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Anambra gov’t threatens to arrest, prosecute illegal traditional rulers

The Anambra Government has threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone parading himself as the traditional ruler of any community without recognition and certification.

Chief Vincent Ezeaka, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs issued the warning in a letter addressed to Presidents General of Town Unions on Thursday.

The statement was entitled ‘Unlawful Assumption of Office and Parading as Traditional Ruler by Persons not Recognized by the Anambra State Government’.

Ezeaka said the government had received reports about persons who without recognition parade themselves, permit themselves to be addressed as and perform functions reserved for traditional rulers in some communities.

He said such acts were criminal offenses punishable with imprisonment under the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra.

He said only a person duly selected, appointed and formally recognised by government in accordance with the law was entitled to function or hold himself out as the traditional ruler of a town or community.

‘In view of the reports received so far, the Anambra State Government has taken a decision to prosecute every person who unlawfully parades himself as a traditional ruler, assumes a reserved title, or performs the functions of a traditional ruler. Accordingly, you are requested to submit complaints to this Ministry and the Ministry of Justice against any person in your community who is parading himself as a traditional ruler contrary to the provisions of the law,’ he said.

Padios wins gold in 10th Asian Pencak Silat tourney

Hiraya Francine Padios ruled the women’s singles in Seni (artistic) to deliver the Philippines’ lone gold medal in the recently concluded 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championships in Dong Nai, Vietnam.

The 22-year-old native of Aklan bedazzled the competition as she elicited a 9.915 score to complete her golden romp, which capped the Filipinos’ solid haul that included five silver medals and the same number of bronzes.

It was another medal for Padios, who struck gold in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games four years ago and took the silver in the 2019 edition in Subic at a very young age of 15 years old back then.

Kram Airam Carpio, an Asian Youth Games gold winner in Bahrain last year, chipped in a silver in the Tanding Class B female 50-55 kilograms as well as Rick Ortega, Mark Laurenz Ortega and Edmar Tacuel (male Regu-Seni), Kyan Voyde Garcia (Tanding Class I male 85-90kg), Stephen Suazo (Tanding Class Open 1 Male) and May Justine Acat (Tanding Class Open 2 female).

It was the second medal for Tacuel, the country’s lone SEA Games gold medalist in 2019 in Subic, after he also picked up a bronze in the male singles Seni.

Also accounting for a bronze for the Nationals were Maricel dela Torre Escalona (Tanding Class D female 60-65kg), Allimar Tanilon Campos (Tanding Class F male 70-75kg), Alvin Campos (Tanding Class G Male 75-80kg) and Joo Ash (Tanding Class H male 80-85kg).

’Ex-NPA’ logistics officer nabbed in Bukidnon military intel compound

An alleged former logistics officer of the Maoist New People’s Army (NPA) wanted for murder was arrested inside a military intelligence compound in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Wednesday afternoon, July 22.

In a press statement, the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) identified the suspect as Gemma Pensahan Tilucan, 32, who is wanted for murder and frustrated murder.

Tilucan, who is known by aliases Gina, Tata, Alex, Reps, and Jea, was apprehended inside the 43rd Military Intelligence Company compound in Barangay 10, Malaybalay City at 2:40 p.m., it said.

Lt. Col. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesman, told the Inquirer on Thursday that Tilucan was ‘a former NPA combatant’ assigned to the logistics division of the Headquarters LOADER under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

‘We salute and congratulate all the brave units involved in this successful operation, especially our PNP (Philippine National Police) counterparts whose steadfast resolve ensures that justice will be served to the victims of these grave crimes,’ Martinez said in a phone interview.

He added that through the seamless synergy between the 4th Infantry Division’s intelligence personnel and Bukidnon police units, the joint forces have delivered ‘overdue closure to the victims’ families.’

Martinez, however, did not elaborate why Tilucan was arrested inside a military compound.

‘The Philippine Army remains proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the PNP in maintaining peace, safety, and justice across the region,’ Martinez said.

Tilucan was arrested by virtue of warrants dated August 29, 2023. She faces frustrated murder (Criminal Case No. 41181-23) with a recommended bail of P200,000, and a separate non-bailable murder case (Criminal Case No. 41182-23).

She remains under the custody of the 43rd Military Intelligence Company in Malaybalay City. A motion for custody has been filed at the local prosecutor’s office for documentation and proper disposition.

Col. Oliver Navales, Bukidnon Police Provincial Director Police, reported the arrest to PRO-10 director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, who commended the responding personnel for a job well done.

