly what awaits.

“I think it’s going to be tough for me,” she said after defeating Joint. “I’m going to try to make it tough for her as well.”

That hardly sounded like a threat.

It sounded more like quiet confidence.

“It’s a different surface than we’ve played at before, so I think definitely there should be some different aspects to the last time,” said Eala.

The young Filipina also recognizes the enormity of the challenge.

“She’s won a Slam on grass. She’s won a Slam on clay. She’s won a Slam on hard, so I’m expecting a great challenge,” she said.

Swiatek, for her part, knows better than to underestimate the player who stunned her in Miami.

“I don’t particularly know her game on grass,” said Swiatek. “Obviously, I know how she plays because we played already.”

She also acknowledged the qualities that make Eala one of the tour’s most dangerous rising stars.

“She has a tricky game. I can assume that on grass it’s even more tricky because of the surface. For sure, she’s using her strengths, the change of rhythm and everything,’ said Swiatek. ‘It will be a good challenge for me because she doesn’t give that rhythm.”

Those words speak volumes. Eala is no longer viewed simply as an exciting prospect. She has become a legitimate threat capable of unsettling even the world’s elite.

That is perhaps her greatest transformation.

Whether she pulls off another upset or bows out against one of the game’s finest, Eala has already announced herself on tennis’ grandest stage. She is no longer just representing Philippine tennis – she is helping redefine it.

And if she can summon one more fearless performance against the titleholder, another chapter of history may yet be waiting to be written on Wimbledon’s famous grass courts.

In Pangasinan, trees felled for capitol grounds dev’t

Environment advocates condemned the cutting of decades-old trees within the Pangasinan provincial capitol grounds here, saying redevelopment must not come at the cost of natural heritage.

A resident in this capital town, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told the Inquirer that at least 25 trees lining the central pathway at the capitol grounds were cut starting Monday noon.

The tree cutting, the resident said, continued until the wee hours. ‘When we woke up on Tuesday morning, the trees were gone,’ the resident said.

As shown on signages, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had granted the provincial government a permit to cut 192 trees on Aug. 8 last year. The trees set for removal as part of the ongoing development of the capitol grounds are between 10 and 50 years old.

Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Noriel Nisperos said the granting of the permit ‘went through [a] process’ and the ‘trees covered already have cavities.’

In a phone interview on Wednesday, Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III said the trees already cut were non-native and invasive like mahogany. He said the provincial government would preserve native species, like balete, while those already removed would be replaced.

‘They will be replaced with dita (indigenous evergreen tree) and possibly Palawan cherry (‘balayong’), which are both native species,’ he told the Inquirer.

‘Open space planning’

Guico said what was being done is ‘urbanscaping or open space planning and no building will be built on the site.’

‘Everything is planned, including drainage, traffic lights, and it will be pedestrian friendly. We will commission an artist to make a sculpture of Princess Urduja that will be placed in the middle as a symbol to unify all of us,’ he further said.

According to local legend, Princess Urduja, revered for her courage and leadership, ruled the Kingdom of Tawalisi (located somewhere along the coastline of modern-day Pangasinan) in the 14th century.

‘Just give us a couple of months. What is taking a long (time) is the construction of the drainage, but the already grown (balled) native trees will be planted in the area and with the rains, will flourish,’ Guico said.

In earlier interviews, he said the projects planned at the once tree-filled grounds were ‘something of cultural substance, a place where families can enjoy frolicking on weekends, iconically inspiring, intellectually engaging, and historically nostalgic.’

The area behind the capitol has been redeveloped with the construction of a reflecting pool and an interactive fountain.

But the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE) said the project ‘exemplifies an alarming development paradigm where redevelopment, commercialization, and infrastructure expansion are increasingly prioritized over ecological protection and the public’s right to a healthy environment.’

‘Living’ infrastructure

‘The trees that stand within the capitol grounds are more than landscape features. They are living environmental infrastructure that has taken decades to grow-absorbing carbon emissions, regulating urban temperatures, mitigating flooding, improving air quality, and providing refuge for local biodiversity,’ the group said in a statement.

‘Their destruction is not merely an alteration of the landscape; it is the irreversible loss of ecological services that no newly planted sapling can immediately replace,’ it added.

The group said while PPSE recognizes the need for development and the improvement of public infrastructure, they ‘reject the false choice that development must come at the expense of nature.’

