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Ododo commends Tinubu as Kogi airport construction reaches 25%

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the construction of the Kogi State International Airport at Zariagi, near Lokoja, describing the project as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development across the states.

Ododo spoke on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the construction site, where he assessed progress and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work.

The governor described the airport as a strategic investment that would improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, attract investors and unlock Kogi State’s economic potential.

He noted that Kogi’s geographical location, which connects it to several major commercial centres, including the Federal Capital Territory, made the airport an important infrastructure project.

According to him, despite its strategic position and commercial advantages, Kogi had operated without its own airport until the Tinubu administration supported the initiative.

Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to monitoring the project regularly to ensure that construction met the required standards and timelines.

He expressed optimism that the project would record significant progress by next year, urging residents to recognise the facility’s long-term economic and developmental benefits.

The governor also challenged critics questioning the feasibility of the airport project to visit the site and see the ongoing work for themselves.

‘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,’ Ododo said.

Providing an update, the Project Manager of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Kogi State Project Office, Engr. Sun Yishi, said construction had reached approximately 20 per cent completion.

He explained that the current phase of work was focused largely on earthworks for the runway and its associated safety areas.

According to him, earthworks are among the most demanding stages of airport construction, involving extensive excavation, filling, laterite placement and ground preparation before pavement works can begin.

Also speaking, the lead consultant, Architect Adebayo Adidipe of Arcade Consultants Limited, estimated the overall level of completion at between 20 and 25 per cent.

Adidipe expressed confidence in the pace of construction and commended Ododo, the State Ministry of Transportation, the commissioner and the permanent secretary for their support and cooperation.

He added that concerns raised by the project team had received prompt attention, helping to facilitate the smooth execution of the project.

Lagos Assembly backs constitution amendment

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday joined 24 other State Houses of Assembly in approving the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, a move that clears the path for presidential assent and the eventual establishment of state police.

The plenary, presided over by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, considered the bill after it was transmitted by the National Assembly for concurrence as required by law.

It will be recalled that the National Assembly formally advanced the ongoing constitutional review process by transmitting the Sixth Alteration Bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for review and approval.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the transmission was in line with Section 9(2) of the Constitution, which provides that any proposed amendment passed by the National Assembly requires concurrence via resolution by at least two-thirds-24 out of 36-of the State Houses of Assembly before it can be presented to the President for assent.

Central among the legislative proposals in the current alteration cycle is the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which has dominated national discourse in recent months.

The bill seeks to establish a framework for decentralised policing in Nigeria, creating a two-tier structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services. The proposal has received presidential backing following the inauguration by President Bola Tinubu of a Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to develop the legal framework for the reform.

Proponents argue that decentralised policing will bring security closer to the people, improve rapid responses to local security threats, and address peculiar security challenges across states.

During deliberations, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described the amendment as timely and long overdue.

The Speaker said: ‘I strongly believe the proposed amendment is a good one for us. For so many years, and at every section by each assembly that has come, we always have a reason to deal with issues that has to do with security of our nation for the security of our people. So, it is a good one for us that this is taking place and happening in this 10th Assembly. Both the Senate and House of Representatives have done their own bits and sent to all Houses of Assembly. I congratulate each one of us.’

Speaking further after the voice vote that adopted the bill, the Speaker commended the National Assembly, but expressed reservations that the current draft still cedes too much control to the Federal Government.

‘Even though we are happy that we are having state police, our interest and position has not been well taken care of in this alteration. As you follow, you would realise that the major control still lies at the central. There is a provision that says where there is a conflict between the State Assembly and National Assembly, the federal prevails. But it is still a step forward. I want to believe that there is hope in the future that will give total control to the state,’ Obasa said.

He thanked President Tinubu for his firm belief in democratic institutions and for supporting the reform.

‘I want to thank the President for his firm belief in democratic institutions. We appreciate him. We commend both the National Assembly and House of Representatives for this move. We are not there yet. We still hope they will do the needful in appropriate time,’ he added.

The Speaker also used the opportunity to advocate for a legislative protection mechanism, proposing the establishment of a Parliamentary Police similar to what obtains in the United States.

‘There is no such provision in the state. There should be in the Act provision for the Parliamentary Police as we have in the United States if we are ready to protect the Legislature. Learning from past incident, a government will demolish a parliament just like that because of one person’s interest and desire. For this not to happen again, Parliamentary Police will go a long way in strengthening the legislation,’ he said.

