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Efia Odo, Mzbel, Afia Schwarzenegger Criticise Serwaa Amihere Over Fake Designer Bags

Media personality, Serwaa Amihere, has drawn criticism from showbiz personalities Efia Odo, Mzbel and Afia Schwarzenegger after she advised young women against buying counterfeit designer bags.

Serwaa, a lawyer and broadcaster, sparked debate after a video of her advising women to avoid fake designer items if they could not afford the originals circulated on social media.

Efia Odo was among the first to react, questioning why anyone should be concerned about another person’s decision to buy a fake designer bag.

In a video shared on X, she argued that people should not be judged by their clothing and accessories, particularly when it comes to employment.

‘I think what our sister wanted to say was, ‘Cut your coat according to your size.’ But if my size is to have a fake Birkin, what is her problem? And why should you not hire someone because they are wearing a fake Birkin?’ she asked.

She maintained that a person’s qualifications, rather than their appearance or possessions, should determine their suitability for a job.

Efia Odo also questioned the affordability of designer products for young people, arguing that many jobs in Accra did not pay enough to support such lifestyles.

Musician, Mzbel, also weighed in on the debate, insisting people should not be judged by what they wear or carry.

She noted that imitation products were common, extending beyond bags to wigs, nails, eyelashes and cosmetic enhancements.

‘Fake is fake; it doesn’t matter how expensive it is. If it is fake, it is fake. Fake BBL, nails, wigs, bags, and even buttocks. Opinions shouldn’t be formed about you based on the kind of bag you are holding,’ she said.

Afia Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, challenged Serwaa Amihere over the remarks, sharing an alleged conversation from 2021 in which the broadcaster was reportedly discussing the purchase of imitation jewellery.

She argued that Serwaa should be mindful of her comments, particularly given that not everyone could afford original designer products.

‘The statement you made was so uncalled for. The copper chains are someone’s business, and it’s not everyone who can afford the original chain,’ Afia Schwarzenegger said.

She further urged the broadcaster to be more measured in her public commentary, given her professional background as a lawyer.

The reactions have fuelled an online debate about the use of counterfeit designer products, financial status and the tendency to judge people by their appearance.

Instagram tests new video format as it looks to compete with YouTube

Instagram has begun testing a new ‘Features’ format that allows users to share horizontal videos lasting up to 90 minutes.

According to Variety, the new format is designed to give content creators the ability to publish longer videos on the platform.

The feature is currently available to a limited number of creators in the United States and Brazil. Instagram has yet to announce when it will be rolled out more widely.

The social media platform has previously attempted to compete with YouTube through IGTV, a standalone video service launched in 2018. However, the project failed to gain widespread popularity and was discontinued in 2021.

Beyond the board exam: Cebu’s engineering workforce faces the test of a changing industry

CEBU CITY – As artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and automation reshape technical work, engineering graduates face a challenge that goes beyond passing professional licensure examinations: acquiring the skills to apply their knowledge in an increasingly technology-driven workplace.

For universities, the task is to prepare students not only to meet the standards of board examinations but also to adapt to evolving industrial requirements, work across disciplines and make decisions that protect public safety and serve communities.

Engr. Susana Tan, chair of the Electronics Engineering Department of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U), said they have incorporated emerging technologies into elective subjects as part of its efforts to keep its curriculum abreast of developments in electronics.

‘We have elective subjects, and these elective subjects already integrate those trends like AI, machine learning, and even advanced automation,’ Tan said.

She added that they also work with industry partners to provide on-the-job training, giving students opportunities to gain exposure to professional environments and practical applications, she said.

The approach reflects a wider challenge for engineering education as technological advances change the competencies required in the workplace. Technical foundations remain essential, but graduates must also be prepared to learn new systems, apply their knowledge to real-world problems and work with professionals from other disciplines.

In Central Visayas, engineering positions appear alongside manufacturing and service-sector occupations in the region’s reported job vacancies, providing a snapshot of the range of employment opportunities available to jobseekers.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region VII’s Labor Market Information bulletin dated October 16, 2026, listed 155 vacancies for electrical engineers and 150 for mechanical engineers in data from its PESO Employment Information System (PEIS) and PhilJobNet for October 9 to 15.