‘Genuine progress should enhance, not diminish, the ecosystems that sustain our communities. Redevelopment should be designed around environmental preservation-not the other way around,’ the group said.

Groups reject PhilHealth scheme pushed by Recto

A large number of health professionals on Thursday said they were opposing a proposal by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to tie the type of benefit packages that Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) members could get to the amount of contributions they paid.

Over 70 groups of healthcare workers are instead urging the government to increase the budget allocated for PhilHealth to prevent ‘polarization’ between direct and indirect contributors.

In an open letter to Recto, which they presented during a press briefing on Thursday, the groups rejected his proposal which they said would lead to unequal PhilHealth benefits based on contributions-more for direct contributors, and less for indirect contributors, or those paid for by the government.

Recto made the suggestion in an interview with dzRH radio on June 19 following a viral social media post about a 47-year-old man whose family was unable to claim any benefits after his death despite being a paying PhilHealth member for over two decades.

‘We understand that many working Filipinos feel they are not receiving enough benefits in return for the premiums they pay. This is not because indigent patients receive too much, or to use your own words, ‘panalo sila’ (they are winners),’ the medical groups told Recto.

‘This is because the government is failing to shoulder its lawful share in financing the premiums of the poor. As a result, direct contributors end up paying for a larger share of the country’s healthcare than the law intended,’ they said.

Benefits for all

Instead of creating a ‘separate tier’ for paying PhilHealth members, they said the government should stop diverting funds meant for the state health insurer so that it could improve its benefit packages for all Filipinos, not just for a few.

‘As health-care professionals, we care for Filipinos from every walk of life. We do not see them as direct or indirect contributors. We see them as patients who need our care. That is why we are deeply concerned by your proposal to provide different PhilHealth benefits for direct and indirect contributors,’ their letter read.

Among the signatories were the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine College of Surgeons, Philippine Nurses Association, Philippine Association of Medical Technologists and Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives Inc.

According to Dr. Antonio Dans of the National Academy of Science and Technology, direct contributors are paying members of PhilHealth and indirect contributors are those who do not pay premiums since these are shouldered by the government.

He acknowledged that there was ‘polarization’ between direct and indirect contributors because of concerns that paying members may not be getting benefits commensurate to their monthly contributions.

Equality not always justice

Dans underscored, however, that health insurance should be based on ‘solidarity’ among all members of society.

‘Is our tax the same 20 percent from the poorest to the richest? No, right? The percentage is higher for the rich, and smaller for the poor. It cannot be equal, because sometimes equality is not justice,’ he said.

‘The sick are helped by those who are not. The poor are helped by the rich. The elderly are helped by the youth. Those with disabilities are helped by those without,’ he said. ‘We need to understand that because someday, you will be in need, and the ones who will help you will be the society.’

He stressed that the government should have enough fiscal capacity to increase PhilHealth’s budget so that it could provide better benefits for all from revenues earned from taxes imposed on tobacco and sweetened beverages-the so-called ‘sin products.’

As mandated by the sin tax law and the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, Dans noted that 40 percent of the annual revenues from taxes on tobacco and sweetened beverages should be allocated to PhilHealth.

He showed how P69.78 billion worth of tax revenues should have gone to PhilHealth for its 2026 budget, based on data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.

Instead, Dans pointed out, PhilHealth only received P53.13 billion in government subsidies for the implementation of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) under the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which it uses to pay for the premiums of indirect contributors.

Moreover, he noted that the subsidy received by PhilHealth was lower than its proposed budget of P172.1 billion.

‘Where did the sin tax money go?’ Dans asked, adding that this ‘diversion’ of PhilHealth funds also occurred in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Dans said PhilHealth received zero government subsidy for the NHIP under the 2025 GAA, when P69.81 billion worth of tax revenues should have been allocated for the agency.

Subsidies

In the 2024 GAA, PhilHealth got P40.28 billion worth of subsidies, when it should have received P79.02 billion from tax revenues. In the 2023 GAA, PhilHealth got P79 billion in subsidies instead of P83.9 billion.

‘That is against the law in two ways: It did not provide or channel sin tax earnings to the people and the government did not add to the needs that were expressed by the PhilHealth leadership,’ Dans said.

This is the second time that healthcare professionals and Recto are clashing over the allocation and use of PhilHealth funds after he directed the transfer of P60 billion worth of its ‘excess’ funds to the national treasury in 2024 when he was finance secretary.

