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NNPCL to resume oil exploration in Borno

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has secured a fresh commitment from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to resume oil exploration activities in the state.

Governor Zulum announced the breakthrough on Wednesday after hosting a high-level NNPCL delegation, led by Board Chairman Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The strategic meeting focused on bolstering energy development and jump-starting exploratory drilling within the Borno (Lake Chad) Basin.

Governor Zulum noted that Borno possesses enormous commercial hydrocarbon potential and shares borders with three countries.

He expressed optimism that resuming the exploration drive would fundamentally transform the state’s economy and unlock vast regional wealth.

However, this renewed push for exploration in the Lake Chad Basin came at a time when President Bola Tinubu signed Executive Order 9, which halted the NNPCL from deducting the 30% Frontier Exploration Fund at source and redirected all oil and gas revenues into the Federation Account.

The policy shift stripped the national oil company of its authority to manage or retain the 30% profit oil and gas allocation previously designated for frontier exploration under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Critics warn that altering the funding mechanism could slow down capital-intensive projects in northern inland basins, including Kolmani in the Gongola Basin, the Bida Basin, the Benue Trough, and Lake Chad.

While welcoming the renewed oil exploration commitments, Governor Zulum did not shy away from pressing the NNPCL leadership on critical local infrastructure. He voiced deep concern over the protracted delay in upgrading the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.

The Governor expressed dismay that despite necessary materials having been on-site for approximately two years, the critical project, designed to stabilize and improve electricity supply to Maiduguri and its environs, remains incomplete.

He urged the NNPCL management to intervene decisively to ensure the swift completion of the plant, underscoring its direct impact on the socio-economic well-being of the state’s citizens.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, Engr. Kida assured Governor Zulum of the company’s readiness to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin.

He also promised to address the bottlenecks stalling the emergency power plant project, while commending the Governor for creating a secure and investment-friendly environment in the state.

Treasury targets graft in schools with shift to public tenders portal

Schools are set to be added to the electronic public procurement portal (e-GP), in a fresh push to curb graft and expose beneficiaries of public contracts worth billions of shillings annually.

The rollout will shift school tenders from fragmented manual processes to a centralised online system linked to the government’s financial and administrative databases, raising hopes of transparency and closure of loopholes that have clouded procurement in public learning institutions.

Treasury says the e-GP platform, which was launched in July 2025, has been linked to the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), Business Registration Services, e-Citizen and the iTax system, connecting procurement activities with key government operations.

‘Next steps will include full rollout to schools and other procuring entities yet to onboard to the e-GP system,’ the Treasury said.

The reform could strengthen scrutiny of how schools spend public money, including the Sh92.3 billion allocated to basic education capitation in the current 2026/27 financial year.

The allocation comprises Sh54.6 billion for free day secondary education, Sh30.7 billion for junior secondary schools and Sh7 billion for free primary education.

These funds are channelled through the Ministry of Education based on school enrolment numbers recorded in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), and are spent on approved operational and instructional needs. NEMIS is a web-based data management solution used by governments to collect, process, and report real-time data from educational institutions.

They finance textbooks, laboratory supplies, classroom renovations, sanitation facilities, electricity, water, co-curricular activities and other essential school operations.

Digitising procurement could make it easier to trace suppliers, compare prices and scrutinise contract awards for goods and services bought using public funds.

The reform comes amid longstanding concerns over disclosure of tender winners in public schools, where procurement deals have faced allegations of predetermined awards and limited visibility into the firms benefiting from public spending.

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has previously attributed non-compliance with disclosure requirements partly to a shortage of procurement professionals in schools, undermining adherence to public procurement regulations.

The authority has advised institutions without in-house procurement specialists to outsource the services to help them meet legal requirements.

The government’s latest plan also follows scrutiny of school uniform procurement, where complaints have emerged that some secondary schools compel parents to buy uniforms from designated suppliers at inflated prices.

In a February 5, 2026 letter to principals, PPRA Director-General Patrick Wanjuki directed national and extra-county schools to disclose uniform suppliers, quantities supplied, prices charged and the tendering process behind contract awards.

‘To facilitate the audit, you are required to provide the list of all suppliers that supplied school uniforms in the financial year 2025/2026,’ Mr Wanjuki said, directing schools to upload contracts and supporting documents to the Public Procurement Information Portal (PPIP).

