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Tamaraws clip Falcons to regain winning ways

Far Eastern University trampled their way back to the win column after keeping the Adamson Soaring Falcons at bay, 73-66, in their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball clash Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws thus snapped their three-game losing streak while dealing Adamson its second straight defeat.

Kirby Mongcopa paced the Morayta-based squad with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. Cabs Cabonilas backstopped with 11 markers and six boards, while Janrey Pasaol and Marc Burgos had 10 points each.

FEU led by as much as 19 points, 55-36, in the third quarter after a split from the line by Mongcopa.

The Tamaraws maintained a big lead in the fourth, after a Cabonilas layup gave them a 63-46 lead with 7:53 left.

Slowly, though, Adamson inched closer, slicing the deficit to five, 60-65, with a layup by Kenji Canete.

But a triple by Pasaol, followed by a pair of Jorick Bautista free throws, pushed FEU ahead by 10, 70-60, with 1:43 remaining.

Freebies by Monty Montebon and a layup by Canete made it a six-point deficit anew, 64-70, with 1:02 to go, but Adamson could not go nearer than that.

Freebies by Mongcopa and Jedric Daa late iced the game.

Canete provided the spark for Adamson with 14 points and a rebound, while Matty Erolon had 13 markers.

FEU rose to a 5-4 slate, while Adamson slipped to a 4-5 card.

FG, defence partners move to unlock multibillion-dollar farm investments in insecure areas

The federal government is partnering with military-linked investment institutions to attract private capital into large-scale agricultural projects in insecurity-hit areas, targeting investments in soybean production in Yobe and sugarcane cultivation in Jigawa.

The initiative brings together the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Integranium Holdings and the Defence Agricultural Assets and Projects Development Company (DAPCO), with support from Defence Holding Company Limited, to address security risks that have discouraged investors from committing funds to commercial farming.

The projects are among several agricultural opportunities identified by the partners, who are developing a framework combining investment mobilisation, security planning and project management to make large-scale farming more attractive to domestic and international financiers.

Femi Ogunseinde, MOFI’s executive director of investments and the official responsible for the Integranium investment framework, said security concerns had been a major obstacle to mobilising capital for agricultural development.

‘We have a soybean initiative in Yobe, we have a sugarcane initiative in Jigawa-all large-scale, all multibillion-dollar projects,’ Ogunseinde said.

He said the partnership would allow the institutions to approach prospective investors with arrangements designed to protect their investments and agricultural operations, particularly in areas where insecurity has disrupted farming.

The initiative is expected to mobilise private-sector and international financing rather than rely solely on public funds. However, the partners have not disclosed the total value of the agreement or confirmed funding commitments for the projects.

Ogunseinde said potential investments of $1 billion to $2 billion had been discussed, but the amounts were not funds already secured under the partnership. He added that at least one project was expected to break ground before the end of the year.

Each project will undergo separate assessments covering financial viability, due diligence, investment potential and value for money before implementation.

Aliyu Abdulhameed, chairman and chief executive officer of DAPCO, said the defence establishment would help ensure agricultural investments in rural areas were supported by appropriate security and operational arrangements.

The partnership is intended to combine the institutions’ respective capabilities to develop commercial farming opportunities across Nigeria, with surrounding communities expected to participate in projects established in their areas.

Abdulhameed said serving military personnel and veterans, particularly those from the armed forces, would also be considered for involvement in the agricultural ventures.

The partners are seeking to leverage Nigeria’s agricultural resources to expand food production for domestic consumption, industrial use and export. Ogunseinde estimated that between 30 million and 35 million hectares of land could be available for farming, offering scope to scale up commercial agriculture.

The initiative also aims to address the impact of insecurity on food production, as abandoned farmland and disrupted farming operations have constrained the country’s ability to meet domestic demand.

Air Vice Marshal A.V. Ndache, group managing director of Defence Holding Company Limited, said the memorandum of understanding signed by the institutions provided a broad framework covering agriculture, hospitality and other investment areas.

More detailed agreements will be developed for individual projects as the partnership progresses, he said, with implementation dependent on further project structuring.

Armstrong Takang, managing director of MOFI’s investment partner, said the agricultural programme could help ease food inflation by increasing local production and expanding demand for inputs supplied by Nigerian businesses.

‘Nigeria needs to make better use of its land, water resources and people to produce sufficient food for households and industries, while generating additional supplies for export,’ Takang said.