Medical groups petitioned against the transfer in the Supreme Court, which ordered the return of the funds to PhilHealth in 2025. The high court said the transfer was against the Universal Health Care Act and sin tax laws.

The health groups on Thursday insisted that the national government provide PhilHealth its ‘legally mandated’ budget and not institutionalize unequal benefits among members.

Widow’s story

The Inquirer reached out to Recto for his comment, but he has yet to respond as of writing.

In his radio interview, Recto said he planned to meet PhilHealth officials in order to expand the benefits of its more than 33 million paying members.

Under the UHC Act, all Filipinos are automatically enrolled as PhilHealth members. Recto noted, however, that under Section 9 of the law, PhilHealth shall provide ‘additional program benefits for direct contributors, where applicable.’

He said he understood the frustrations of paying members who feel that their benefits do not match the PhilHealth premiums they had regularly paid.

‘If you’re indigent, you paid zero to avail of PhilHealth benefit packages, so you’re already ahead. That’s why I believe those who are paying should receive higher PhilHealth benefits,’ Recto said.

Recto was reacting to the viral story of PhilHealth member Marvin Sulit. The man’s wife said he died from a brain hematoma without being able to avail of any benefits despite being a paying member for more than 25 years.

Sulit’s widow said in a Facebook post that the hospital informed her that he was not eligible for any PhilHealth benefits because he had been hospitalized for less than 24 hours

Nigeria’s kinetics: How long?

WHAT does our lecture topic mean in everyday English? Kinetic is an adjective that means relating to, resulting from, or producing movement or motion. It stems from the Greek word ‘Kinein,’ which means ‘to move.’ Nigeria is awash with potentials that can move her forward, far beyond where she is stuck today. But those potentials remain just what they are-potentials, not translated to the good of the citizens. A brief look at some of Nigeria’s kinetics. Vast human resources. With a population estimated at over 200 million, most of whom are youths, these can be an engine of national development, if they are given the necessary wherewithal. Also prodigious natural resources. These include crude oil, natural gas, solid minerals, limestone, gold, coal, tin, iron ore, fertile land suitable for agriculture, and many others. Equally to Nigeria’s credit is her geographical location in the Gulf of Guinea, with access to the Atlantic Ocean. She is also a gateway to West and Central Africa. But despite the humongous resources, Nigeria is hobbled by corruption, poor governance, weak infrastructure, and many other ills. The result is that youths are unemployed and underemployed, people are generally not fulfilled, and the majority are angry with their own country.

Here are some life lessons of how Nigeria dehumanizes its own citizens. Eunice has been a graduate for 10 years, working as a newscaster in a TV house. With her paltry salary, and two children to cater for as a single mother, she virtually lives from hand to mouth. Miserable is the way to describe her life, as she is always broke, borrowing from all and sundry. Three years ago, Eunice had the opportunity to travel to Canada on study leave. She grabbed it with both hands. Along with her study, she works here and there. She sends money home, and her brother has helped her complete four flats, which she lets out. Remember that she could hardly pay her rent while here. Why must she leave the country before she could have a measure of success?

Adeolu was a young secondary school leaver in the 1990s. He was not very bright, so he did not seek to further his education. He moved from one odd job to the other, and most times had nothing to eat. A chance to emigrate to America came. His mother sold her wrapper, jewelry, and other household goods to raise the ticket money. They also borrowed from friends and relations. Adeolu landed in America, the land of opportunities, and held two jobs per day. Today, he runs a big company of his own, and is very successful. If he had stayed back home, he would have remained poor and wretched, or could even have been killed by lack. Despite all Nigeria’s resources, why did Adeolu need to japa, to change his lot in life?

What have our leaders, from Tafawa Balewa down to Bola Tinubu, told us about our country and her potentials? Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, 1960-1966: ‘Nigeria has the resources, manpower and the determination to become one of the greatest nations in the world.’ Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, our first ceremonial President: ‘The future of Africa lies in Nigeria.’ Gen Yakubu Gowon, 1967-1975: Speaking retroactively, he says ‘Each time I reflect on my service to this country, I become even more persuaded that Nigeria can become better and achieve her full potential as the giant of Africa.’ Gen Murtala Muhammed, 1975-1976: ‘Our nation is indeed blessed with abundant resources, which should enable us to provide a decent life for every citizen.’ Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, 1976-79, 1999-2007: ‘Nigeria has everything it takes to be a great nation. What we need is the right leadership.’