The regulator warned that schools failing to comply could be referred to investigative agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

School uniforms are bought by parents and are not financed through government capitation. The scrutiny, however, illustrates the wider concerns surrounding supplier selection, pricing and disclosure in school procurement.

The PPIP already publishes public tender notices, contract awards, supplier identities and market prices for commonly procured items.

The e-GP system is expected to deepen the digitisation of procurement processes across government entities.

Treasury says the passage of the Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which President William Ruto declined to sign into law in July, will strengthen transparency and accountability through mandatory disclosure requirements, tougher regulatory enforcement and a stronger legal basis for electronic procurement.

In returning the Bill to Parliament, Dr Ruto warned that strict local sourcing requirements, including provisions structuring multibillion-shilling contracts around local joint ventures, could undermine Kenya’s investment climate and conflict with existing procurement laws.

MPs must now reconsider the reservations, amend the Bill or seek to override the veto with a two-thirds majority.

The proposed changes in the Bill also seek to promote local content and preference schemes for youth, women and persons with disabilities, while strengthening sanctions against procuring entities that fail to comply with procurement standards.

The Treasury says that 1,543 procuring entities had registered on e-GP, alongside more than 40,000 suppliers. The system had closed 7,355 tenders and published 1,497 contracts by the time the data was compiled in August 2026.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (B)

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1010hPa (hectopascal)

Barometric low is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly cloudy with rain showers and isolated thunderstorms, but later in he afternoon all phenomena become isolated and tonight isolated showers are likely. IN STORM THE WIND IS EXPECTED TO BE VARIABLE STRENGTHENING, WITH RISK GUSTING TO 7 TO 8 BEAUFORT.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon

South to Southwest 4 to 5, at times Southwest to West 5 to 6

Moderate

Night

West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times 4 to 5

Slight to Moderate, at times Moderate

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4, gradually West to Northwest

Slight to Moderate, gradually Slight

South Coast

Afternoon

Southeast to Southwest 4 to 5, gradually Southwest to West 5 to 6

Slight to Moderate, gradually Moderate

Night

Southwest to West 4 to 5, gradually Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Slight to Moderate

Morning

Northwest to North 3 to 4, later Southeast to Southwest 3

Slight

East Coast

Afternoon

Southeast to Southwest 4 to 5, at times 5 to 6

Slight to Moderate

Night

Southwest 4 to 5, gradually Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Slight

Morning

Southwest to Northwest 3, at times 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times Slight

North Coast

Afternoon

Southeast to Southwest 4 to 5, at times 5 to 6

Slight to Moderate

Night

Southwest to West 4 to 5, soon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Slight to Moderate

Morning

Variable 3, gradually Northwest to Northeast

Slight

From Food Waste to Food Security: Can We Afford to Throw Food Away?

Open your refrigerator at the end of the week, and you will find the evidence. A bunch of coriander gone slimy, half a pumpkin nobody got around to cooking, a container of rice from Sunday that no one trusts anymore. Each item feels too small to matter. Together, they add up to one of the strangest habits of modern life: we spend real money to grow, transport and buy food, and then we throw a surprising amount of it away.

The size of the problem

The United Nations Environment Programme estimated that the world wasted about 1.05 billion tonnes of food in 2022. That is roughly a fifth of all the food available to consumers. The biggest share, around 60 percent, came from households, not from farms or factories. Restaurants, hotels, canteens and retail shops made up most of the rest.

Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of people still go to bed hungry. Wasted food is not only a moral awkwardness. It is a waste of everything that went into making it: farmland, irrigation water, fertiliser, diesel for tractors and trucks, electricity for cold storage, and the labour of farmers who often earn very little. When food ends up rotting in a landfill, it also releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Food loss and waste is widely estimated to account for somewhere between 8 and 10 percent of global emissions. If it were a country, it would be one of the largest polluters on the planet.

What it costs at home

In our households, wasted food is simply money in the bin. Prices of vegetables, rice, dairy, and protein have climbed in many places, and families are stretching their budgets harder than before. Yet the cheapest saving available is often the food you already bought.