Why housing policies failed to deliver desired results – Oyedele

Nigeria’s housing policies have failed to deliver the desired results over several decades because of weak political will, inadequate funding, corruption and poor continuity between successive administrations, a built environment expert, Mr. Olufemi Oyedele, has said.

Oyedele, who said he reviewed the country’s housing policies from 1928 to 2024, argued that many government interventions were introduced as political promises or responses to international expectations, rather than products of rigorous research, strategic planning and sustainable implementation frameworks.

He identified the absence of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms as another major factor responsible for the persistent failure of housing programmes, warning that the country would continue to struggle with its housing deficit unless governments addressed the structural weaknesses undermining policy delivery.

He said, housing policies often suffer from poor implementation because governments lack the commitment required to translate policy objectives into tangible results for Nigerians.

He said inadequate financing also undermined housing delivery, noting that policies were frequently announced without proper funding arrangements or a comprehensive framework for execution.

Oyedele further blamed corruption for the poor outcomes of some housing programmes, alleging that houses developed with public resources were sometimes allocated to politically connected individuals or people who already had accommodation, instead of being made accessible to those who needed them most.

He cited the mass housing programme associated with a former Lagos State governor, Lateef Jakande, as a contrast to situations in which political connections allegedly influenced the allocation of publicly funded housing.

Oyedele, who doubles as the Managing Director/CEO, Fame Oyster and Co., also identified discontinuity in government policies as a major obstacle to sustainable housing development, noting that successive administrations often abandoned programmes initiated by their predecessors.

He expressed concern over the apparent loss of momentum surrounding plans to establish building materials manufacturing hubs across the six geopolitical zones, saying land had reportedly been secured in Lagos for one of the proposed facilities.

According to him, abandoning such initiatives undermines long-term planning, wastes resources and prevents the country from building on lessons learned from previous housing interventions.

To address the challenges, Oyedele called for the establishment of independent monitoring and evaluation teams to assess the implementation of housing policies, identify obstacles and document lessons for future programmes.

He proposed that such teams should comprise housing advocates from civil society organisations, academic housing experts, real estate developers, representatives of built environment professional bodies and officials of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

He argued that independent oversight would strengthen accountability, improve implementation and ensure that housing policies were evaluated against measurable outcomes rather than political announcements.

Beyond policy implementation, Oyedele called for strategic urban planning and the systematic review of land use to address the pressures created by rapid population growth and unplanned urban expansion.

He observed that new communities were emerging across Lagos State without adequate government provision of essential infrastructure, including public schools, waste management facilities, tarred roads and public health centres.

The situation, he said, highlighted the need for governments to coordinate housing development with transportation, infrastructure and social services to create functional and liveable communities.

Oyedele also drew attention to the paradox of vacant plots in prime locations, completed but unoccupied properties and abandoned construction projects existing alongside a substantial housing deficit.

He put Lagos State’s housing deficit at 3.4 million units, compared with an estimated 1.8 million units for Ghana, arguing that the scale of the challenge required more deliberate planning and effective land management.

The expert further warned that excessive commuting times could have adverse implications for public health and the environment, stressing the need to organise cities in ways that bring homes, workplaces and essential services closer together.

He suggested that Nigerian cities could draw lessons from established urban planning models, including the Burgess Concentric Zone Theory and the Hoyt Sector Model, while adapting them to local conditions.

According to him, regular planning and replanning of urban land use would help governments manage population growth, reduce commuting pressures and improve residents’ quality of life.

Oyedele maintained that tackling Nigeria’s housing crisis required more than the introduction of new policies, insisting that the priority should be to ensure that existing and future programmes are properly funded, transparently implemented, monitored and sustained across successive administrations.

He said that a combination of political commitment, accountability, strategic urban planning and continuity in government programmes was essential to translating housing policies into affordable homes and better living conditions for Nigerians.

Naira depreciates against dollar at official FX market

The Nigerian naira depreciated against the United States (US) dollar, trading at N1,367.6057 at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official foreign exchange (FX) window on Monday.

The data shared on the CBN’s official platform shows that the naira traded at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of N1,367.6057 per dollar and closed at N1,365.0000 per dollar.

The currency, which traded at an NFEM rate of N1,361.8394 on October 23rd, 2026, depreciated by at least N5.77, after trading activities on Monday.

At the parallel market, the buying rate increased by N10, while the selling rate increased by N13, when compared to the previous trading rate on Friday, October 23rd, 2026.

According to Aboki FX , the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate at the black market on Monday, October 26th, 2026, was N1,382 and N1,390 per dollar for buying and selling rates, respectively.