He said the projects would focus on bankable agribusiness opportunities capable of attracting public and private investment, with potential benefits extending across the farming value chain.

One potential beneficiary is PFI NPK, the Fertilizer Aggregation Company, which could see demand rise as commercial farming expands. Greater fertiliser use, alongside improved farming practices, could help raise soil productivity and agricultural output.

The partners also plan to deploy technology, innovation and improved farming skills to increase productivity and make better use of available land.

Agriculture was estimated by one of the speakers to contribute between 25 percent and 27 percent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product. The partners said expanding commercial production could strengthen the sector’s economic contribution while improving food security and export capacity.

The memorandum establishes the basis for cooperation, but individual projects must still pass through assessment and structuring before implementation. The partners said further details would be announced as projects become ready for rollout.

Kogi Gov Justifies Airport Project

Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has defended the state’s international airport project at Zariagi, near Lokoja, describing it as a strategic investment to unlock the state’s economic potential, improve connectivity and attract investment.

Ododo spoke on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the ongoing project, where he expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction and credited President Bola Tinubu’s support for enabling the state to pursue the infrastructure initiative.

The governor said Kogi’s geographical location, with access to several major commercial centres, including the Federal Capital Territory, made an airport a strategic necessity for strengthening economic activities and connectivity.

He noted that despite the state’s location and commercial links, Kogi had operated without its own airport until the Tinubu administration approved the project and supported its execution.

Ododo said his administration would continue to monitor construction to ensure compliance with required standards and timelines, expressing optimism that the project would reach an advanced stage of development by next year.

He also urged critics questioning the feasibility of the airport project to visit the site and assess the level of work, insisting that construction was progressing beyond claims circulating about the initiative.

‘Please, I want them to come here to see things by themselves. It is not an AI thing. You can see the equipment working, and they are working day and night. We are not going to make noise about it; we invite them to come and see,’ he said.

Ododo described Tinubu’s support for the project as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to extending critical infrastructure development to states, adding that the airport was intended to deliver long-term benefits to Kogi residents.

Luzon tollways prepare for Undas traffic

Leading expressway operators Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and SMC Infrastructure are ramping up operations and implementing comprehensive motorist assistance measures from October 29 to November 3, 2026, in anticipation of a 5 percent to 10 percent surge in traffic volume during the Undas holidays.

Under MPTC’s ‘Biyaheng Arangkada’ program and SMC’s alignment with the Department of Tranportation’s ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos,’ both operators are coordinating closely with government agencies-including the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), National Police (PNP), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and local governments-to ensure safety, alleviate congestion, and maintain 24/7 traffic management across Luzon and Cebu.

Traffic is projected to rise overall, with peak travel days expected on October 30 and 31.

At MPTC Expressways (Nlex, Sctex, Nlex Connector, Cavitex, Calac, CCLex), Outbound traffic is expected to peak from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, while return traffic is projected from late afternoon on November 2 through early morning on November 3.

SMC expects its expressways (Slex, Skyway System, STAR Tollway, Naiax, TPLex) to have a 10 percent increase in traffic volume, with full staffing taking effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 29.

To clear the roads for holiday travelers:

MPTC will suspend non-emergency roadworks, lane closures, and maintenance from October 29 to November 3. Approximately 2,000 traffic, toll, security, technology, and incident response personnel will be deployed across its network.

SMC Infrastructure will suspend roadworks from noon on October 29 until 10:00 p.m. on November 3. Emergency assistance, quick-response teams, ambulances, tow trucks, and fire engines will be stationed 24/7 at strategic points, including Petron service stations.

Motorist Assistance and On-Road Services

24/7 Hotlines and Apps: Assistance is available via MPTC’s 1-35000 hotline and the MPT DriveHub app. SMC motorists can contact dedicated hotlines for Slex (0917-687-7539), STAR Tollway (0917-511-7827 / 043-756-7870), and TPLex (0917-888-0715).

Towing and Mechanical Services: MPTC is offering free towing to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles (including Class 1M on CCLex) from 6:00 a.m. on October 30 to 6:00 a.m. on November 3, along with free basic mechanical services at select stations. SMC will have standby quick-response teams for mechanical breakdowns such as overheating, flat tires, and dead batteries.

Amenities: Free Wi-Fi (via Smart), EV charging stations, and free bottled water (via Maynilad) will be available at select MPTC Rest and Refuel stations.