Alhaji Shehu Shagari, 1979-1983: ‘We all urgently require to harness our resources and energize and devote them to the development of our country. God has blessed us with abundant resources, and we have to use them to develop our country.’ Gen Muhammadu Buhari, 1984-85, 2015-2023: ‘Our best days are still ahead of us…This generation of Nigerians and indeed future generations have no other country than Nigeria, and we must all stay here and salvage it together.’ Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, 1985-1993: ‘Nigeria is richly endowed with human and natural resources. What is required is the determination to harness these resources effectively for national development.’

Gen Sani Abacha, 1993-1998: ‘This nation is richly endowed, and we are in a process of learning to harness our resources in such a way that we can maximize their usage. We are in a continuous learning process. Our goals are achievable and with God’s guidance, we shall succeed.’ Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, 1998-99: ‘We must resolve with a new determination to build a nation that shall be the pride of every citizen of this country and worthy of admiration by all and sundry.’ Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, 2007-2010: ‘Our country is abundantly blessed with human and natural resources. We have all that it takes to become one of the leading economies of the world.’ Dr Goodluck Jonathan, 2010-2015: ‘Nigeria is not a poor country. We are richly blessed with human and natural resources.’

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 2023 till now: ‘Our mission is to improve the lives of our people, to restore economic growth, and to build a nation where every citizen can thrive.’ These avowals by our past and present leaders show that Nigeria is not bereft of rhetoric. But when shall they be translated to action? How long? When will our kinetics transmute to improved lives for the people? The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind.

Conclusion

Let us close with the 1963 song by Bob Dylan.

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man

How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind

The answer is blowing in the wind. Thank you for listening.

That meth lab busted in Oyo State

LAST week, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in yet another major bust, dismantled a methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The laboratory operated by a Nigerian-Mexican cartel was discovered deep inside a forest in the area. The latest operation came barely a month after a similar breakthrough in May 2026, when a multi-billion-naira methamphetamine laboratory was uncovered in Abidagba forest in Ijebu EastLocal Government Area of Ogun State. During that raid, a total of 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and other chemical materials valued at over $362 million, or over N496 billion, were recovered. These achievements by the NDLEA, consistent over the years, are commendable and speak to the focused leadership of Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, as well as the impressive commitment to service exhibited by NDLEA officials.

However, beyond the busts, there are major areas of intersection that call for crucial review. How did operations of such gigantic proportions become so established, even with major security attention channelled towards securing forests in recent times? In December 2024, the Ogun State government entered into a partnership with the Federal Government aimed at strengthening security in forests across the state. Yet, in the timeframe after that, a multi-billion-naira meth lab thrived, and this calls into question the import of that partnership. Subsequently, in October 2025, the Federal Government unveiled the Forest Guards initiative, declaring that it would focus on eliminating the presence of criminals domiciled in Nigeria’s forests. It stated that over 130,000 persons would be deployed across the country. To date, however, beyond a handful of states where around 7,000 persons have undergone a training programme as forest guards, followed by the government’s announcement that it would deploy 1,000 forest guards to Oyo State to support security efforts after the mass abduction in Orire Local Government Area of the state, not much is known about the activities of the guards around the country.

The World Drug Report 2025, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), states that Nigeria is currently facing a major crisis in relation to the consumption and sale of illicit drugs. According to the report, ‘With a national drug use prevalence of 14.4 percent, nearly three times the global average, and with over 3 million people in Nigeria suffering from drug use disorders, the toll of illicit drug use is significant and growing.’ Illicit drug use is connected to terrorism, and many studies continue to establish a strong linkage between illicit drug use and the escalating violence across the country. Proceeds from narcotics often finance criminal and extremist activities. The uncovering of drug laboratories, therefore, signals the need for all stakeholders to pay critical attention to this issue and stem the tide of illicit drug cultivation, production, and trade. Beyond the obvious need for increased security across forests and other major hubs for illicit drug trade, the authorities must adopt stronger measures to ensure that Nigeria’s borders are well-policed. All too often, criminals gain easy access into the country through its porous borders.