There are no permanent fixtures. But we can try out a short meal plan before we shop, even just four or five dinners for the week, and check the fridge and pantry before leaving the house. Buy what the plan needs, not what looks tempting. Once home, store food in a way that gives it a fighting chance. Keep leaves wrapped in a damp cloth, keep herbs upright in a glass of water, and store onions and potatoes in a cool, dark, separate place, because they spoil each other. Move older items to the front so they get eaten first. Freeze bread, cooked rice portions, and overripe bananas before they turn.

Learn the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘use by.’ The first is about quality, the second about safety. Many people throw out perfectly good food because of a misunderstanding about a date on the packet.

And cook with leftovers on purpose. Yesterday’s curry becomes a filling for rotti. Stale bread becomes toast crumbs or pudding. Vegetable peels and stalks make a decent stock. A family that wastes less food can easily save a meaningful amount every month without eating any worse.

Markets, hotels and restaurants

Apart from the kitchen, waste follows different patterns. At wholesale and retail markets, produce is lost to heat, rough handling, poor packaging and slow transport. A tomato that bruises on a long bumpy ride is often sold cheaply or dumped before it reaches a shopper. Better crates, shaded stalls, simple cold storage and faster routes from farm to market can cut those losses sharply. Vendors who discount slightly tired produce at the end of the day, rather than throwing it out, recover some income and give buyers a bargain.

Hotels and restaurants face a harder balance. Buffets are the classic offender, because guests pile their plates high and abandon what they cannot finish, while kitchens prepare extra to avoid ever running out. Some venues now measure what goes into the bin, and the results are often a shock. Once staff can see which dishes are discarded most, they can adjust portion sizes, cook in smaller batches through the service, and design menus around ingredients that overlap. Many hotels that track waste report lower food costs within a few months, which is the kind of result that gets a manager’s attention.

Donation and composting

When surplus food is still safe, the best option is to feed people. Community kitchens, charities and food banks can redirect meals that would otherwise be wasted, but donation works best when it is organised. That means clear handling rules, quick pickup, and a simple understanding of who is responsible if something goes wrong. Fear of legal trouble stops many businesses from giving, so sensible protections for good faith donors matter.

What cannot be eaten should still not go to waste. Composting turns scraps, peels, and spoiled leftovers into soil that feeds gardens instead of encouraging methane production. A simple bin in a backyard, a community compost site, or a local farmer who collects food scraps for animal feed or fertiliser can close the loop.

Why policy and business should care

This is not a personal project. Governments can set waste reduction targets, support cold chain investment, standardise date labels and encourage composting. Businesses that cut waste cut their costs, and investors increasingly look at the environmental record of food companies.

So, can we afford to throw food away? The simple answer is no. We pay for it at the till, again in resources, and again in the damage to our climate. The good news is that the solution begins in a very ordinary place. So the next time you open the fridge, look carefully before you toss anything out.

Oil, gas industry must benefit Tanzanians, says VP

Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi has called for Tanzania’s oil and gas industry to deliver greater benefits to Tanzanians, particularly young people and local businesses, as the country seeks to build a $1 trillion economy by 2050.

He said the government and institutions overseeing the sector needed to strengthen local participation by preparing Tanzanians to secure employment, develop businesses and provide services as petroleum projects advance. Mr Ndejembi made the remarks during the signing of four exploration licences for the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), covering Mnazi Bay North, West Songo Songo, Lindi-Mtwara and Eyasi-Wembere.

He said preparations for local participation should begin before major projects reach the implementation stage, allowing Tanzanians to acquire the skills and business capacity needed to compete for opportunities in the industry.

‘We must not wait until projects have started or reached an advanced stage before we begin looking for local content. We need to prepare our young people now so that they can participate when these projects are implemented,’ he said.

Mr Ndejembi cited the example of a Tanzanian entrepreneur who returned from Saudi Arabia, established a company and secured work in the Mnazi Bay gas project.

The company employs more than 50 Tanzanians, including people from the surrounding community.

He said the experience demonstrated how local businesses could participate in petroleum projects and create employment, adding to the case for preparing more Tanzanians to take advantage of opportunities in the sector.

The four licences are intended to strengthen TPDC’s role in exploration and enable the national oil company to participate more directly in the petroleum value chain.

TPDC managing director Mussa Makame said the corporation would seek to ensure that exploration contributed to the country’s broader development objectives.