The arresting team includes the 1st Bukidnon Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), the Army’s 43rd Military Intelligence Company, the Malaybalay City Police Station, and PRO-10 intelligence units

APM: Tinubu fears Makinde’s rising profile ahead of 2027

MThe Allied People’s Movement (APM) has accused the Presidency of launching attacks against its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, because of what it described as growing concern over his increasing popularity ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party said recent comments by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, reflected what it called the Tinubu administration’s unease over Makinde’s emergence as a major contender for the presidency.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM argued that the Federal Government had resorted to personal attacks because it lacked convincing achievements to present to Nigerians. The party maintained that Makinde would defeat President Bola Tinubu at the 2027 polls.

Bwala had, during an interview with journalists on Monday, dismissed both Makinde and the APM as insignificant players in the forthcoming presidential race.

Responding, the opposition party criticised the Presidency for what it described as a decline into political mudslinging rather than engaging issues affecting Nigerians.

‘It is rather pathetic that the Tinubu Presidency has fallen so low into ignominy that it now relies on internationally discredited and politically inconsistent characters like Daniel Bwala to speak for it on national TV; a situation that further confirms that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu no longer commands the support of credible Nigerians.

‘Since Daniel Bwala’s March 6, 2026, scandalous interview with Al Jazeera, Nigerians can always see through the antics of President Tinubu’s handlers. Daniel Bwala would soon eat his own words against Governor Makinde.

‘In any event, the 2027 presidential race would be between Governor Seyi Makinde, standing shoulder to shoulder with millions of Nigerians who are determined for a new beginning, and a failed President Tinubu, who only has the feeble support of a handful of sycophantic, corrupt, arrogant and morally depraved minions on his payroll.

‘The APM is, therefore, not surprised that the Tinubu Presidency is deflated and intimidated because it has no tangible scorecard of achievements to present to the public, given its abysmal failures, for which Nigerians across the board have reached a consensus to replace President Tinubu with Governor Makinde at the 2027 election, given Makinde’s outstanding performance as Governor of Oyo State.’

The party said it had no intention of engaging in an exchange of insults with the Presidency, insisting that its focus remained on presenting solutions to the country’s challenges.

It also argued that Makinde’s performance in Oyo State had strengthened his credentials for higher office.

‘Of course, President Tinubu should be jittery because Governor Makinde is coming into the contest with an intimidating record of performance, including transforming Oyo State into a foremost economically viable state, surpassing the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, according to data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), a feat Nigerians want him to replicate at the national level.

‘The Tinubu Presidency is edgy because Nigerians are determined and eager to elect Governor Seyi Makinde as the next President of the country so that they can enjoy the benefits of his blueprint to revamp the economy, rejig our security architecture, rebuild collapsed infrastructure, revitalise the productive sectors, provide jobs, end corruption and bring a new lease of life to the people.

‘Of course, why won’t the Tinubu Presidency be jittery when Governor Makinde is coming with the full support of over 50 million young Nigerians whose destinies are being caged by the Tinubu administration and who are now rallying with our presidential candidate as the face of the new Nigeria they eagerly seek and for which they are ready to vote in 2027 and defend their votes to the very end?

‘To suggest that a presidential candidate with such an army of support is ‘inconsequential’ says more about the anxiety within the corridors of power than it does about the candidate.

‘In fact, before noon on election day, the Presidency will know who actually is inconsequential in this race.’

Pampanga LGUs told: Strengthen waste management, measures

An environmental advocacy group urged local governments in Pampanga to strengthen solid waste management and preventive health programs during the rainy season, citing continued cases of illegal dumping and concerns over suspended septage management programs.

Sonny Dobles, vice president of the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council Inc. (Araw-ACI), called on mayors and barangay chairpersons in the province to strictly enforce the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act 9003) and the Clean Water Act (Republic Act 9275).

Dobles said the laws are intended to protect public health and prevent the contamination of land and water resources through proper waste and wastewater management.

‘These laws have to be enforced to protect every citizen from the danger caused by mismanaged waste, either solid or in liquid form, dumped on land or in water bodies,’

‘It is saddening to think that our officials seem to have grown numb and no longer give a damn about the lives and safety of our people, especially the poor,’ Dobles said.

He said the group continues to observe illegal dumping in open areas, as well as the disposal of garbage into waterways including the Abacan River, Balibago Creek, and Dau Creek.

Dobles warned that local officials could face administrative or legal liability if they fail to enforce environmental laws. He also said poor communities are often the most affected by flooding, pollution and diseases linked to improperly managed waste.

He said illnesses such as leptospirosis, severe diarrhea, typhoid and wound infections become more prevalent during the rainy season.

‘Marami pa rin tayong nakikitang basura na nakatambak sa mga open spaces na kalaunan ay nagiging open dump na,’ Dobles said. ‘At ang mas grabe ay ang pagtatapon ng basura sa mga ilog at sapa kagaya sa Abacan River, Balibago Creek, at Dau Creek.’

