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Oyo govt reconstructs five roads to improve connectivity in Ogbomoso North

Oyo State Government has intensified the reconstruction of five roads in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area as part of efforts to improve road infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and ease transportation for residents and businesses.

The projects, which cover several routes within the local government area, are part of ongoing road infrastructure interventions being carried out by the state government across Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South.

An update shared by the Oyo State Government’s Feedback Service on X featured photographs showing the ongoing reconstruction work on the roads.

The five road projects in Ogbomoso North include the 2.6-kilometre Ile-Ewe-Oke Aduin Road; the 1.7-kilometre Aguodo-Olojo-Sekoni-Osupa-Eleko-Bosunla Junction Road; and the 3.3-kilometre General-Orita Naira-Oja Igbo-Abede Road.

Others are the 5.7-kilometre Owode-Idi Oro-Kere Baya Oje Road and the one-kilometre INEC-Delight Hotel-Ile-Ewe Junction Road.

The reconstruction projects are expected to improve access to different communities within the local government area, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and support commercial activities along the affected routes.

The interventions also form part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade road infrastructure and improve transportation networks across Oyo.

Five easy ways to check your name on INEC’s voter register online

Registered voters can now check their names and other details on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) preliminary register of voters online ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission provides an online portal that allows voters to inspect the register for their polling units and identify possible errors or discrepancies.

1. Visit INEC’s online register portal

Visit https://display.inecnigeria.org/, the commission’s dedicated portal for viewing the preliminary register of voters.

2. Sign in to your account

Follow the sign-in instructions on the portal to access the register. Users must sign in before they can view the list of registered voters.

3. Select your polling unit

Choose your state, local government area, ward and polling unit to access the register for your location.

You can also enter your polling unit code to locate the relevant register.

4. Check the names and photographs

The portal displays the names and photographs of registered voters in the selected polling unit.

Users can select a letter to navigate to surnames beginning with that letter, making it easier to find a particular entry.

Check that your name and other displayed particulars are correct. You can also inspect other entries in the register for your polling unit.

5. Understand the portal’s limitations

INEC’s platform is designed for viewing the preliminary register. It cannot be used to register as a voter, transfer registration to another polling unit or replace a Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

The portal also does not support searching for an individual’s name across the country. Users must select a polling unit to view its register.

INEC monitors activity on the platform and limits the amount of information each account can access to protect the register from misuse. Users who reach the limit may be asked to try again later.

Those seeking to register to vote or access other voter registration services can visit INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration portal.

What happens after the inspection?

INEC says it is processing claims and objections arising from the preliminary register inspection exercise ahead of the certification and publication of the final register on December 15, 2026.

Voters who identify errors or discrepancies should consult INEC’s official guidance on submitting claims or objections, as the online viewing portal is not a voter registration or correction service.

NBTC legal woes threaten conference, flood relief

Legal uncertainty over the status of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman is threatening to affect preparations to attend a key international telecom conference and planned flood-relief measures for affected mobile phone subscribers, according to an NBTC executive source.

At the recent fourth special meeting convened by six NBTC commissioners without the participation of chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, the meeting instructed the NBTC secretary-general to implement several urgent measures, including approval for Thailand’s delegation to attend the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, scheduled for Nov 9-27 in Doha, Qatar.

The conference is significant for Thailand as the country prepares to seek re-election to the ITU Council, representing the Asia and Australasia region, for another term covering 2027-30.

The NBTC special meeting unanimously agreed that commissioner Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn should head the Thai delegation in place of Dr Sarana, whom the majority of commissioners consider no longer eligible to perform the role.

However, holding special meetings without the chairman has cast doubt over the authority of the meetings to pass key resolutions and the validity of those resolutions.

The six commissioners have held their own special meetings without Dr Sarana after the NBTC selection committee ruled in July that he lacked the qualifications to hold office.

Dr Sarana argued that he remains the legitimate NBTC chairman and that his court case against the NBTC selection committee’s ruling has yet to reach finality.

The impasse has left the NBTC office uncertain about whether it can lawfully implement resolutions passed by the six commissioners at special meetings.

FLOOD RELIEF

The six commissioners’ special meeting also instructed all mobile and telecommunications operators to introduce relief measures for flood-hit customers.

The measures include extending bill payment deadlines by seven days for postpaid subscribers, adding seven days of service validity for prepaid customers and requiring operators to prepare for potential flooding in southern Thailand and implement similar assistance measures immediately if flooding occurs.

The NBTC executive source said the conflict over Dr Sarana’s doubtful qualifications could undermine the operators’ delivery of assistance to affected people.

Without administrative orders issued by the NBTC office, mobile operators might not implement the relief measures, the source said.