‘The success of oil and gas exploration should not be measured by discoveries alone, but by the ability to turn these resources into real economic opportunities that generate revenue, jobs, reliable energy and development for the people,’ he said.

Mr Makame said TPDC had undertaken seismic data interpretation in some of the licensed areas to identify locations with potential for further exploration.

The next stages would involve additional assessments, data collection and preparations for drilling, depending on the requirements of each block.

He said the corporation would also prioritise local participation and engagement with communities in areas where exploration activities would take place.

The minister for Energy Dr Juma Homera said the licences marked another stage in the development of Tanzania’s petroleum resources.

He cited the completion of drilling activities in Mnazi Bay, where an exploration well had discovered an estimated 223 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

‘The discovery is very important in the government’s efforts to increase the availability of natural gas for the development of our country,’ he said.

Dr Homera said Tanzania’s estimated natural gas resources stood at 57.54 trillion cubic feet.

The government was expanding the use of gas in electricity generation, industries, households and transport, he added.

By September 2026, Tanzania had 22 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, 20 vehicle-conversion garages and more than 20,000 vehicles using natural gas, according to the minister.

He said 57 industries, 31 institutions and about 3,000 households were also connected to the gas pipeline.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy responsible for oil and gas, Dr James Mataragio, said exploration required substantial capital, modern technology and specialised expertise, making careful planning and cooperation with investors essential.

‘Oil and gas exploration is an activity that requires substantial capital, modern technology and specialised expertise,’ he said.

Dr Mataragio said exploration budgets could range between $15 million and $30 million, with about 70 per cent spent directly on drilling.

He said the government would continue working through the ministry and its institutions to ensure that exploration activities were conducted transparently, complied with the law and served the country’s interests.

Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) director-general Dr Charles Sangweni said the implementation of the licences should support Tanzania’s long-term development objectives.

‘We believe that the implementation of these licences will align with the National Development Vision 2050,’ he said.

Dr Sangweni said PURA would work with the ministry, TPDC and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with legislation, regulations and licence conditions.

Acting TPDC board chairman Peter Allan Kallaghe said the board would oversee the corporation’s activities to ensure that the opportunities were managed responsibly.

‘The board will continue to oversee the corporation’s operations by observing good governance, transparency and financial discipline,’ he said.

Azerbaijan ranks among world’s lowest-debt economies with $89 bln in reserves

Azerbaijan’s external debt position offers a compelling example of how fiscal discipline and accumulated financial reserves can strengthen a country’s economic independence. Thus, currently, Azerbaijan ranks among the world’s top three countries with the lowest external debt relative to gross domestic product (GDP), while holding the leading position in Europe. With the ratio slightly above 5%, Azerbaijan occupies a distinctive position in the international financial landscape. This achievement deserves recognition as a strategic economic advantage, particularly at a time when governments worldwide face rising financing costs and mounting fiscal pressures.

The country’s financial indicators reinforce this position. As of September 30, 2026, Azerbaijan’s external public debt stood at $4.509 billion, while strategic foreign exchange reserves reached $89.381 billion. Reserves were therefore approximately 19.8 times the size of external public debt. The debt figure had declined by 7.8% year-on-year, while strategic reserves had increased by 9.7%. These figures demonstrate the scale of Azerbaijan’s financial buffer and the importance of preserving it through prudent economic management.

The significance of this position extends beyond international rankings. Countries with substantial external obligations must allocate resources to interest payments and debt servicing, leaving less room for infrastructure development, social programmes and economic transformation. Azerbaijan’s relatively low external public debt provides greater flexibility in managing international shocks, responding to changing energy prices and financing strategic priorities. Financial independence creates policy choices, and those choices become especially valuable when global markets experience volatility.

Azerbaijan’s strategic reserves provide an additional layer of protection. The $89.381 billion reserve position offers substantial capacity to support external stability and meet international financial commitments. Combined with comparatively low external public debt, these resources strengthen the country’s ability to withstand periods of weaker export earnings or tighter global credit conditions. The challenge is to maintain this advantage while ensuring that public spending generates measurable economic value.