Electrical engineering ranked third among the 10 listed occupations, while mechanical engineering placed fourth.

Preparing engineers for work beyond the classroom

Dr. Evangeline Evangelista, dean of CIT-U’s College of Engineering and Architecture, said the university aims to develop graduates whose competencies extend beyond preparation for licensure examinations.

She identified transdisciplinary thinking, ethical conduct, professional competence, nationalism, an outcomes-oriented mindset and lifelong learning among the attributes the university seeks to instill in its graduates.

Transdisciplinary learning, she explained, means graduates should be able to contribute beyond the specific discipline in which they were trained and participate in activities that address broader community needs.

Excellence carries professional responsibility

Rohan Ardiente placed first nationwide in the October 2026 Electronics Engineers Licensure Examination, earning a rating of 95.80 percent. The result followed his second-place finish in the March 2026 Electronics Technician Licensure Examination, making him a two-time top placer in professional licensure examinations within the year.

His latest achievement brought the university’s tally of first-place finishes in professional licensure examinations to 98, according to CIT-U.

The university also recognized mining engineering graduates Alliah Mae Diginion, who placed fourth, and Kurt Bhen Casero, who ranked eighth in the October 2026 Mining Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination.

The Mining Engineering Department was also recognized among the top six performing schools in the October 2026 examination.

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While these accomplishments demonstrate academic achievement, CIT-U Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Corazon Evangelista Valencia said professional distinction also carries responsibilities that extend beyond personal and institutional recognition.

‘Every achievement has a visible height and an unseen depth,’ Valencia said, referring to the preparation, sacrifices and sustained effort behind the graduates’ accomplishments.

She emphasized that electronics engineers help support systems on which communities increasingly depend, making reliability, safety and responsible innovation central to their work.

Mining engineers, meanwhile, must consider the safety of workers, the welfare of communities and the responsible stewardship of natural resources.

‘Your fields are different. Your duty to the public is shared,’ Valencia told the graduates.

She urged them to exercise sound judgment, seek guidance when confronted with problems beyond their experience and raise concerns when safety requires it.

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How dry spell left Kagadi farmers counting losses as rains return

Farmers in Kagadi District, Bunyoro Sub-region are counting losses after a prolonged dry spell, lasting more than three months destroyed crops, disrupted household incomes and left many families uncertain about how to meet basic needs, including food and school fees.

The losses come as the rainy season sets in, raising hopes of a fresh planting season, but offering little relief to farmers whose crops have already dried up.

Farmers say the return of rain cannot revive the beans, groundnuts and sorghum that withered before maturity, leaving them to start afresh despite having invested heavily in the previous season.

Mr Gideon Bizimana, a resident of Wabinyama in Rubirizi Parish, Mpeefu Sub-county, invested in two acres of beans, but was forced to replant maize after the crop dried up.

He said many farmers began planting in July in anticipation of rains expected in early August. However, the anticipated rainfall did not materialise through September, exposing crops to prolonged sunshine and leaving gardens dry.

He added that some farmers had borrowed money to finance their gardens, increasing fears of debt, loss of property and further financial hardship after the failed harvest.

‘Previously, I had planted beans, but the dry spell destroyed the entire garden. I had no option but to replant maize that would catch up with the rains,’ he said.

Mr Bizimana said he spent about Shs720,000 on preparing the garden, buying seeds and paying labourers, but lost the investment when the beans failed.

Beans have been his main source of income for the past 10 years, but the latest loss has left him struggling to identify an alternative source of money.

He attributed the changing weather patterns partly to forest destruction, saying continued clearing of forest cover for farming and charcoal burning could be contributing to the worsening conditions.

He is now relying on coffee sales, although he says the crop has also been affected by prolonged sunshine and declining prices.

According to him, the price of dried coffee has fallen from Shs8,000 to Shs5,000, while processed coffee has dropped from Shs11,000 to Shs7,800.

Mr Biziimana had used funds from the Parish Development Model to establish his coffee enterprise and expected to begin repaying the money in the current financial year. However, the losses have complicated his repayment plans as he struggles to provide food, medical care and school fees for his family.

For Ms Chance Asiimwe Tusingwire, a farmer who invested in an acre of beans, the failed season has put her education plans at risk.