Tanzania records 7,219 rape cases in 2025

Dodoma. Tanzania recorded 7,219 rape cases between January and December 2025, with the government warning against concealing sexual violence or settling such cases outside the legal system.

Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Maryprisca Mahundi said rape and other forms of gender-based violence violated human rights, dignity and personal safety, stressing that the government strongly condemned such acts.

She was responding in Parliament to a question from Special Seats MP Hawa Mchafu, who sought the government’s position on persistent rape incidents, some of which result in victims becoming pregnant.

In a supplementary question, Temeke MP Mariam Kisangi (CCM) asked what measures the government was taking to address the practice of privately settling rape cases without involving law enforcement authorities.

Ms Mahundi warned that such arrangements denied survivors justice and allowed perpetrators to evade accountability.

“The government continues to strengthen the enforcement of laws protecting children against abuse, including rape and sodomy,” she said.

She said the government was also intensifying public awareness campaigns to prevent sexual violence and strengthening support services for survivors.The services include assistance through Social Welfare Offices, Gender and Children’s Desks at police stations and local government offices.

Ms Mahundi urged the public to report rape and other forms of abuse instead of concealing incidents or negotiating settlements with suspected perpetrators.

She said cases could be reported through the police Gender and Children’s Desk emergency number, 0699 913 200, or the national child helpline, 116.

The deputy minister also called on the public to cooperate with law enforcement authorities by providing information and evidence to support investigations and ensure perpetrators were held accountable.

She said protecting survivors and securing justice required collective efforts by families, communities and government institutions.

Kazakhstan car dealerships tighten sales restrictions on Russian buyers

Car dealerships in Kazakhstan are reportedly refusing to sell vehicles to Russian citizens, including some with local registration, amid concerns about violating international sanctions imposed on Russia.

According to Russian media outlet Mash Money, a Russian citizen attempting to purchase a vehicle at a Škoda dealership in Almaty was denied the transaction after presenting a Russian passport.

The dealership reportedly cited European Union sanctions and the Czech carmaker’s corporate policies as reasons for refusing the sale.

While similar restrictions have previously affected Russian citizens without residency status in Kazakhstan, the latest reported incident suggests that some dealerships may also be applying limitations to Russians with local registration.

However, there has been no confirmation of a nationwide ban on vehicle sales to Russian citizens.

Major automotive brands reportedly impose restrictions

According to earlier reports by Autonews and Kazakhstan Today, dealerships representing several international automotive brands have introduced restrictions on vehicle sales to Russian customers.

The brands reportedly affected include Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen, Chery, Audi, Nissan, Lexus and Lada.

The restrictions vary depending on the manufacturer and dealership.

Volkswagen representatives reportedly referred to the broader political situation, while Audi dealerships cited direct instructions from the manufacturer.

Kia dealerships, meanwhile, were reported to require buyers to possess a Kazakh residence permit or tax identification number before completing a purchase.

The measures reflect concerns among local distributors that vehicles sold to Russian buyers could subsequently be transferred to Russia, potentially exposing dealerships to sanctions-related compliance risks.

According to Kazakhstan’s El.kz, some Russian buyers have increasingly relied on local intermediaries to purchase vehicles as dealerships seek to avoid transactions that could raise sanctions concerns.

Ilya Mazayev, a buyer from Yekaterinburg, told Avto Mail that he was offered alternative arrangements when attempting to finalise a vehicle purchase in Kazakhstan.

Such arrangements reportedly involve local intermediaries facilitating transactions that dealerships may be unwilling to conduct directly with Russian citizens.

However, the legality of individual transactions depends on the vehicles involved, the applicable sanctions and the circumstances of the sale.

Anton Shaparin, vice president of Russia’s National Automobile Union, attributed the restrictions to concerns among Kazakh dealerships about losing access to international automotive manufacturers.

According to Shaparin, manufacturers could terminate supply agreements if they suspected that their Kazakh partners were facilitating the circumvention of sanctions against Russia.

Danish Prime Minister questions Finland and Norway’s calls with Putin

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has expressed skepticism about reported ‘uncoordinated’ telephone conversations between the leaders of Finland and Norway and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to media reports published on Tuesday.

Frederiksen made the remarks during a visit to Finland.

‘I am very skeptical of this initiative by Norway and Finland. It has not been coordinated with any of us,’ she said.

Denmark’s public broadcaster DR reported that Frederiksen saw no signs that Russia wanted peace with Europe and accused Moscow of continuing its daily hybrid warfare.