The group’s appeal comes after an illegal open dump in barangay Calumpang, Mabalacat City was closed following a fire that sent heavy smoke into nearby communities. Reports of illegal dumping have also surfaced this year in the towns of Sta. Ana and Arayat.

Dobles also expressed concern over the suspension of septage or environmental fee collection in several Pampanga local governments including Angeles City, Magalang, Apalit, San Simon and Arayat. He said the suspensions have disrupted septage management programs required under the Clean Water Act, although some local governments have said they are reviewing the fee structure.

He urged local governments to complete their reviews promptly to avoid prolonged interruptions in septage services, warning that delays could increase the risk of groundwater contamination. Dobles also backed an earlier call by Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to investigate the compliance of local government units and private operators with laws governing the treatment and disposal of septic waste.

Gastronomic dialogue ‘sees’ a bright future for Filipino food

Now that Filipino cuisine is slowly but surely getting the recognition it deserves on the global culinary stage, even sparking food trends like the ube craze that has been taking place in recent months, Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo realized that it is time to mount a serious discussion on not just the present state but, more importantly, the future of Filipino food.

The institution staged “From Plates to Pages: A Gastronomic Dialogue and Tasting Feast” at Areté in Ateneo de Manila University last May 21.

The event brought together chefs, scholars, food advocates, media practitioners, and culinary enthusiasts for an afternoon of meaningful conversations and curated gastronomic experiences centered on Filipino food, culture, and sustainability.

Inspired by two books that have recently been released – “Pinas Simpol” by Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou and “Bukambibig” by food scholar Ige Ramos – the gastronomic dialogue examined the evolving identity of Filipino cuisine and the urgent need to preserve, document, and strengthen the systems surrounding it.

Discussions centered on food sustainability, accessibility, agricultural systems, regionalism, culinary heritage preservation, and the growing role of Geographical Indications (GI) in protecting local products and food traditions.

Sharing the stage with the two book authors as speakers and panelists were Chef Cyrille Soenen, technical director and executive chef of Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo; anthropologist and Professor Emeritus Dr. Fernando Zialcita; and resource persons Estella Duque and Rob Villacabral.

Meaningful conversation

More than a celebration of food, the conference highlighted the need to bridge cultural appreciation with systems that genuinely support Filipino farmers, producers, MSMEs, and regional food communities.

Also a major point of discussion was the importance of codification and documentation in preserving culinary heritage. The collaboration with Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo made it possible to create a meaningful dialogue on both Filipino and French culinary traditions, particularly in how cuisines are preserved, taught, and presented internationally.

Le Cordon Bleu, the mother institution of Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo, is one of the world’s leading culinary institutions rooted in French gastronomy. Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo played an important role in framing the conference discussions through the lens of culinary education, codification, preservation, and gastronomy as cultural heritage.

During the panel discussions, Chef Soenen raised key reflections surrounding French gastronomy and its relevance to the future of Filipino cuisine. Among the central questions explored were how French recipes and kitchen systems were standardized and codified, the role codification played in establishing French cuisine on the global stage, and what French cuisine can continue to learn from Filipino cuisine today.

The discussions highlighted how French culinary traditions became globally influential not only through technique, but through structure, consistency, culinary literature, and formal systems of education that allowed knowledge to be transmitted across generations. At the same time, the panel recognized the unique strengths of Filipino cuisine, complete with its regional diversity, adaptability, communal dining culture, and deeply rooted storytelling traditions.

Rather than positioning French and Filipino cuisines against one another, however, the conference emphasized the value of dialogue between both culinary cultures. French gastronomy offered perspectives on preservation, codification, and institutional learning, while Filipino cuisine contributed lessons in cultural memory, hospitality, regional identity, and emotional connection to food.

Among the major themes that emerged during the dialogue were the challenges of making quality Filipino ingredients more accessible, the realities faced by local producers, and the importance of documenting and preserving food traditions beyond nostalgia.

Speakers also discussed the role of regionalism in Filipino cuisine, emphasizing that the country’s culinary identity is shaped by diverse regional stories, ingredients, and traditions rather than a singular culinary narrative.

Tinubu approves four new divisions for Nigerian Army, recruitment of 28,000 personnel

In a major push to tackle insecurity in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions and recruitment of additional 28,000 personnel.

Under the restructuring, new Divisions of Nigerian Army will be established with Headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The presidency said establishment of the new divisions will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counterinsurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.

The landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army was announced in a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday.

According to the statement, the approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.

‘The expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation,’ Onanuga said in the statement.