‘I expected the output to facilitate my first semester as I continued to plan, but the drought has left me stranded,’ she said.

Mr Peter Nzabonimpa, the chairperson of Rwensenene A in Rwabaranga Parish, Mpeefu Sub-county, said the prolonged dry spell also affected his fish farming enterprise after water levels in his four fish ponds almost dried.

‘When the dry spell lasted for about four months, water volumes reduced, causing the death of my fish,’ he said.

Mr Nzabonimpa said fish sales would normally generate about Shs800,000, money he uses to support the education of his three children and meet other household expenses.

He added that his bee-keeping enterprise has also suffered because bees struggle to find nectar during prolonged dry conditions, reducing honey production.

‘I would earn Shs600,000 from two jerrycans of honey in normal seasons. This would supplement my seasonal earnings. Now that I have only registered losses, life is tricky until the next season,’ he said.

Mr Desire Mpalana, the principal agricultural officer in Kagadi District, urged farmers to embrace small-scale irrigation systems to reduce their dependence on rainfall and protect their crops during prolonged dry periods.

He said the destruction of forests for charcoal burning and farming had contributed to environmental degradation, warning that farmers needed to reconsider their agricultural practices in response to changing weather patterns.

Media Must Promote Constructive Engagement – FG

The Federal Government has urged the media to promote economic accountability, public understanding and constructive engagement to support Nigeria’s growth and translate the country’s resources into jobs and improved living standards.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call at the 2026 News Agency of Nigeria and Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Week in Abuja on Wednesday .

Idris, represented by the Deputy Director of Public Communication and National Orientation, Oluwatosin Lawal, said responsible journalism was critical to helping Nigerians understand government policies and their implications for economic development.

The event, themed ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Economic Potential for Greater Prosperity’, brought together government officials, economists and media professionals to discuss ways of accelerating economic growth.

Delivering the guest lecture, Dr Abdul Ibrahim of the Department of Economics, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, called for increased investment in local processing, reliable electricity and affordable credit for small businesses.

He said Nigeria was losing economic opportunities by exporting raw materials and importing finished products.

‘When we export our critical raw materials, what we are simply doing is contributing to the economy of other countries and creating employment opportunities elsewhere,’ Ibrahim said.

He urged the government to establish processing facilities for solid minerals and other natural resources to create jobs and retain more value within the country.

The economist identified inadequate electricity, inconsistent government policies, multiple taxation and insecurity as major obstacles to investment and economic growth.

He also called for increased investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, vocational training and affordable financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ibrahim urged journalists to strengthen economic reporting, publicise investment opportunities and hold public officials accountable for budget implementation.

He identified agriculture, technology and solid minerals as sectors capable of driving growth, stressing the need for policies that would enable Nigeria to derive greater value from its resources.

He proposed a partnership among academics, journalists and the government, saying research should inform public debate, journalism should promote accountability, and the government should translate evidence-based ideas into policies.

‘Prosperity is not an accident but a decision, and we must act now,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said Nigeria could accelerate economic growth by harnessing its natural resources and the expertise, investments and international connections of Nigerians living abroad.

Dabiri-Erewa, represented by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said these opportunities should be converted into wealth, jobs and improved living standards.

She urged the media to promote investment, innovation and accountability, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to working with NAN to advance journalism and national development.

In her keynote address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, described credible economic reporting as a public service.

Oduwole, represented by the Deputy Director and Head of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Augustina Okechi, said journalists had an important role in helping Nigerians understand government policies and programmes.

She urged reporters to go beyond announcing government initiatives by explaining how citizens and businesses could benefit from them.

‘When we announce a financial programme, help the entrepreneur understand how to access it. When we launch a trade initiative, help the exporter understand what it means for their business. When we report investment commitments, follow the story through to completion,’ she said.

The minister urged journalists to ask difficult questions, examine evidence and hold the government accountable for results.

She said economic reporting could bring opportunities to communities that might otherwise miss them, while scrutiny could expose gaps requiring government intervention.

Oduwole added that government and the public would benefit from economic discussions informed by evidence, balanced reporting and independent judgement.

She acknowledged the economic pressures facing Nigerian households and businesses, saying the challenges should guide government decisions and the urgency of its actions.