Travel Advisory and Alternate Routes

Both concessionaires encourage motorists to inspect their vehicles (tires, brakes, batteries, lights, and cooling systems) and ensure adequate rest before heading out.

RFID Readiness: Drivers should ensure sufficient balance on their Easytrip (MPTC) or Autosweep (SMC) accounts to prevent delays at toll plazas. Motorists traveling across multiple networks can enroll in the optional One RFID program.

Alternate Routes:

North: The Nlex Connector and Mindanao Avenue access points offer alternative routes between western/eastern Metro Manila and Central-Northern Luzon.

South: The Cavitex C5 Link connects Taguig to Cavitec, while Calax provides access between Mamplasan (Biñan, Laguna) and Governor’s Drive (General Trias, Cavite). Future expansions-such as the Nlex-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 Section 1A and the Cavitex-Calax Link (CCLink)-will further improve regional mobility.

Spain train collision kills 64, dozens seriously injured

At least 64 people have been killed and dozens seriously injured after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain, in the country’s deadliest rail disaster since 2013, prompting a major rescue operation and renewed scrutiny of its rail infrastructure.

The collision occurred near Urda, south of Madrid, involving a Renfe train and an Iryo service operating on the Madrid to Seville route, according to rail operator Adif. More than 500 passengers were travelling on the two trains, a spokesperson for the regional government said.

The Castilla La Mancha regional government confirmed the updated death toll, warning that the number of fatalities could rise as emergency workers continue searching the wreckage. At least 80 people were reported injured, including about 50 in serious condition and 15 in critical condition, according to regional officials.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said he was ‘shocked by the serious train accident’ and was in constant contact with the transport minister. He was travelling to the crash area to support emergency teams and those affected by the disaster.

‘The priority is to attend to the victims and ensure the maximum coordination between administrations,’ the Spanish government said in a statement.

Survivors described a violent impact that threw passengers from their seats, scattered luggage and left carriages badly damaged. Roberto Gómez, a Spanish journalist who was travelling on one of the trains, told Onda Cero radio: ‘The impact was terrible. You can imagine, the carriage is destroyed. All the suitcases are all over the wrecked carriage.’

Gómez, who sustained minor injuries, said passengers helped people suffering serious injuries to their chests and ribs before climbing through a window to escape the wreckage.

Another passenger, Sebastián Herrero, told Spanish newspaper El Mundo that the impact threw him into the seats in front of him. He described seeing passengers with broken noses and arms as smoke filled the carriage.

Emergency services deployed ambulances, helicopters and rescue teams to the site, while injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals and facilities in Madrid. Blood donation centres in Madrid and Toledo appealed for urgent donations in anticipation of increased demand for medical care.

The scale of the disaster places it among Spain’s worst rail accidents in decades. In July 2013, 80 people died when a train derailed near Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain.

The latest collision has also interrupted the country’s political campaign ahead of the 29 November general election. Sánchez’s Socialist Party and the conservative People’s Party suspended scheduled campaign events, with opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo saying the priority was to care for victims.

Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, continued campaigning while criticising the state of Spain’s infrastructure. He blamed what he described as the ‘deterioration of infrastructure and institutions in Spain’ on the current government. Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the collision.

Spain’s rail network, long regarded as one of Europe’s strongest high-speed systems, is likely to face renewed questions over safety and infrastructure once investigators establish how the two trains came to collide.

For now, emergency workers remain focused on recovering victims, treating survivors and identifying those killed, as families wait for news of relatives who were aboard the trains.

Makinde reaffirms commitment to equal access to public facilities for all political parties

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and democratic principles, emphasising that no political party should be denied access to public facilities in the state, provided it meets the established requirements for use.

Governor Makinde, through a statement from his Special Adviser (Media), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, clarified his position in response to concerns about the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) proposed use of Mapo Hall, Ibadan, for its presidential campaign.

According to the Governor, public assets belong to the people of Oyo State and must be administered transparently, equitably, and without partisan considerations.

The Governor maintained that his administration remains committed to creating a level playing field for all political stakeholders, irrespective of party affiliation, stressing that democracy thrives when all parties are given equal opportunities to engage with the electorate within the framework of the law.

He reiterated that laid-down procedures and regulations govern access to government-owned facilities to ensure proper use, maintenance, and public order.

Consequently, he noted that any political party or organisation that fulfils the stipulated conditions should not face discrimination or unjust restrictions on accessing such facilities.