The next priority should be converting financial strength into broader productive capacity. Azerbaijan’s economy continues to benefit from oil and gas revenues, but long-term prosperity increasingly depends on expanding non-energy industries, developing competitive services and increasing private-sector productivity. In January-September 2026, GDP reached 102.05 billion manats, increasing by 1.5% year-on-year. The non-oil and gas economy grew by 2.6%, while non-oil and gas industry expanded by 5.4%. Transport and storage services increased by 10%, and information and communication services advanced by 11.1%.

These figures point towards sectors capable of supporting a more diversified growth model. Investment in logistics, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, agricultural processing and workforce development could help Azerbaijan generate additional export earnings and create higher-value employment. Low debt provides financial flexibility, while successful diversification can make the economy more resilient over time.

The country’s debt advantage also creates an opportunity to pursue carefully selected development financing. Borrowing can remain useful when it supports projects with credible economic returns, strengthens productive infrastructure or expands export capacity. The objective should be to preserve fiscal space while directing available resources towards investments that increase national income and competitiveness. Every major project should be assessed according to its long-term contribution to productivity, employment and economic diversification.

International comparisons, however, require consistent definitions. External public debt differs from total external debt, which can include obligations owed by banks and private companies. Rankings also depend on the countries included and the methodology applied. Azerbaijan’s reported position among the world’s top three and first in Europe should therefore be attributed to the World Economics data cited by Bayramov, rather than treated as a universal ranking covering every possible debt measure.

Ultimately, Azerbaijan’s low external debt ratio is more than a favourable statistic. It represents financial room for manoeuvre, stronger protection against external shocks and an opportunity to pursue long-term economic priorities from a position of relative strength. The combination of a debt ratio slightly above 5%, $89.381 billion in strategic reserves and $4.509 billion in external public debt provides a substantial foundation for economic security. The defining task ahead is to translate this advantage into diversified production, stronger productivity and rising prosperity for future generations. Azerbaijan has built a considerable financial cushion; the lasting measure of success will be the economic value created from it.

President, tourism industry discuss sweeping reforms

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and tourism industry representatives yesterday discussed a raft of regulatory reforms and expansion plans aimed at earning $ 10 billion in tourism revenue and attracting five million tourists by 2030, the President’s Office said.

Among the proposed reforms, all tourist hotels and accommodation providers would be brought under the relevant legal framework by requiring them to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), with the aim of formalising the industry.

Special attention was also given to introducing laws and regulations to govern businesses run by foreign nationals in Sri Lanka in violation of prescribed legal procedures.

Participants discussed using national parks to support tourism growth, alongside new laws and regulations to protect forest resources.

On expansion, the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat noted that 10 new international airlines had begun flights to Sri Lanka this year, and discussed measures required to increase the number to 50.

Particular attention was given to improving domestic air travel, especially to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya and Jaffna. Progress on global campaigns currently underway to promote Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was also reviewed.

Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Sri Lanka Hotels Association President Ashoka Hettigoda and Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association President Bobby Jordan Hansen were among those present. Members of the task force set up to promote tourism also attended.

First 100 vivo V80 pre-orders get access to ENHYPEN event

The first 100 customers who successfully pre-order the vivo V80 through vivo Philippines e-store will secure a VVIP ticket to the vivo V80 Lights Up Christmas with ENHYPEN JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON on November 12, 2026, at SM Mall of Asia Hall, giving fans a chance to see them in person.

To qualify, customers must place their pre-orders exclusively through shop.vivo.com starting October 26, 2026 until November 8, 2026, and pay a non-refundable Php 1,000 down payment. The offer is limited to the first 100 successful checkouts, with one VVIP ticket allocated per qualifying pre-order.

Customers must pay the remaining balance in full by November 9, 2026. Failure to complete payment by 11:59 pm that day will result in the forfeiture of the reserved ticket, while the initial down payment remains non-refundable.

Following full payment, vivo Philippines will contact qualified customers to coordinate ticket arrangements and verify their identities.

Customers must present a valid ID during verification and bring the same ID and the full order number from their online transaction to the event.

Tickets are strictly non-transferable and tied to the original buyer’s registered ID and order number.

Before the event with ENHYPEN JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON, vivo Philippines will officially launch the vivo V80 on October 30 at 6 pm. The launch will be livestreamed on the official vivo Philippines Facebook page, allowing fans to tune in online and learn more about the vivo V80.