‘We must translate our resources into productive industries, our talent into opportunities, our investment into jobs, and our trade relationships into tangible benefits for Nigerians,’ she said.

She called for collective action by the government, private sector, development partners and media organisations to build an economy in which more Nigerians could participate and prosper.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof Matthew Olumide Adepoju, called for sustained investment in space science and technology to support economic growth, national security and industrial development.

Adepoju, represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Corporate Communication, Felix Ale, said satellite technology could improve agriculture, telecommunications, healthcare, transportation and environmental management.

He also called for stronger collaboration between scientific institutions and the media to improve public understanding of space technology.

The Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Hajiya Hadiza Aliyu, who represented the Managing Director, Mallam Ali M. Ali, described the press week as an opportunity for professional development and engagement on national issues.

She urged journalists to broaden their knowledge of different sectors to improve the quality of their reporting.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mrs Grace Ike, represented by Henry Abimike, said the event provided an opportunity for journalists to strengthen professional relationships.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NAN NUJ Headquarters Chapel, Collins Yakubu Hammer, said Nigeria’s natural resources, youthful population and entrepreneurial spirit offered significant opportunities for economic growth.

He urged journalists to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity while promoting constructive policy dialogue and holding institutions accountable.

Hammer disclosed that the chapel began the press week with a visit to an orphanage in Farmagidi, where members donated food, toiletries and other consumables.

He added that the programme would include a fitness walk on Friday to promote journalists’ well-being.

AG indicts Namal Rajapaksa on 24 charges over Airbus deal

The Attorney General has filed an indictment comprising 24 charges against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, over alleged bribery in connection with the Airbus transaction, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court was informed yesterday.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara told Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that the indictment lists 59 witnesses.

The Chief Magistrate ordered that Rajapaksa be kept in custody until he is produced before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (28).

AG indicts

Delivering the order, the Magistrate said that since the indictment had already been filed before the Trial-at-Bar, the Magistrate’s Court could no longer issue any judicial order concerning the suspect in the case, including one granting bail or remanding him. The Magistrate added that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify releasing Rajapaksa on bail.

The five forces that will decide Nigeria’s 2027 election

NIGERIA’S 2027 election will not be won by manifestos alone. It will be won or lost on five familiar forces – gimmicks, betrayal, money bag, vote buying and structure. The APC enters the race as the incumbency party. Its strength lies in controlling federal power, over 22 governors, federal appointments and the security architecture. It has the deepest financial arsenal and the easiest access to state resources for logistics. Its main gimmick is continuity, selling the Renewed Hope agenda. Its weakness is that it carries the burden of economic hardship. Inflation, the pressure on the naira and the price of fuel make it vulnerable to anti-incumbency anger. Inside the party, betrayal is already brewing as ministers and governors position themselves for 2027. If it can hold its governors together and bring down food and fuel prices before the second quarter of 2027, it will be difficult to beat. If hardship persists and the northern bloc defects, money alone cannot save it. The PDP comes in as a wounded giant. It still has the oldest national structure with presence in every local government, and experienced canvassers who understand retail vote buying. But it is the worst hit by betrayal. Since 2023, it has suffered mass defections to the APC and is torn between the Wike and Atiku camps with no clear presidential candidate. Its propaganda sounds tired to many voters. Unless it resolves its leadership crisis by December 2026 and presents a fresh face, its structure will remain only on paper.

The Labour Party and the Obidient Movement remain the organic base. Their strength is the youth, urban voters and a powerful social media machine. They are perceived as the most sincere and they proved in 2023 that they can win Lagos, Abuja and the South-East without a traditional structure. Their weakness is the lack of governors and local government foot soldiers to protect votes, and they cannot match APC and PDP cash in rural areas where elections are actually won. They are also prone to ego-driven betrayals. If BVAS and IReV work transparently and youth turnout jumps from 30 percent to 55 percent, they can cause an upset. If the election becomes a cash-at-the-polling-unit contest, they will collapse. The real game is the NNPP and ADC coalition, the third force alliance. The talks around Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, El-Rufai and Amaechi coming together under ADC is significant because their combined votes in 2023 were over 50 percent. Their propaganda is simple – rescue Nigeria from APC. Their biggest weakness is betrayal. Who steps down for who? Who gets the ticket and how is the money bag shared? Nigerians have seen such coalitions betray voters after winning. If they agree on one candidate by mid-2026 and do not field parallel candidates, they become the main threat to APC. If they fail, they split the opposition vote and hand APC victory. On a pure analytical projection based on money, structure, betrayal tolerance and financial capacity, APC holds 45 to 50 percent advantage. A united opposition coalition under ADC would hold 25 to 30 percent, PDP alone 12 to 15 percent, Labour alone 10 to 12 percent, and NNPP and others 3 to 5 percent. If the opposition remains divided as it is today, APC wins with a 40 to 45 percent plurality because the opposition splits 55 percent. If the opposition unites, the race becomes 50-50 and a second round is possible.