Conversely, even if the office issues orders, there is no guarantee that operators will implement them, given uncertainty over whether resolutions adopted at the commissioners’ special meeting were made through a legally valid process.

Operators could question whether the resolutions provide a sufficient legal basis for binding administrative orders, leaving the intended relief measures vulnerable to delays.

An executive of a major telecom operator who requested anonymity said that, in the case of the ITU, if the NBTC office proceeds to issue the resolution reached by the majority of NBTC commissioners during their special meeting, the ITU might contact the NBTC office for confirmation.

Regarding flood-relief measures, the private sector will need to determine whether the NBTC office’s formalisation of this special-meeting resolution constitutes a request for cooperation or a mandatory order.

“If it is a request for cooperation that benefits the public, the private sector is prepared to provide support. However, if it is issued as an order, raising questions regarding its legitimacy, the private sector might need to consult the NBTC office to verify the legal validity of the resolution,” said the executive.

President Ilham Aliyev: World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has contributed to the development of intercultural relations

‘The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has really transformed over the years into one of the most efficient and inclusive platforms for addressing issues of intercultural relations, and not only,’ President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.

The head of state noted that discussions at the forums traditionally focus on pressing issues on the global agenda.

Popular Islamic cleric, associate shot dead in Katsina as Ansaru claims responsibility

Gunmen have shot dead prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Masusuka and his associate, Adamu Abubakar, outside the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Jihadist group Ansaru has subsequently claiming responsibility for the attack.

The killing occurred on Monday evening when two armed men riding on a motorcycle opened fire on the victims at the entrance to Masusuka’s residence before fleeing, according to the Katsina State Police Command.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment but were later pronounced dead, the police said.

The command said it had launched an investigation and deployed tactical and operational teams to track down the assailants. No arrests had been announced as of the time of filing this report.

The group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, popularly known as Ansaru, claimed responsibility in a four-minute video obtained by Premium Times on Tuesday.

In the video, the group accused Masusuka of promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and challenging its extremist ideology.

Ansaru described the cleric as an arnai, a term it used to label him an infidel, and alleged that he was involved in efforts to disrupt Islam and confuse Muslims.

The group also claimed Masusuka had been invited to participate in a mukabala, or religious debate, but declined. It issued threats against others it accused of belittling the Hadiths, the recorded sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

Masusuka was known for his Quran-centred teachings and advocacy for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths. He had also spoken against violent extremism and radicalisation.

The cleric had previously attracted controversy over his religious teachings. On November 18, 2025, the Katsina State Government announced that he would be required to defend his teachings before a committee of Islamic scholars. However, there is no independently established evidence linking that earlier controversy to his killing.

Masusuka was reportedly preparing to organise a religious gathering in Katsina State later this week.

Amnesty International condemned the killing and called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the attack thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice. The organisation also said the cleric had faced threats and intimidation during his lifetime.

Thai car production falls 6.1% in September

?Car production in dropped 6.1% in September from a year earlier to 120,319 units, due partially to disruptions caused by flooding, the Federation of Thai Industries said on Tuesday.

The reading ?followed ?a rise of 10.9% in August.

Despite the decline in September, cumulative vehicle production in the first nine months of 2026 was still up 0.4% year-on-year to 1.08 million units.

The FTI maintained ?its annual auto production target at 1.45 million units, after cutting it in July from 1.5 million units set at the start of the ?year.

Domestic car sales in September rose 14.3% from a year earlier, following a rise ?of 25.5% in August, the federation said. Sales for the first nine months were up 16.4% at 512,226 units.

The increase was driven by electric vehicles, ?said Surapong ?Paisitpattanapong, spokesperson for the Automotive Industry Club of the FTI.

?Car exports rose 4.55% year-on-year in September, compared to a fall of 2% in the previous month, ?the FTI said. However, exports for the first nine months remained weak, declining 4.9% to 655,009 units.

Thai carmakers have ?resumed production after flooding last month that disrupted operations at automakers and suppliers, killed ?at least 80 people.

Gregoriou highlights solutions to water scarcity at MED-RISE conference in Cairo

The challenges Cyprus faces from water scarcity and recurring droughts, and ways to address them, were highlighted by Andreas Gregoriou, Permanent Secretary, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, during the MED-RISE High-Level Conference held in Cairo on October 25 and 26.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry on Tuesday, Gregoriou outlined measures such as desalination, the reuse of treated wastewater, more efficient irrigation and reducing water losses in distribution networks. He also stressed the need to attract investment and make use of European and international funding opportunities to support water-related projects.

Gregoriou also highlighted the importance of cooperation among Mediterranean countries and joint commitments to concrete projects, highlighting the role international initiatives can play in encouraging investment in the sector.