Giving further in information of the major push against insecurity by the President, Onanuga said under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country

Division one of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Kaduna will cover Kaduna Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while division two with headquarters in Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

Also, division three with its headquarters in Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States while Division four with headquarters in Makurdi will cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States. T

The headquarters 6 Division will be in Port Harcourt with Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States as its coverage areas, while the 7 Division with Headquarters in Maiduguri covers Borno and Yobe States.

The 8 Division will have its Headquarters in Sokoto with Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States as its coverage areas while the 9 Division with Headquarters in Ilorin would have responsibilities for Kwara and Niger States.

The Headquarters of the 10 Division will be Jalingo with its areas of responsibility as Taraba and Adamawa States just as the 81 Division Headquarters is in Lagos with Lagos and Ogun States as its coverage areas.

Also, the 82 Division Headquarters with Headquarters in Enugu will cover Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States while the 83 Division with Headquarters Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.

The presidency said in the statement that implementation of the new structure of the Nigerian Army will be done in two phases.

‘The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026’

The statement also quoted President Tinubu as commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

‘The President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians,’ the statement said.

BSP grants digital bank license to MariBank

Mobile digital-bank MariBank is now officially a digital bank, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

In its circular dated July 22, the BSP’s Monetary Board said that it approved the request of MariBank to upgrade its banking license from a rural bank to a digital bank.

The BSP announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission approved its amended articles of incorporation and bylaws for a digital banking license on June 16.

This was followed by the Bangko Sentral governor issuing the official certificate of authority to operate on July 8, 2026, according to the BSP.

With its launch, MariBank became the seventh institution to receive a digital banking license in the Philippines.

This positions the bank alongside six other licensed entities: UNO Digital Bank, UnionDigital Bank, GoTyme Bank, Tonik Digital Bank, Maya Bank and Overseas Filipino Bank, which serves as the digital subsidiary of the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines.

Tanzania shares learning gains in Malawi summit

Tanzania has highlighted significant progress in foundational learning, attributing improved pupil performance and higher enrolment to innovative early childhood education programmes.

The country presented its experience alongside South Africa, Ghana and Zambia at the third Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) conference in Malawi, where participants shared successful approaches to improving the quality of early learning.

Tanzania’s National Coordinator for Pre-Primary Education and Foundational Learning at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Julius Swila, said enrolment in pre-primary education had risen to about 77 percent from 47 percent a decade ago, reflecting improvements in teaching and learning. He said the government had invested in innovation, including the rollout of digital learning resources and the implementation of the Quality Early Learning Package (QELP), a learner-centred programme supported by the World Bank.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Swila said the programme encourages children to learn at their own pace through play-based teaching, helping them build literacy and numeracy skills.

“Play-based learning allows children to explore, imagine and develop essential skills naturally,” he said. He said the approach integrates local and modern games, stories, songs and dances to create an engaging learning environment, while teachers receive continuous training to strengthen play-based teaching methods and move away from rote learning.

The government has also supplied schools with teaching manuals, storybooks in Kiswahili and English, educational toys and visual learning materials to support classroom instruction and children’s cognitive development.

According to Mr Swila, the initiative has improved children’s readiness for primary school and strengthened the foundation for better performance throughout their education. However, he said sustained progress would require increased investment in foundational learning to ensure more children enrol, remain in school and achieve better learning outcomes.

The three-day conference, organised by the Government of Malawi in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), brought together education ministers, senior government officials, researchers, development partners and other stakeholders.

It is supported by the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Hempel Foundation, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Human Capital Africa.

New twist as University of Dodoma lecturer Kaijage now faces terrorism charge

The legal saga involving University of Dodoma (Udom) lecturer Melkisedeki Kaijage has taken a new turn after prosecutors upgraded his charge to terrorism.

Mr Kaijage has been in police custody since July 8, 2026, when he was initially arrested for allegedly inciting public protests, an offence for which he was denied bail.

In response, the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association (Udomasa) filed an application seeking his release on bail, which was heard on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Following the hearing regarding the July 7 incitement allegations, the court issued guidelines enabling Mr Kaijage to secure bail.

However, as defence lawyers and Udomasa officials processed the court judgment to execute his release, authorities substituted the charge.

Udomasa Chairman, Dr Gerald Shija, confirmed that the academic now faces a non-bailable terrorism charge and has been transferred from police custody to Isanga Prison.

‘Yesterday, we received information that Mr Kaijage was taken to court. Upon arrival, we discovered he had already been remanded on a new charge of terrorism,’ said Dr Shija.

The severe charge presents significant legal hurdles for his family and colleagues regarding bail eligibility.

Mr Kaijage is widely regarded among peers as a popular lecturer who maintains strong rapport with students, an influence colleagues attribute to his engaging teaching methods rather than political mobilisation.