Six indices will make or mar any vote in 2027. First is the money bag index. In rural Nigeria, ten to N20,000 at the polling unit overrides television debates. Second is the betrayal and defection index. Governors and National Assembly members defecting in the last 90 days moved 15 to 20 percent of state votes with them. Third is the INEC technology index. If BVAS and IReV work without glitches, vote buying drops by 40 percent. If network fails, manual rigging returns. Fourth is the ethno-religious gimmick index. Muslim-Muslim, North-South balancing still moves 20 percent of votes in the North West and South East. Fifth is the youth turnout versus hunger index. When hunger is high, people collect money and vote for the highest bidder. When hope is high, youth ignore money. Sixth is incumbent control of state apparatus, who controls police, INEC RECs and CBN cash release in the final 48 hours. In one sentence, 2027 will not be won by who is most sincere, but by who can combine sincerity propaganda with betrayal management, money bag depth and structure to protect the vote after buying it.

What we must do to make 2027 free, fair and sustainable.

Voter awareness is higher than ever: Nigerians no longer vote blindly. From market women to students, people now ask about candidates’ track record. The Labour/Obidient wave in 2023 proved sincerity of purpose can challenge money bag. Technology has come to stay: BVAS ended ballot box snatching. IReV made polling unit results visible on your phone. For the first time, rigging must be more sophisticated. Decentralization of power: States now control electricity, more of their resources. Elections are no longer just about President – Governorship and State Assembly matter more. This reduces do-or-die at centre. Youth and women participation: Under-35 are 65% of registered voters. More women, creatives, and diaspora are engaging, funding, and observing. Propaganda is no longer one-way – citizens fact-check on social media instantly.

What is weakening us: Monetisation of politics. Campaign has become pure money market. Delegate buying, polling unit vote buying of N5,000 to N20,000, stomach infrastructure. The richest, not the best, win primaries. This locks out good people. Betrayal and defection without ideology:

Politicians jump party every election cycle. PDP to APC to ADC not because of principle but because of ticket. Party manifesto means nothing. Voters get betrayed after voting. Weak party discipline: Parties are platforms to grab ticket, not to build ideology. No membership register, no dues, no training. So when one candidate loses primary, he betrays party and moves. Propaganda over performance: Campaigns use religion, tribe, fake news, deepfake videos instead of real plans for jobs, power, security. Emotional gimmicks win over facts. Politicians keep people poor so they can buy them cheap on election day. This is the ugliest – weaponizing hunger. Violence and intimidation: Thugs at polling units, attacks on INEC staff, suppression in opponent strongholds. Fear makes people stay home. Institutional capture: When INEC, Police, Judiciary are seen as aligned with incumbent, people lose faith. Once faith is lost, anarchy comes. Monetized Betrayal: Godfatherism – sponsors invest billions and demand refund with interest after winning. Public funds become private repayment.

This is the way forward for 2027 and beyond:

Kill vote buying at source. CBN and EFCC must track bulk cash withdrawals 72 hours to election. EFCC undercover officers at polling units, not just observation. Make vote buying a disqualifying offence, not just fine. If you buy vote, you lose ticket. Fix party system. INEC should enforce electronic party registers and direct primaries. If you did not pay dues for 12 months, you cannot be delegate. Law to stop defection six months to election unless you resign seat. This ends political prostitution.