Governor Makinde further urged all political actors to conduct their activities peacefully and responsibly, while calling on relevant authorities to handle administrative processes relating to the use of public facilities professionally, fairly, and without bias.

‘The Oyo State Government remains committed to promoting political tolerance, protecting democratic freedoms, and fostering an environment where all legitimate political interests can freely operate in accordance with the law’, the statement read in part.

Dataphyte, BudgIT, CJID, others launch platform to monitor election results

A consortium of Civil Society Organisations has launched a platform to monitor election results and other activities related to the 2027 elections.

The organisations which include Dataphyte Foundation, Yiaga Africa, BudgIT Foundation, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and DEAN Initiative said the platform termed Nigeria Election Data Observatory (NEDO) allows partners to contribute to, access, and reuse verified electoral information across their platforms and public communication channels.

Speaking on behalf of the Consortium, Country Director of Dataphyte Foundation, Oluseyi Olufemi, explained that the NEDO initiative is designed to bridge fragmentation in election observation, civic data management and information distribution among organisations working to protect electoral integrity and safeguard electoral information and data systems.

He added that the platform also incorporates automated data scraping technology designed to retrieve election results published by INEC in real time.

‘Using AI-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the system converts result-sheet images obtained from the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) into machine-readable data. The system then distributes and uses this information on interactive election-result platforms operated by consortium partners, including Dataphyte Foundation and BudgIT Foundation, while making relevant electoral data accessible to the general public.’

He added that a central strength of the initiative is its pooled human network of election observers, including YIAGA Africa’s Watching The Vote (WTV) network, who will provide real-time information on electoral incidents, voting processes, collation and election results.

‘Information collected through this network will support election reporting and verification by CJID-coordinated media organisations, while also providing an independent evidence base for comparison with results published on IReV.’

He pointed out that the 2023 general elections exposed the limits of this fragmented approach, particularly when challenges with the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) highlighted the need for shared civic resources to consolidate observation data and independently cross-check electoral information.

Programme Manager at Dataphyte Foundation, Abdulahi Adebayo, explained that the application will feed information into a shared evidence repository accessible to consortium partners for analysis, reporting, visualisation, advocacy, and public communication.

The NEDO initiative is designed to address potentially conflicting reports, result discrepancies, misinformation and allegations of irregularities that often arise when organisations work in silos.

‘Rather than relying on separate datasets, consortium partners can cross-check information across observer networks, verify competing claims, identify inconsistencies, and communicate findings based on a wider body of evidence.’

Mixta Africa urges housing reforms to tackle Nigeria’s 30 million-unit crisis

Mixta Africa has called for a comprehensive housing delivery system that addresses supply, affordability and developers’ capacity, saying isolated interventions will not resolve Nigeria’s housing deficit at scale.

The company’s Group Chief Commercial Officer, Tola Akinsulire, made the call during a chief executive officer panel discussion on ‘Public-Private Partnerships for Large-Scale Housing Delivery: Unlocking Housing at Scale Through Collaboration’ at the recently concluded Africa PropTech Priority Summit (APPSUMMIT 2026), organised by PROPTECH ROUNDUP in Lagos.

The panel also featured UPDC Chief Executive Officer Odunayo Ojo and Alitheia Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner Olajumoke Akinwunmi.

Akinsulire said Nigeria had largely approached housing through separate interventions, particularly mortgage initiatives, without adequately addressing the broader ecosystem required to deliver homes at scale.

He cited Morocco’s housing programme as an example of how coordinated government policies could stimulate both housing supply and demand.

According to him, Mixta Africa delivered 4,393 housing units on a single site in Morocco after the government introduced incentives for developers and prospective homeowners.

He explained that, under a 2010 programme, participating developers committed to building homes priced at 250,000 Moroccan dirhams and delivering at least 500 units within five years. In return, they received tax incentives covering parts of the value chain, including cement and company income tax.

On the demand side, buyers of qualifying homes were exempted from value-added tax, while a government-backed guarantee scheme covered up to 70 per cent of lenders’ credit risk following default.

Akinsulire said the combination of incentives encouraged banks to lend and made homeownership more accessible.

On public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Nigeria, he urged governments to distinguish between projects designed to generate revenue and those intended to provide affordable housing.

He said affordability-focused projects might require government support through land, infrastructure or other subsidies, alongside realistic pricing arrangements.