The MED-RISE conference was held as part of the 9th Cairo Water Week, which runs from October 25 to 29 and focuses on water security, sustainable water management and regional cooperation.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation among countries, public authorities and international organisations to advance sustainable water management projects. Particular attention was given to the links between water, energy, agriculture and environmental protection, as well as securing funding for projects with long-term impact.

Reps receive Tinubu’s bill to facilitate transfer of prisoners to foreign countries

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to the House of Representatives for consideration, seeking to strengthen the legal framework for transferring convicted offenders between Nigeria and other countries.

The bill was conveyed in a letter titled ‘Transmission of the Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Amendment Bill, 2026 for Consideration’, dated October 20, 2026, with reference number PRES/134-1/HR/45/EB.

The letter was addressed to the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, who read its contents during plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, Tinubu said the bill was transmitted pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

He said: ‘Pursuant to Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I forward herewith the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for the kind consideration of the House of Representatives.’

According to the President, the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act, Cap. T16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide for arrangements to transfer convicted offenders between Nigeria and other countries.

Tinubu explained that the amendment would give effect to provisions in any scheme or agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and another country for the transfer of convicted offenders.

A key provision of the bill would empower the President to issue an order, published in the Federal Gazette, extending the Act’s application to any country with which Nigeria has concluded an agreement on the transfer of convicted offenders.

The proposed amendment also seeks to facilitate the implementation of such agreements with non-Commonwealth countries, expanding the scope of Nigeria’s existing legal framework.

Tinubu urged the House of Representatives to consider the bill expeditiously to enable the proposed amendments to take effect.

High Court declines to hear suit on Tata Magadi permit suspension

The High Court has declined to hear a suit by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited, which sought to challenge the government’s decision to suspend its mining operations, saying it should have been filed before the Environment and Land Court (ELC).

The court held that disputes relating to minerals and mining are closely linked to land use and the environment.

‘Minerals and mines are intertwined with land and environment. That would explain why the Mining Act is peppered with provisions on land, land use and the environment. That then ought to raise questions about jurisdiction, concerning which court would have jurisdiction to handle disputes relating to minerals and mining,’ the court said.

The judge added: ‘Clearly, the Environment and Land Court is the court with jurisdiction to hear disputes relating to mining in Kenya.’

The company had moved to court after the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy wrote to it on July 28, 2026, directing it to suspend its mining operations over alleged non-compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Tata Chemicals Magadi sought to quash the letter, arguing that the decision was unconstitutional, null and void, and violated its rights under the Constitution and the Mining Act.

The company contended that the suspension was imposed without prior notice or an opportunity to respond to the allegations, address the alleged deficiencies, or show cause why its operations should not be halted.

While acknowledging that the government has powers under the Mining Act to administer the law, including suspending or revoking mineral rights and licences, the company argued that such powers must be exercised in accordance with the law.

It further argued that the decision was disproportionate because it imposed an immediate and blanket suspension of all its mining operations, which it said was unrelated to the allegations contained in the ministry’s letter.

In response, Secretary of Mines in the State Department for Mining, Thomas Mutwiwa, said the government had engaged the company over several years regarding its statutory obligations.

He said the notice was issued to compel the company to comply with the law following several alleged violations, including non-payment of royalties and the accumulation of royalty arrears.

Mr Mutwiwa said the ministry had written several letters to the company over the outstanding issues, which were followed by visits from inspection teams.

He added that the local community had raised complaints against the company, accusing it of exploiting local mineral resources and degrading the environment without providing tangible economic benefits to residents.

The ministry also cited complaints relating to land rates and alleged non-compliance with local content requirements.

Mr Mutwiwa said the issues remained unresolved despite engagements with the company to address the complaints.

He told the court that a meeting was held on July 29, 2026, a day after the suspension notice was issued, during which the company committed to cooperate with the ministry by providing information and documentation.

The ministry further argued that the company had applied for a licence, which was still being processed.

Mutwiwa said Tata Chemicals Magadi did not hold a mining licence or any other mineral right granted under the Mining Act. He therefore maintained that the decision to halt its operations did not amount to the suspension of a mineral right.

Slow visa processing disrupts travel to Thailand

Slow visa processing in countries whose visa-free privileges have been withdrawn has disrupted travel to Thailand, with many travellers opting for Vietnam instead. Airlines have also reported a large number of no-show passengers and urged the government to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia market suffered a sharp 40% decline following the closure of Riyadh’s international airport after Houthi strikes earlier this month.