Protect technology. Mandate by law: No manual collation without BVAS accreditation. BVAS failure = election rescheduled, not manual voting. INEC must publish IReV results in real time and keep server logs open to party agents. Reduce cost of politics. Cap campaign spending and enforce it. Free airtime on NTA, FRCN for all parties by law, so money does not equal airtime. Diaspora and crowdfunding must be legalized and transparent – so good candidates can raise small money from many, not big money from few. National Orientation Agency, churches, mosques, unions must teach people: Collecting N10k today means paying N10m in bad governance for four years. Debates must be mandatory – if you don’t show up for 2 national debates, your name removed.

Post-election justic: Election tribunal must conclude before swearing-in. Justice delayed is what fuels betrayal and violence. If result is proven to be manipulated, INEC officer and party agent must face jail, not just rerun. In one line: The good is that Nigerians now care. The bad is that the system still rewards money over merit. The Ugly is that we are normalizing poverty-for-votes. For 2027 to be free and fair, we must make it more expensive to buy votes than to win by ideas, and more costly to betray the people than to serve them. ý

CCC, Prime Infra partner for resilience

THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Prime Infra, a leading infrastructure developer and operator of critical assets, are combining government policy expertise and private-sector capabilities to strengthen climate resilience, ecological stewardship, and local capacity building.

The two parties signed an umbrella Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony at the Prime Infra head office recently to strengthen climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The partnership will support the implementation of national climate priorities, including the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

In his message, Prime Infra President and Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Lucci emphasized the importance of integrating climate resilience into the company’s businesses and operations.

‘Whether it is dealing with watersheds and securing water supply for our customers, or addressing emissions through our waste management processes, or ensuring that our projects truly make a positive impact on the communities where we operate, climate resilience is something we take as a central element and very seriously,’ Lucci said.

Prime Infra operates across three core sectors: essential utilities, energy security, and energy transition. Its businesses span water supply, waste management, natural gas, power generation, and pumped storage hydropower, with ecological stewardship and community development forming part of its approach to developing and operating critical infrastructure.

‘The partnership that this agreement fosters is a great combination between the CCC’s leadership in driving the mandate and initiatives of the government and our experience in developing and operating projects,’ Lucci said.

Under the MOU, areas of cooperation include capacity-building initiatives for local government units (LGUs) to strengthen their Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs). These efforts also aim to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation measures into local development plans and programs.

This includes building capacity to access climate financing such as the People’s Survival Fund, building capacity for greenhouse gas inventories, and supporting watershed protection through Prime Infra’s sustainability platform, Prime Kalikasan.

‘The private sector plays a vital role in protecting local communities from the impacts of climate change. Through partnerships that mobilize private sector expertise, resources, and innovation, we can strengthen community resilience and support climate solutions that respond to local needs. By working together, we can turn national climate priorities into concrete action that protects lives and livelihoods,’ CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said for his part.

The CCC is the country’s lead policymaking body on climate change pursuant to the Climate Change Act of 2009. It coordinates and evaluates government programs on climate change, and works to mainstream climate policies into national, sectoral, and local development planning.

Following the MOU signing, Lucci and Borje also signed the Memorandum of Agreement for Prime Infra’s support of the Philippine Hub at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Before banning charcoal, government must make clean energy accessible

Uganda is at a turning point in its energy development. Millions of households still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking even in the face of ample renewable energy alternatives.

Therefore, rather than mainly depending on laws and regulations against the manufacturing and trade of charcoal, the nation must expedite the transition to cheap, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Significant renewable energy potential, including hydropower, solar, biomass, and geothermal resources, has been discovered by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, nearly 89 percent of households relied on charcoal or firewood for cooking, while about 62 percent of homes utilised firewood as their primary source. Serious health, environmental, and financial issues are brought about by this reliance.

Deforestation, soil deterioration, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions are the results of the unsustainable harvesting of trees for charcoal and firewood.

According to past government-related predictions, the annual loss of forest cover is said to be over 122,000 hectares, while the actual amount varies according on the process and review period.

Additionally, women, children, and other family members are exposed to hazardous substances associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases while they are around residential smoke.

However, Uganda’s reliance on imported petroleum makes it susceptible to fluctuations in world prices, foreign exchange pressures, and supply disruptions. These issues will likely worsen as the population increases, urbanisation occurs, and industrial energy consumption rises.