The state and local authorities in Ibarapa, working with the traditional authorities and the police divisions in the respective areas, must root out all illegal drug outfits. They must give them no breathing space whatsoever. Everyone implicated in the illegal enterprise in Ibarapa must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. Given the reported involvement of Mexican nationals, critical questions arise regarding who granted them entry into Nigeria, the basis on which they obtained work permits, and the nature of the investments they purportedly came to undertake. Besides, the incident in Ibarapa highlights the urgent need for stronger collaboration among all relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Youth Development, and other security and regulatory institutions. The reports indicating that some companies conceal the true nationalities or backgrounds of the expatriates they sponsor are deeply troubling and, if established, should attract appropriate sanctions. There is a need for heightened vigilance whenever and wherever there are signs of increased drug trafficking, especially as drug abuse is frequently linked to violent crime in the affected communities. The influx of foreign criminals into Nigeria under the guise of legitimate expatriate employment poses enormous risks to national security and economic stability. Effective inter-agency synergy, free from the influence of corruption, is essential to identifying emerging threats early, preventing criminal networks from taking root, and safeguarding the country from the devastating consequences of illicit drug production and trafficking.

If at least 40 percent of Nigerian youths are involved in illicit drug use, it is a signal to the Ministry of Youth Development to focus on reorientation and rehabilitation, and channel youthful energy into safe, productive and legitimate endeavours. Once again, we commend the NDLEA for its diligence and steadfastness and urge it to sustain the tempo. Everything that needs to be done to dismantle the networks behind the illegal drug operations across the country should be done. There is too much at stake for Nigeria’s national health to treat these intertwined consequences with kid gloves.

Foundation expands scholarships

Herlight Child Development Foundation, alongside corporate and faith-based partners, has awarded scholarships to over 20 girls.

It rolled out new mentorship initiatives, deepening its push to break the cycle of poverty among underserved girls in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The interventions, unveiled at the sixth edition of the Teen Girl Child Conference (TGCC 6.0) themed: ‘Beyond Limits: Scripting Your Own Story,’ included N50,000 school fee grants for 20 students, two long-term scholarships spanning secondary school to university, five scholarships sponsored by LAPO Microfinance Bank, N50,000 cash awards for five teachers, and 1,000 sanitary pads distributed to participants.

Founder and TGCC Convener, Blessing Sunday, said the conference has evolved into a platform offering practical educational support and mentorship, not just motivation. She said this year’s theme pushes girls to reject limiting beliefs and take ownership of their futures, noting that ‘nobody is going to write your story for you.’

Sunday said hosting the event in Ajegunle was personal, having grown up there and witnessed teenage pregnancy, prostitution and low self-esteem driven by poverty. Having herself benefitted from scholarships through her master’s degree, she said she now feels fulfilled seeing other girls access similar opportunities.

To sustain impact year-round, she explained the Foundation is establishing school-based clubs for ongoing mentorship and career guidance. She added that over 4,000 pads have been distributed across five previous editions, with this year’s 1,000 reaching over 400 girls, alongside medical sessions on menstrual hygiene.

Sunday disclosed that scholarship beneficiaries were selected based on three parameters: academic soundness, moral uprightness, and financial need, particularly for students whose parents are struggling and need support.

She noted that past beneficiaries have completed vocational training in baking, fashion and hairdressing, with some now earning income.

LAPO Microfinance Bank awarded scholarships to five girls from JSS1 to SS2, while Adosser Microfinance Bank gave N50,000 each to 20 girls via a lucky dip for one term’s fees. Sunday also announced two full scholarships from secondary school through university,

An emotional QandA session saw JSS3 student Aisha Adebayo speak tearfully about growing up with an irresponsible father. Moved by her story, Pastor Sunday Ikwuogwu of Liberation World Ministries pledged to fund her education through university, while Bishop Dave Okpe of the Gate Keepers’ Fellowship awarded another girl a scholarship to a private university. Aisha’s mother, Ramota Adebayo, expressed gratitude, while Aisha said the support revived her dream of becoming a pilot.

Meanwhile, the guest speaker, actress Juliana Olayode, popularly known as Toyo Baby, challenged the girls to reject limiting beliefs and embrace failure as part of the journey to success.

‘There is absolutely no stopping you as long as you keep believing. Failure is a recipe for success. It is not the end of the world. We must learn from it, understand our mistakes and keep pushing,’ she said.

She also urged parents to become intentional about raising emotionally healthy children, stressing that many social problems stem from unresolved generational trauma.

‘If you bring a child into this world, you must be ready to take full responsibility. Parents should be the generation that hands over healing and not trauma to their children. Sometimes parents should learn to apologise to their children,’ she added.

76-year-old Apostle Dr. Nwanzo Wallace, a member of the Gate Keepers’ Fellowship visiting Africa and Nigeria for the first time, encouraged the girls to protect their dignity and resist sexual exploitation.