Emirates was among the airlines reporting the consequences of the slow visa application process, recording 30-40 no-show passengers per flight on its Mexico-Thailand route, as many travellers were unable to obtain visas before their departure dates.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the ministry had acknowledged the issue. The visa policy committee is scheduled to meet on Nov 9, when the tourism ministry will propose granting visa privileges to several Latin American countries, including Mexico, as well as Uzbekistan.

However, the committee must thoroughly discuss the candidates on the list, taking both security and economic factors into account.

According to sources in the travel industry, many tourists from Latin America have shifted their travel plans to other destinations with faster and more convenient visa procedures, particularly Vietnam, which offers tourism products similar to those of Thailand.

Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said that even though the European and US markets remained largely unfazed by the Middle East conflict, posting growth of 0.09% and 0.19%, respectively, the war continued to have a significant impact on Gulf countries, which are directly affected, resulting in a decline of 8.1% as of Oct 20.

SAUDI MARKET HIT HARD

She said the Saudi market, which had been among the fastest-growing markets in recent years, plunged by almost 40%, mainly due to disruptions at Riyadh’s main airport this month, as airlines were forced to cancel flights following several Houthi attacks and the airport’s closure.

This resulted in the suspension of 10 direct flights per week between Riyadh and Bangkok, leaving only nine weekly flights between Jeddah and Bangkok still in operation.

Mrs Chiravadee said the recovery of the Middle East market had also stalled after a strong rebound in pent-up demand when conditions improved in the third quarter.

However, with Middle Eastern airlines having resumed all services to maintain slots at previous levels, she said the agency expects the region to stage a solid recovery once the conflict subsides.

For instance, during the winter season, Qatar Airways is increasing its direct flights from Doha to Phuket to 21 per week from 14, with the increase scheduled to take effect on Oct 25.

During the fourth quarter, she said the number of visitors from long-haul markets is projected to reach 3.38 million, driven by continued growth from several markets, led by Poland and the Nordic countries, which recorded increases of 10.8% and 5.8%, respectively, during the first 10 months of the year.

Forward bookings for the final quarter also remain strong in several key markets, including Russia, up 34% year-on-year, Kazakhstan, up 45%, Finland, up 29%, Denmark, up 14%, Sweden, up 13% and Norway, up 8%.

For the first quarter of 2027, forward bookings recorded by Amadeus Destination Gateway indicate that arrivals from long-haul markets to Thailand are expected to reach 2.25 million, an increase of 18.3% year-on-year, with the Middle East posting the strongest growth at 38.2%, followed by Europe at 17.5%.

Mrs Chiravadee said the trend next year is likely to see more airlines expand long-haul direct services that bypass Middle Eastern hubs, offering travellers more options to plan trips that avoid potential risks associated with these hubs.

This trend is already evident in airlines’ expansion this year, with direct flights from Europe, the US and Africa totalling around 5.73 million seats, up 5.56% year-on-year as of Oct 2.

This winter, notable new direct services include Scandinavian Airlines’ flights from Copenhagen to Phuket and Krabi.

CAUTION PERSISTS

In 2027, the TAT projects that arrivals from long-haul markets will reach 11 million, up 4% from this year, generating 730 billion baht in revenue, also an increase of 4%.

She said the agency must continue efforts to stimulate spending in certain underperforming markets that have been affected by rising fuel costs, weakening economic confidence and price-sensitive consumer behaviour.

These include the UK market, which declined by 3-4% this year, as around 30% of travellers relied on connecting flights through Middle Eastern airports, prompting more people to take holiday trips within Europe instead during the past summer.

For markets facing ongoing protests, Mrs Chiravadee said the agency is closely monitoring the situation. While there has been no immediate impact, as most tourists had already booked their holidays in advance, the situation could affect bookings for next year.

To prepare for any potential impact, she said the agency has already held discussions with airlines on launching joint promotions.

One new partnership is expected with Italy’s flag carrier, ITA Airways, which has merged with the Lufthansa Group.

The TAT and ITA Airways are planning to organise familiarisation trips to raise Thailand’s profile in the Italian market, with the TAT hoping that the airline will upgrade its Thailand services to year-round operations rather than operating only during the peak season.

Suladda Sarutilavan, TAT’s executive director of Europe, said the agency recently hosted the Amazing Thailand Fest 2026 in Madrid, attracting around 5,000 visitors after promoting the event through 430 digital screens across the city.

She said the Spanish market has strong growth potential, supported by flight connections from several Spanish cities via Istanbul, a major aviation hub that offers access to Thailand without relying on Middle Eastern transit points.

The agency also held an inaugural flight ceremony on Oct 25 for Belavia, which has launched scheduled services from Minsk, Belarus, to Bangkok with one weekly flight and will reinstate its direct Minsk-Phuket service with two flights per week from Oct 29 to serve higher demand during the winter season.