Uganda must therefore transform its potential for renewable energy into useful domestic and commercial uses. Homes, schools, hospitals, and companies can all receive electricity from solar photovoltaic systems, especially in places outside of the national grid.

While biogas may turn organic waste, agricultural wastes, and animal manure into usable cooking fuel, hydropower can produce significant amounts of electricity. When dependable distribution networks and reasonable costs are guaranteed, ethanol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can offer substitutes.

Furthermore, electric cooking can lessen reliance on charcoal, especially when cost-effective appliances are supported by stable power and affordable prices. Acceptance is still challenging, though, because households must cope with significant initial appliance costs, restricted credit availability, unreliable energy in some areas, and the ongoing supply of cheap charcoal.

Therefore, the government must combine community demonstrations, reasonable finance, targeted subsidies, and dependable supply chains with public education. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed Executive Order No. 3 on May 19, 2023, limiting the usage and sale of charcoal in some northern and eastern areas.

When police stepped up enforcement in October 2026, lawmakers expressed worry about the availability of reasonably priced alternatives. Following that, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Jacob Marksons Oboth, ordered a temporary halt to enforcement while the government provided an explanation.

The matter highlights a crucial policy lesson: when citizens lack access to workable alternatives, constraints are unlikely to be sustainable.

In addition to a specific energy rate intended to stimulate electric cooking, State Minister for Minerals Phiona Nyamutooro has listed LPG, electric cooking, ethanol, and biogas as alternatives that the government plans to promote.

Policymakers should encourage local manufacturing and distribution of clean cooking technologies, set quantifiable annual targets for the adoption of clean cooking, the deployment of renewable energy, and the restoration of forests, and offer targeted help to low-income households.

Opportunities to move into sustainable forestry, tree planting, biogas generation, and clean energy distribution should also be provided to charcoal producers and merchants.

Another chance to show greener transportation, lower petroleum costs, and assess operational benefits prior to broader deployment is provided by Uganda’s proposed use of electric vehicles for police patrols.

To improve accountability, the government should release yearly data on the amount of power produced from renewable sources, the amount of fuel used for household cooking, the cost of technology, the reduction of emissions, and the recovery of forests.

Finally, Uganda possesses the natural resources and legal system needed to embark on its energy revolution. The main goal is to make renewable energy affordable, dependable, and available to the general public.

Uganda must respond swiftly to help affected livelihoods, make sure that environmental protection advances alongside economic and public welfare, and develop alternatives before imposing restrictions.

EDB business clinics target export readiness of North Western SMEs

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has held a series of export-oriented business clinics in the North Western Province, attracting more than 100 participants across the Kurunegala and Puttalam districts.

The clinics, held on 11 September in Kurunegala and on 16 October in Puttalam, were organised by the EDB’s North Western Provincial Office together with District and Divisional Secretariat Offices. They targeted export-oriented SMEs in sectors including coconut and coconut-based products, spices, food and beverages, ornamental fish, cut flowers and foliage, textiles and apparel, and handicrafts. Export Development Officers (EDOs) stationed in District and Divisional Secretariat Offices in both districts supported the program.

The program aimed to bridge the knowledge gap among regional SMEs. It offered tailored advice on export-related challenges, raised awareness of export procedures and requirements, and sought to strengthen participants’ business capabilities and export readiness.

Kurunegala District Secretary D.M.K.C. Dissanayake and Kurunegala Additional District Secretary (Lands) Niluka K. Jayawardhana attended the Kurunegala program, while the Puttalam program was organised with the Chilaw Divisional Secretariat Office.

Officials from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Industrial Development Board (IDB), Small Enterprise Development Division (SEDD), National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) and financial institutions held one-on-one advisory sessions with entrepreneurs. The sessions addressed specific product and business development needs and provided information on available support services. Entrepreneurs were also able to connect with providers of export-quality packaging and labelling, logistics, certification, and testing and inspection services. Participant feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction with the arrangements, the EDB said.

The EDB plans follow-up activities with participants to identify their specific needs, assess areas requiring further assistance and facilitate appropriate support. The aim is to ensure continuity of support beyond the clinics and ultimately increase the contribution of regional enterprises to national exports.