‘I think we should ensure European solidarity rather than engage in these conversations individually,’ the Danish prime minister added.

Her remarks followed media reports that Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had held what were described as ‘frank and open’ telephone conversations with Putin concerning Ukraine.

Last week, the two leaders hosted US-Ukrainian talks in Oslo.

Frederiksen’s comments highlight differences among European leaders over how to approach diplomatic contacts with Moscow amid the continuing war in Ukraine. Her emphasis on coordination reflects concerns about maintaining a common European position in any engagement with the Russian leadership.

Former banker Christopher Edeh jailed 39 years for N2.7bn fraud

A former banker, Christopher Jackson Edeh was on Tuesday sentenced to a total of 39 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a N2.7 billion fraud by Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Edeh was prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on nine a nine-count charge bordering on fraudulent accounting and unauthorised access to a computer system.

EFCC alleged that Edeh who was first arraigned on February 28, 2024, altered the bank account details of several customers and government-related entities, including the Kano State Government Power Intervention Fund, NNPC Trading Limited, Stallion Vision Ltd, the Lagos State Government Blue Line, the State Contributory Pension Account and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, with intent to defraud.

During the trial, prosecuting counsel, Z.B. Atiku called three witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence to establish the case against the defendant.

The defence, on its part, called one witness.

In her judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted Edeh on the nine counts.

The court sentenced Edeh to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on each of counts one to seven, bordering on fraudulent false accounting, and two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on each of counts eight and nine, relating to unauthorised access to a computer system with intent to facilitate the commission of crimes.

The court ordered that all the sentences run concurrently.

French consumer confidence falls to lowest level since 2013

Concerns about household finances are growing in France, with consumer confidence falling to its lowest level since June 2013, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) on October 27.

According to the institute’s figures, France’s consumer confidence index dropped by five points in October from the previous month to 80, well below its long-term average of 100.

Insee said the decline was primarily driven by French consumers’ increasingly negative assessments of their personal financial situations.

The latest figures point to mounting concerns among households over their finances, as consumer confidence remains significantly below its historical average.

Tanzania targets Sh7.3 trillion for climate projects at COP31

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is targeting Sh7.3 trillion to finance environmental conservation and climate change projects as it prepares for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Trkiye next month.

The government has called on experts to develop clear proposals and a unified national position to strengthen the country’s negotiating power and help secure the funding needed to implement its environmental management programmes under Development Vision 2050.

Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office, Dr Richard Muyungi, made the call in a speech read by Director of Environment Kemilembe Mutasa during an experts’ meeting in Dar es Salaam on Tanzania’s preparations for the conference, scheduled for November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya.

‘The Environmental Management Transformation Programme towards Vision 2050 has identified financial requirements amounting to Sh7.3 trillion. As we head to the conference, it is our responsibility to ensure these funds are secured through negotiations,’ Dr Muyungi said.

He urged Tanzanian delegates to put the interests of more than 60 million citizens first and speak with one voice during the negotiations, saying a coordinated position would strengthen the country’s representation and ability to advance its priorities.

Dr Muyungi said Tanzania had gained experience in international climate negotiations through its role as chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) at COP30 in Brazil, where it helped coordinate Africa’s common position on climate finance and the implementation of international agreements.

He cited the establishment of a climate negotiation training programme for young people as one of the achievements associated with the country’s engagement in the process.

The Vice-President’s Office coordinated the programme’s first training session in Dar es Salaam from October 20 to 22, 2026.

Other achievements included the launch of a commemorative book marking 30 years of the AGN, documenting the group’s history, achievements and contribution to global climate negotiations.

Dr Muyungi also pointed to the establishment of a regional office for the Santiago Network, which supports access to technical assistance for countries facing climate-related loss and damage.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar plans to use COP31 to push for more financing to protect vulnerable coastal areas and strengthen climate resilience in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.

Director of Marine Conservation at Zanzibar’s Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Makame Omar Makame, said the islands were exposed to climate-related threats that could affect livelihoods and economic activities.

He said the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government would join other stakeholders in seeking funding for environmental conservation and climate change adaptation projects.

‘The funds secured will enable the construction of sea walls to prevent coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion, as well as support public education on climate change,’ Dr Makame said.

A representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ghaamid Abdulbasat, said the organisation was working with the government through the Vice President’s Office to implement commitments under international environmental agreements.

He cited the Global Restoration Initiative, which aims to restore natural vegetation across approximately 5.2 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 in the Great Ruaha and Lake Rukwa basins, covering parts of Iringa, Mbeya and Rukwa regions.