Akinsulire identified trust, buyer affordability and developers’ capacity to deliver as critical requirements for successful housing partnerships. He warned that improving access to finance without increasing housing supply would leave the problem unresolved.

He also challenged property technology innovators to develop solutions that reduce costs, delays and risks across land titling, approvals, construction monitoring, sales and off-plan financing.

Meanwhile, Akinwunmi identified inadequate structured engagement, weak frameworks and a lack of trust as major obstacles to effective PPPs.

She called for transparent procurement, stronger collaboration and properly prepared projects, warning that land deals often encountered unresolved ownership disputes, compensation issues and unsuitable building sites.

Akinwunmi estimated Nigeria’s housing challenge at approximately 30 million units, comprising a deficit of about 15 million homes and more than 15 million existing homes considered structurally inadequate or substandard.

Ojo described housing as fundamentally an economic challenge, citing rising government charges and low household incomes. He called for tax breaks and incentives for housing development, similar to those available in other industries.

He also advocated build-to-rent schemes, arguing that many Nigerians remained unable to afford homeownership even with zero-interest mortgages because of limited purchasing power.

Ojo added that collaboration among industry stakeholders could help reduce overheads and improve housing affordability.

Donny Pangilinan felt ‘awkward’ over Showtime Baby Doll Juby’s dream about him

Donny Pangilinan said he did not take offense over Showtime Baby Dolls member Juby’s sexual dream about him, although he admitted feeling ‘awkward’ about it.

Juby spoke about her dream that supposedly involved a sexual encounter with Pangilinan, her celebrity crush, during her and her fellow members’ guesting on ‘Gandang Gabi, Vice’ last Oct. 18.

Her remarks drew criticisms on social media, with netizens calling them inappropriate.

Pangilinan spoke on the matter during a ‘TV Patrol’ interview on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

‘I personally don’t think naman that she meant anything bad with it, to hurt someone. Baka masyado lang naging komportable siya,’ he said, referring to Juby.

‘But I know this was just one of their first interviews and it’s a learning experience for everyone. But ako, I wish them all the best,’ he added.

When asked if he was offended, he noted, ‘Hindi naman offended. Siguro mas awkward kasi alam ko makikita ko sila. We’re from the same network. So, mas ‘yun siguro.’

Aside from Juby, ‘Gandang Gabi, Vice’ host Vice Ganda also faced backlash, with netizens questioning why she ‘allowed’ the conversation to continue despite being friends with Pangilinan.

Both Vice Ganda and Juby have yet to publicly speak about the matter as of this writing.

Delta extends clinical health workers’ retirement age to 65

The Delta State Government has extended the retirement age of clinical health workers to 65 years, but said those seeking to benefit from the extension must apply six months before attaining the statutory retirement age and undergo medical fitness assessments.

Joseph Onojaeme, Commissioner for Health, gave the clarification on Tuesday in Asaba, explaining that the extension was not automatic and would be granted only to eligible personnel who satisfied the stipulated requirements.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had earlier approved the extension as part of efforts to retain experienced healthcare professionals and strengthen service delivery amid the growing migration of skilled workers abroad.

Onojaeme said the application process and medical assessments were necessary to ensure that officers seeking to remain in service beyond 60 years were physically fit to discharge their duties.

He explained that the policy covered several professional cadres in the health sector, including medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, dental officers, community health officers, assistant radiographers, speech therapists, dietitians, optometrists and relevant technical personnel.

According to him, the measure is expected to help the state retain experienced personnel, preserve institutional knowledge and address manpower challenges confronting the healthcare system.

The commissioner noted that the continued departure of skilled health professionals had placed pressure on healthcare delivery, making it necessary for the government to explore measures that would encourage experienced workers to remain in service.

He said the extension would provide an opportunity for qualified personnel to contribute their expertise for an additional five years subject to the approved conditions.

On the state’s preparedness against the Ebola disease, Onojaeme reassured residents that no case of the disease had been recorded in Delta State.

He said the government had intensified preventive measures and was strengthening the capacity of health personnel to respond promptly to any suspected outbreak.

Onojaeme disclosed that health officers were undergoing training while the government was procuring protective equipment to safeguard healthcare workers and improve emergency response.

He urged residents to remain calm and support public health efforts, stressing that the government was taking steps to protect the population against potential health threats.

Onojaeme said the retirement policy and the measures to strengthen Ebola preparedness reflected the government’s commitment to improving the health system, retaining skilled personnel and protecting residents from public health emergencies.