‘You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God did not make a mistake when He created you. Don’t allow anyone to exploit you because of your needs,’ he said while praying for the participants.

Also speaking, maritime professional Segun Michael, who mentored Sunday during her secondary school years through a LEAP Africa initiative that eventually earned her a scholarship, commended her commitment to giving back.

‘I am very happy that she is doing today what others once did for her. Parents also have a responsibility to put their differences aside and take proper care of their children because they are the future,’ he said.

The conference also featured an interactive panel on menstrual health, confidence and self-worth, where experts encouraged girls to understand their menstrual cycles, prepare adequately for their periods and reject the stigma surrounding menstruation. Participants were reminded that confidence could be developed through competence, positive values, healthy friendships and embracing their identity with the girls affirming: ‘My period is a blessing and I am not ashamed of it.’

Among the teachers honoured, Mrs. Okorie Rosemary Ochuko of Resonance College called the recognition motivating. Scholarship recipient Aya Nora, also of Resonance College, said the conference taught her to be confident and ‘write my own story,’ adding that the support would ease her family’s financial burden.

Why Benue must rewind @ 50 for collaboration

As Benue State marks its golden jubilee, the celebration should not merely be about ceremonies, colours and speeches. At 50, Benue must pause, rewind, and reflect deeply on the values that once held the state together and propelled it forward.

The true essence of this anniversary lies in rediscovering the spirit of collaboration that defined the early years of the state and repositioning it for a more prosperous future.

Benue was not built by accident. It was constructed on sacrifice, dialogue, mutual respect and collective purpose. In the formative years, political differences existed, ethnic identities were strong, and ideological disagreements were real-but they never overwhelmed the common goal of development. Leaders and citizens alike understood that progress was impossible without unity. They argued fiercely, yet worked together sincerely for the good of the state.

Today, the challenges facing Benue are not entirely new, but the responses have become fragmented. Political divisions, ethnic suspicion, personal rivalries and unhealthy competition have weakened the bonds that once made the state resilient. At 50, Benue must consciously return to the culture of cooperation across political parties, ethnic nationalities, religious lines and generational divides. Development does not recognise party symbols; hunger does not ask for ethnicity; insecurity does not spare political loyalists. Our destiny remains collective.

This call for unity is especially important among the Tiv people who constitute the largest demographic bloc in the state. The Tiv nation has always been known for communal living, shared responsibility and the timeless philosophy of being one another’s keeper. That heritage must not be sacrificed on the altar of internal discord.

One destructive tendency that must be confronted head-on is ‘iyuhe’ – jealousy. When allowed to thrive, iyuhe erodes trust, destroys collective ambition and turns brothers into rivals. It weakens institutions, frustrates leadership and scatters progress.

In the 21st century where nations are uniting at cross-country ties, the Tiv nation cannot afford to normalize envy against its own achievers or sabotage its own sons and daughters. History shows clearly that no society develops by pulling down those striving to lift it up.

The long-held goodwill of the Tiv as accommodating, fair-minded and community-driven people must be protected jealously. That goodwill was not given freely; it was earned through decades of unity, courage and sacrifice. Maintaining it requires deliberate effort: supporting one another, correcting in love, competing healthily and priotising the collective interest over personal ego.

Politics, too, must return to sustainability. Politics should be a vehicle for service, not warfare. It must be practiced with restraint, tolerance and long-term vision. The politics of bitterness, exclusion and desperation only leaves ruins behind. Sustainable politics builds institutions, mentors younger generations and ensures continuity of ideas beyond electoral cycles.

It must be emphatically maintained that, Benue cannot grow when every election becomes a do-or-die affair.

Unity, therefore, is not optional – it is sacrosanct. Without unity, policies fail. Without unity, security collapses. Without unity, education declines, infrastructure decays and hope disappears. Unity does not mean uniformity of opinion; it means agreement on purpose. Benue people must learn again to disagree without destroying one another.

Education deserves special emphasis in this rebirth agenda. No society escapes poverty, ignorance and manipulation without investing heavily in education. The founding fathers of Tiv land and Benue State understood this truth early. They pursued education vigorously, encouraged scholarship and believed that enlightenment was the strongest weapon against marginalisation.

At 50, Benue must recommit to comprehensive education – formal, vocational and civic – as the surest pathway to empowerment and sustainable development.