Interested viewers can click ‘Going’ on the event page to receive updates and avoid missing the livestream.

ENHYPEN JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON are among the newest vivo Friends. The November event brings the smartphone brand’s partnership with ENHYPEN JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON members to Filipino fans through an exclusive in-person gathering.

‘ENHYPEN’s fans will have a limited opportunity to see ENHYPEN JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON in person through this event. We encourage interested customers to pre-order through our official vivo e-store and carefully review the payment deadlines and ticket requirements to secure their slot,’ said Liu Lu, vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director.

Pre-orders open October 26 and close November 8, or earlier if all 100 slots are filled. Customers can visit vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, or the vivo website for complete mechanics and launch updates.

Vocational education enrolment in Cyprus at 17.9% against EU’s 52.4%, President says

Only 17.9% of secondary school students in Cyprus are enrolled in vocational education programmes, compared with an EU average of 52.4%, according to the latest European Commission figures, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said in an address at the opening ceremony of the 9th National Skills Competition, SkillsCyprus 2026, on Thursday at the State Fair in Nicosia. The address was delivered on his behalf by Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Marinos Moushouttas.

President Christodoulides noted that Cyprus continues to record low participation rates in vocational education and training compared with other EU member states. He said that while the European Commission’s country-specific recommendations acknowledge Cyprus’ strong economic performance, they also highlight challenges in productivity, innovation and skills.

The Commission, he added, has called for measures to address labour shortages and improve job quality by increasing the participation of vulnerable groups in the labour market and making vocational education and training more accessible and attractive.

“Skills competitions are designed to contribute precisely to this effort,” the President said, stressing the importance of highlighting the career development opportunities offered by technical and vocational professions.

In this context, he referred to the establishment and subsequent expansion of the Technical Gymnasium, describing it as a milestone in Cyprus’ education system that responds to students’ interests and addresses a longstanding gap.

President Christodoulides also stressed the importance of developing digital, green and entrepreneurial skills to equip young people for the demands of the modern labour market.

On artificial intelligence, he noted that technical professions requiring practical work, judgement, adaptability and problem-solving are difficult to fully automate.

“Technology will transform many of these jobs, but it will also increase the need for people with modern technical skills who can make use of new tools,” he said, encouraging young people to consider vocational education and training as a career path with strong prospects.

Competition expands to 18 skill categories

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Deputy Director of the Cyprus Productivity Centre Nicos Philippou said this year’s competition features 18 skill categories, up from 12 in 2024.

He said visitors can take part in practical activities at around 20 “Try a Skill” stations, while presentations by professionals, scholarships and prizes are also part of the programme.

Philippou added that around 25 volunteers are supporting the event for the first time. He also recalled Cyprus’ bronze medal in the team entrepreneurship competition at EuroSkills 2025.

Three-day competition in Nicosia

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SkillsCyprus 2026 is taking place from October 29 to 31 at the State Fair in Nicosia. Organised by the Cyprus Productivity Centre, a department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the competition aims to promote vocational education and encourage young people to pursue technical careers.

Successful participants will have the opportunity to join a preparation programme with a view to representing Cyprus at EuroSkills 2027, scheduled to take place in Dusseldorf, Germany, from September 22 to 26, 2027.

The competition is open to the public.

The Cyprus News Agency is among the event’s media sponsors.

Man arrested for impersonating NSCDC officer to render ‘phone tracking’ services

A 27-year-old man, Yusuf Abdulrazaq allegedly impersonating an officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to render fraudulent phone tracking services has been arrested in Kano.

Abdulrazaq was arrested at Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.

He was arrested while allegedly parading himself as an Assistant Superintendent of Corps I (ASC I), a two-star officer purportedly serving at the Kano State NSCDC Command Headquarters.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano on behalf of the Commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama.

‘Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect allegedly engaged in tracking stolen mobile phones but used the process to extort unsuspecting members of the public’.

The statement warned members of the public to be vigilant and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be an NSCDC operative, particularly individuals demanding money under questionable circumstances.

It reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining public confidence and ensuring that individuals who impersonate security personnel or engage in criminal activities are brought to justice.

According to the statement, the suspect is in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

It urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and cooperate with security agencies to enhance public safety.