History offers us powerful lessons through the lives of those who laboured selflessly to bring the Tiv nation out of the woods.

Great men and women rose beyond personal comfort to champion the collective cause. Among them were the late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, whose political courage placed Tiv interests on the national map; the late Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unong, who provided moral and cultural leadership; former Governor Aper Aku, whose administration laid enduring foundations of governance and public service; and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who consistently advocated equity, justice and national relevance for the Tiv people.

Alongside them were other patriots – academics, traditional rulers, clergy, activists and professionals – who believed that progress was possible only through unity and enlightenment. They disagreed at times, but they never lost sight of the bigger picture: the survival and advancement of their people.

As Benue turns 50, the message is clear. The future will not be secured by nostalgia alone, but by the willingness to relearn learn and unlearn. Collaboration must replace conflict. Purpose must override pride. Service must triumph over selfishness.

Benue must rewind – not to remain in the past – but to retrieve the values that once made the state strong, respected and hopeful. Only then can the next 50 years deliver the peace, prosperity and dignity the people truly deserve.

Happy Benue @50

Long Live Benue

Long Live Nigeria.

Kano distributes 90,000 bags of subsidised fertiliser to farmers

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday flagged off the distribution of 150 trucks containing 90,000 bags of subsidised fertiliser to farmers across Kano State, saying the intervention is aimed at boosting food production, creating rural jobs and strengthening food security.

The governor said the fertiliser would be distributed across the state’s 44 local government areas and 484 wards, with each local government receiving an average of three truckloads, while each ward would have about 70 beneficiaries.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the 2026 Gida-Gida subsidised 50kg fertiliser distribution programme in Kano, Yusuf said the initiative was part of his administration’s sustained investment in agriculture over the last three years.

According to him, the intervention aligns with the government’s development blueprint aimed at modernising agriculture and improving the livelihoods of farmers.

He said the 90,000 bags of fertiliser, currently selling for about N50,000 per bag in the open market, would be sold to genuine farmers at N25,000, representing a 50 per cent subsidy jointly funded by the state government and the 44 local government councils.

To ensure transparency in the exercise, Yusuf announced the constitution of state and local government distribution committees comprising representatives of security agencies, anti-corruption bodies, civil society organisations, farmers’ associations and relevant ministries.

The state committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Agriculture and includes representatives of the police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other stakeholders.

He said each local government committee would be chaired by the council chairman and include district heads, agricultural officials, security agencies, legislators and farmers’ representatives.

PR Association to conduct high profile talk with Prof. Patrick Mendis and panel on taking Sri Lanka to the world

The Public Relations Association of Sri Lanka, the national body representing the public relations profession, has organised a high profile talk and panel discussion on how Sri Lanka could engage with overseas investors and collaborators to enhance the nation’s attractiveness and competitiveness for foreign direct investment (FDI) and joint ventures. The event, to be held at the Port City Colombo Sales Gallery on Monday, 6 July commencing at 6.00 p.m., will feature internationally renowned scholar Prof. Patrick Mendis and a distinguished panel including Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairman Harsha Amarasekera PC, former BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath, and Solutions Ground CEO Lakshan Madurasinghe. The discussion will be moderated by PRASL Vice President Shehara de Silva.

Harvard-educated Prof. Mendis – a visiting scholar in global affairs and former U.S. diplomat and NATO military professor who served during the administrations of six American Presidents, will draw upon his roots as a Polonnaruwa-born former AFS Exchange Scholar to explore the relevance of a foreign policy grounded in Sri Lanka’s own resources, history, and civilisational heritage. His lecture, titled ‘The Mahaweli Doctrine: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy must be like Water for a National Renaissance’, will examine how the nation’s waterways, strategic location and historical experience can inform a distinctive vision for Sri Lanka’s future engagement with the world.

The themes raised in the keynote address will then be examined in the context of Sri Lanka’s current efforts to attract foreign investment and forge international partnerships in manufacturing and services through the panel discussion.

Speaking on the rationale behind the event, PRASL President Nimal Gunewardena said: ‘We have sought for PR to be recognised as a strategic communications discipline that not only builds reputation and image but also helps drive vital initiatives successfully for government and corporates alike. This event seeks to advance the Association’s vision while demonstrating how strategic communications can contribute to Sri Lanka’s national development and global engagement.’

Several corporate partners have been approached for endorsement and support. Port City Colombo has partnered with PRASL by sponsoring the venue and event facilities.